Like regular plants, weeds have to undergo the process of seed germination and require plenty of space to spread.
However, if you plant groundcovers in that space, adequate sunlight won’t be able to reach the weeds anymore, and the dense groundcover growth will limit weed spread.
That’s why this article is so important!
I’m going to show you the 12 best groundcovers to keep weeds away from your garden! Let’s get started!
12 Fast-Growing Groundcovers For Weed Control
12) Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping jenny plants are known for their unique, round foliage and vibrant, yellow flowers that grab attention due to their simplicity and elegance.
They’re excellent as groundcover in the garden to make the landscape look fuller and limit weed growth.
Because creeping jenny is a versatile, hardy groundcover, it can thrive in any USDA Hardiness Zone from 3 to 10.
11) Bugleweed
Despite the goofy-sounding name, bugleweed forms a thick mat across the garden and limits weed production effectively.
This groundcover will be fast-growing but also relatively tall. Bugleweed also tends to do well in zones 4-10.
10) Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera)
If you’re looking for a groundcover that’s effective at suppressing weeds but also incredibly vibrant, creeping phlox is a solid choice.
These plants offer clusters of little flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white, adding a striking element to the garden space.
Creeping phlox is hardy so it can perform relatively well in zones 4-8 but won’t be able to do its job in overly cold or hot zones (1-3 and 8+).
9) Stonecrop
Stonecrop is a relatively tough and hardy groundcover that can survive various soil and environmental conditions easily. It grows rapidly and can take over any patchy garden space in no time.
This groundcover is best suited for zones 3-10.
8) Sweet Woodruff
For shady, moist areas, sweet woodruff is the perfect groundcover. It spreads relatively quickly and can cover a lot of area within a short period of time.
Apart from being effective for weed suppression, sweet woodruff foliage and blooms look incredibly attractive and can draw positive attention to your garden.
Depending on the soil and overall climate conditions, anywhere between zone 4-8 should be ideal for planting sweet woodruff as a garden groundcover.
7) Brass Buttons (Cotula coronopifolia)
This dense, low-growing groundcover offers caterpillar skin-like foliage and small yellow flowers that resemble buttons.
It’s drought-tolerant and incredibly resilient, meaning it won’t need much babying and attention once established.
Slightly warmer climate conditions, however, are preferable here, so planting this groundcover in zone 5-10 makes the most sense.
6) Creeping Thyme
This groundcover restrains the growth and spreading abilities of wild weeds while providing a unique, colorful look in the garden.
It offers dense foliage that spreads like a mat in the garden, effectively suppressing weed growth while also beautifying the landscape.
For creeping thyme, zones 2-8 are ideal.
5) Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Creeping juniper has a unique pine needle-like texture that can give your garden landscape a mesmerizing look.
You’ll find this groundcover spreading in a blueish-grey color and it’s a solid choice if you wish to have a productive addition to your garden that’s also visually striking.
Unlike creeping thyme, creeping juniper prefers slightly cooler conditions, so zone 2-7 planting is ideal for this one.
4) Periwinkle
Periwinkles are quick to spread and can cover large areas in no time.
They offer attractive, shiny green foliage as well as purple and blue flowers that add an element of familiarity but also subtle beauty to the garden. If soil erosion is an issue for you, planting periwinkles on slopes can help bring things under control.
Most periwinkle varieties should be able to handle zone 3-9 conditions fairly easily.
3) Hostas
For shaded or partially shaded areas, hostas can serve as an excellent groundcover to suppress weeds and add visual appeal to the garden landscape.
They offer large, colorful foliage and are relatively quick to grow, meaning they can get to work on suppressing weeds in a short period of time.
For hostas, slighter cooler zones (2-7) are perfect.
2) Clovers
Clovers are perhaps the second most popular groundcover after creeping jenny. They’re tried and tested for their resilience and usually come out on top amongst the most ideal groundcovers.
Though they don’t have any particular “visually striking” features, clovers still work wonders for limiting weed growth and have nitrogen-fixing properties that can indirectly improve your garden as a whole.
Most clover varieties would do well in pretty much all zones from 2 or 10.
1) Dichondra
Dichondra have somewhat of a similar appearance to clovers except they’re a tad bit rounder. They spread fast and can reach a decent height of about 2-4 inches, creating an appealing mat that blends in well but also works effectively for covering empty patches and aiding with weed control.
Warmer zones between 8-11 allow dichondra to thrive and spread effectively throughout the garden.
Planting Groundcovers – Some Tips That Will Help!
Avoid This Simple Groundcover Mistake That Could Ruin Your Garden!
In the race to plant the “fastest growing” groundcover, don’t forget that there are invasive species out there that grow and spread too fast which could ruin the overall harmony and visual balance of your garden.
They might also snatch away nutrients and resources from your main plants, making them weaker as a result.
Always remember to choose the right groundcover for the type of land you have and be careful that it does not become invasive.
I hope this helps! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
