Ground Cover Plants for a Low-Maintenance Garden

Why ground cover matters

Every bare patch of soil in your garden is an open invitation for weeds. If you want a low-maintenance space, the simplest trick is to make sure the ground is always covered. Living ground covers are far more effective than bark chips or fabric — and much better for your soil.

These plants grow close to the surface, spread steadily, and shade out weed seedlings before they take hold. Once they’re established, you’ll notice a big drop in weeding and watering.

How to choose the right ground cover

Not all ground cover plants thrive in the same conditions. The key is matching the plant to your garden microclimate:

• Sunny and dry → look for drought-tolerant, tough-leaved species.

• Shady spots → choose plants that naturally thrive in woodlands.

• Heavy soils → go for resilient perennials with strong root systems.

(If you’re not sure what microclimates you have, I break it down step by step in the Self-Sustaining Garden course — you’ll be surprised how many different niches one garden can hold.)

Top ground cover plants for low-maintenance gardens

1. Mexican fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus)

Perfect for cracks, walls, and path edges. It self-seeds gently, filling every gap and leaving no space for weeds.

2. Hardy geraniums (Geranium ‘Rozanne’ or ‘Tiny Monster’)

Spreads quickly, flowers for months, and creates a dense mat of foliage. Ideal for borders and under shrubs.

3. Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Aromatic, drought tolerant, and edible. Great between paving stones or in sunny borders.

4. Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile and low-growing types)

Succulent leaves, very drought resistant, and unbeatable at covering dry, thin soils.

5. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans, bugleweed)

Excellent for partial shade, with rich foliage colours and spikes of blue flowers. Forms a weed-smothering carpet in damp, shady areas.

The benefits go beyond weed control

Ground covers don’t just keep weeds down. They:

• Improve soil structure by feeding microbes and retaining moisture.

• Support pollinators with flowers across the seasons.

• Add colour, texture, and interest at the lowest level of your planting design.

• Reduce the need for mulches, plastic sheeting, or chemical sprays.

They’re the quiet workers of a low-maintenance garden — once they’re in, they do their job with no fuss.

Putting it all together

Think of ground covers as the front line of defence in your garden. They handle the little jobs that otherwise eat into your time — like constant weeding and watering. Combine them with taller perennials and shrubs, and you’ll create a garden that looks beautiful, functions like an ecosystem, and asks very little of you in return.

Next steps

• Download the free guide: 10 Plants to Beat the Weeds — learn more low-effort, high-impact plants that suppress weeds naturally.

• Want the full system? The Self-Sustaining Garden course shows you how to design an entire garden around these principles, so you enjoy beauty, yield, and low maintenance in one space.