12 Plants That Prevent Weeds, According to Experts

colorful yarrow flower garden — Credit:
fotolinchen / GETTY IMAGES

No one likes weeds. These pesky ground covers can quickly become a major issue in just about any backyard, so gardeners must constantly remain vigilant to keep them at bay. Not only will weeds absorb essential nutrients and water from neighboring plants, but they can also block sunlight, stunting the growth of your flowers and vegetables.

There are solutions, of course, like herbicides, but there's a more natural, beautiful way of keeping these unsightly fronds away. Weed-suppressing plants will help stop the problem before it can even take root, leading to a lovely, thriving garden that allows for true peace of mind. Here, experts recommend their favorite plants for keeping weeds away.

Adrienne Roethling, the garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden
Keri Wilson, horticulturist for Garden Media Group

01 of 12

Lamb's Ear

A great ground cover, lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) has gray-green leaves that form a carpet so thick that weeds won't stand a chance. "A plus to growing lamb's ear is that you will get gray stalks of lavender flowers in spring," says Adrienne Roethling, the garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden.

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 5 to 6 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; loamy, well-draining soil

For best results, plant weed-suppressing ground covers close enough together so their mature foliage will overlap. The faster you eliminate bare soil, the fewer opportunities weeds have to sprout. Adding a layer of mulch around young plants can also help block weeds while your ground cover fills in.

02 of 12

Creeping Mazus

Creeping mazus (Mazus reptans) is the ultimate weed-suppressing ground cover plant. "The green leaves give way to open-face tubular flowers in mid-spring," says Roethling. "It’s a very dense forming mass with little room for weeds to grow."

Zones: 5 to 8
Size: 1 inch tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Part sun to full shade; well-draining soil

03 of 12

Creeping Thyme

As its name implies, creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) will creep along your landscape and prevent weeds from popping up. "Creeping thyme is evergreen in mild winters and blooms profusely from early to mid-summer," says Keri Wilson horticulturist for Garden Media Group. It releases a fragrant scent that will fill your yard with seasonal perfume.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 2 inches tall x 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; average dry, well-draining soil

04 of 12

Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) produces a tight mass of green leaves that give way to shades of pink, purple, and white star-shaped flowers. "The flowers appear in late winter through early spring and remain the rest of the year," says Roethling. Consider planting creeping phlox during spring and summer to enhance its look during non-flowering seasons.

Zones: 3 to 10
Size: 6 inches tall x 36 to 48 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

05 of 12

Crimson Clover

Patches of bare ground provide space for weeds to germinate and grow. Prevent these blank spaces by sowing crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) seeds in fall to allow them to germinate in spring. "They are annuals but will last for a couple of months," says Roethling. "They flower in mid-spring and will set seed and go dormant by summer." Crimson clover can grow in any soil conditions—in fact, it's a great plant to grow if you want to improve clay soil.

Zones: 6
Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; any soil conditions

06 of 12

Bugleweed

Ajuga flower — James Quartuccio / GETTY IMAGES

Bugleweed (Ajuga) forms a dense mat that makes it difficult for weeds to push through. "This evergreen ground cover will draw in all the pollinators with lavender flower spikes that contrast against rich, dark foliage," says Wilson. There are many varieties of ajuga to choose from, but it's best to opt for one of the less aggressive types to keep it from taking over your landscape.

Zones: 4 to 11
Size: 11 inches tall x 15 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; rich, well-draining soil

Yarrow

If planted in groups, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) will successfully choke out weeds in your yard. The native perennial has flower heads that form tiny clusters of flowers. Its showy blooms come in a range of colors, including orange, yellow, and red, depending on the variety.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 36 inches tall x 36 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

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Sweet Woodruff

Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is another low-growing plant that can choke out weeds. "In the right place, this plant will spread by its roots and make a dense mass, preventing much light from reaching the ground," says Roethling. "In spring, a whorl of leaves on 6-inch stems emerge, giving rise to umbels of white flowers."

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 9 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full shade; loamy to rich, well-draining soil

09 of 12

Clematis

There are many varieties of clematis, but sapphire indigo clematis is ideal for suppressing weeds. "Perfect for sprawling across the garden and choking out weeds, sapphire indigo clematis is a breakthrough, non-climbing clematis that matures into a low-growing shrub," says Wilson. Plus, it has stunning flowers that fill your landscape with interest all summer long.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 36 inches tall x 36 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

10 of 12

Carex

Often referred to as sedge, carex encompasses a vast genus of more than 2,000 species of plants that are successful weed suppressors. For a specific variety, try carex 'Evercolor Everglow', an easy-care grass that can add drama to a space while discouraging weeds, says Wilson.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 2 to 18 inches tall x 2 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Part shade; moist, well-draining soil

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Azalea

A common flower known for bringing good luck, azaleas add instant curb appeal to your yard thanks to their showy blooms. What's more, this beautiful flowering plant can also prevent weeds from sprouting. "Planted en masse, azaleas create a lovely backdrop while shading the soil, and their dense foliage suppresses weeds," says Wilson.

Zones: 6 to 9
Size: 3 to 20 feet tall x wide (depends on the variety)
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

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Green-and-Gold

A shade-loving perennial that's easy to maintain, green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) emerges in early spring with bright green leaves quickly followed by yellow-orange, daisy-like blossoms. "It will spread by above-ground shoots, but it's an ideal ground cover to suppress weeds," says Roethling.