Without a doubt, weeding is the worst part of gardening. You’ve worked hard to get your plants in place and are looking forward to your rewards, only for invasive weeds to strangle your efforts.
Some gardeners may claim they get satisfaction from clearing weeds, but they are definitely in the minority. If only there were plants that could do the job for you!
We have good news: some plants actually deter and suppress weeds. Not all of the entries here will be a first choice for your own garden, but that weed-free element will surely boost their appeal.
1. Mint
Many of these plants work by spreading across the soil, leaving roots as they go. That may not be ideal for the dedicated gardener who wants to grow a variety of plants, but if you’re short on time, options such as mint are ideal.
It’s an invasive plant, but it’s attractive and has many uses. The herb can be used in a variety of dishes and drinks, and it will spread across your garden, suppressing weeds in return for very little maintenance.
2. Bugle
Also known by its Latin name of Ajuga reptans, Bugle works in the same way as mint. The plant spreads horizontally across the soil, and roots will continually develop and plunge below the surface.
There are two key differences between the plants: Bugle leaves will knit together and will leave no space at all for weeds. It’s also more attractive and will develop pretty blue flowers that attract pollinators.
3. Hosta
Other plants work in different ways to battle weeds. In the case of Hosta, its leaves overlap, leaving nothing but darkness underneath; no weed can survive in those conditions.
You can get different varieties of Hosta that have different shades of green, so even if you’re not familiar with this plant, there should be at least one variety to suit your garden. These plants will tolerate shady conditions and are ideal for growing under trees and large shrubs.
4. Morning Glory
If you research Morning Glory, it will often be talked about in negative terms. It’s been described as “aggressive” and that it will smother everything else in your garden. That’s not great if you want to grow other products, but it’s perfect if you are a lazy gardener who wants to cut down on weeds.
The flowers will continue to drop seeds, and that’s how Morning Glory develops and takes over. It gets a bad rep, but it’s an attractive plant that does its best to keep your yard weed-free.
5. Lemon Balm
It’s a member of the mint family, but lemon balm is such a distinctive plant that it deserves its own category. It will develop in the same way mint does by stretching out across your soil and creating new roots. As it covers an area, lemon balm will suppress any weeds along the way.
If you enjoy herbal remedies, it’s said that lemon balm can treat several different ailments. It also provides a pleasant scent which helps the flowers to attract bees and other pollinators.
6. Lamb’s Ear
This charming plant gets its name from the thick leaves that have a soft, silvery covering. They literally look like lamb’s ears, and they will add a focal point to any garden.
The Lamb’s Ear plant will quickly grow, and its effective ground cover is a great deterrent against weeds. In time, grey flowers will grow, which resemble lavender, and they will also attract bees into your space.
7. Creeping Thyme
This variety of the versatile thyme herb could provide the home gardener with an evergreen display. It will survive mild winters, and only the harshest of freezing temperatures will kill it off. With the right conditions, it’s also easy to grow and will require little input once it’s in the soil.
Creeping Thyme grows along the ground and spreads to cover a wide area, hence its name. Its dense growth combats weeds, and in the summer months, it delivers a spectacular display of purple blooms.
8. Crimson Clover
Regular, green clover leaves will grow to cover a large area and battle any weeds. The only downside is that they are not especially attractive. The answer is Crimson Clover which combines beauty with the ability to keep the weed population down in your garden.
Sow them in the fall and they will start to bloom in the following spring. Crimson Clover is an annual plant, so you will need to repeat this method yearly, but it is one of the best for keeping those pesky weeds in check.
9. Periwinkle
Periwinkle is another plant that will spread to develop a carpet across the soil. The tightly knit leaves and flowers leave darkness underneath, and the conditions are not ideal for weeds to flourish.
This is one of the more attractive suggestions on the list. Its pale purple leaves are delightful, but it’s also one of the most invasive. Beware if you grow other species, as the Periwinkle has the capacity to spread and take anything down that sits in its path.
10. Lady’s Mantle
Plants such as Periwinkle are restricted in height, so they offer a low “carpet.” If you want an option that grows beyond that, Lady’s Mantle could be the answer. It gets its name from its soft leaves that are covered in fine hair, and it produces striking yellow flowers.
Lady’s Mantle spreads by self-seeding, making it another strong weed suppressant. Expect the plants to grow to up to eighteen inches in height. It’s a little more fussy than others here and prefers moist soil.
11. Creeping Mazus
By this point, you should be able to pick out some clues. Any plant that includes the word “creeping” in its name has the potential to be a strong weed suppressant.
Creeping Mazus is a perfect example, as it spreads outwards and forms tight, densely packed leaves. The result is a clump of plants that provide little, if any, room for weeds to take hold and develop. This is also one of the more attractive creeping plants with charming blue, tubular-shaped flowers that will start to grow in mid-spring.
12. Sweet Woodruff
For those of us who struggle through the winter months, a flower that blooms in spring offers a lift. It’s a sign that warmer temperatures and longer days are on their way.
If you want an early bloomer that also combats weeds, Sweet Woodruff is a good choice. Its pretty, white flowers will start to poke through in early spring, and it will spread to form a low, weed-suppressing carpet across your garden.
13. Nasturtiums
If you have time on your hands, you can work hard to get rid of weeds, but if you don’t have that luxury, you can buy a plant that does the job for you.
If you’re time-poor, you’ll want a resilient plant that is easy to grow, looks gorgeous, and requires little maintenance. Step forward the Nasturtium to tick all of those boxes. These are hardy plants, and in return for very little effort, they will control weeds and reward you with bright blooms of red, orange, and yellow.
