Weeding can feel relentless during the growing season. Leave the garden unattended for even a few days in spring or summer, and you'll likely return to find dandelions, docks, and other self-seeding weeds taking hold in your borders. But fear not! There's a sustainable solution to this perennial problem: growing plants that naturally suppress unwanted growth. By forming a dense canopy over the soil, these varieties limit the space and light that weeds need to germinate and thrive. As a seasoned gardener, I've cultivated many of these plants, selecting them for their ability to crowd out weeds while adding ornamental value. Here, I share six of the best plants to stop weeds, offering a mix of perennials and evergreens that will keep your borders looking fuller, healthier, and largely weed-free.
Monkey Grass
Monkey grass, or Liriope muscari, is a tough and versatile ground cover that can be grown from US hardiness zone 4 to zone 10, tolerating a wide range of climates and conditions. Over time, this part-shade perennial forms a lush carpet of evergreen foliage that covers bare soil and naturally crowds out weeds, helping to reduce maintenance while keeping borders looking full and tidy throughout the year. Garden expert Mike Murphy praises monkey grass, stating, 'If you are looking for a plant that will form a dense carpet and keep weeds at bay, monkey grass is a superb option.' While it might take a year or two to establish, once it's settled and happy, it doesn't require much attention, easily tolerating dry periods in summer.
Juniper
Juniperus horizontalis, commonly known as the creeping juniper, is an attractive foliage shrub that provides year-round greenery, useful in challenging areas under large trees. As one of the best native plants to stop weeds, juniper can be grown in US hardiness zones 3 to 9, doing best in a sunny spot. If you're looking to get rid of weeds without using sprays or chemicals, planting juniper is a good option. The 'blue rug' groundcover juniper from Fast Growing Trees is a great choice.
Carex
Carex is a low-maintenance plant that naturally crowds out weeds. Many carex species spread steadily to form dense clumps that cover bare soil and leave little room for unwanted growth. Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pennsylvanica) is an attractive option, growing from US hardiness zone 3 to zone 8 and thriving in partially shaded locations. Many carex species spread via rhizomes, producing underground stems that send up new shoots and gradually knit together into a weed-suppressing carpet. For the best results, plant carex in generous drifts rather than as isolated specimens, allowing the foliage to quickly fill gaps and shade the soil.
Ground Cover Roses
Ground cover roses, or procumbent roses, are low-growing and can form a dense and thick rose carpet when planted close together. Not only will this mean a sea of blooms, but it will also help to keep weeds out of the yard, unable to compete with the canopy and root networks of your roses. Garden expert Katie Sunderlage recommends selecting a sunny site with well-draining soil and fertilizing your plants during the growing season using a rose feed. Ground cover roses are available from various sources, including Nature Hills.
Pinus Mugo
Often considered one of the best pine trees, Pinus mugo, or the dwarf pine, is notable for its compact and dense habit. When planted in groups, small mounded shrubs will eventually connect, forming a cloud-like structure. However, the dwarf pine is a slow-growing shrub, so it might take several years to fill a border. Fallen pine needles form a mulch layer on the surface of the soil, which can prevent weeds from germinating. This low-growing shrub is ideal for those cooler yards in northerly locations and is available from Fast Growing Trees.
Hellebores
Hellebores are usually grown for their elegant winter and early spring flowers, but they can also be surprisingly effective at keeping weeds at bay. These shade-loving perennials produce large, leathery evergreen leaves that cover the soil for much of the year, helping to block light and reduce opportunities for weed seeds to germinate. If weed suppression is your goal, plant hellebores in generous drifts rather than as individual specimens. As the plants mature, their foliage will knit together to form a canopy that shades the ground and limits unwanted growth, particularly in woodland-style borders and other shady corners. Hellebore plants are available online from Amazon.
Preventing Weeds
Preventing weeds from germinating is the best course of action in any yard, and all of these weed-suppressing plants will help to stop weeds from taking hold in your borders. While weeds can be troublesome, remember that these plants are a valuable food source for pollinators such as birds and bees. If you can, consider leaving a small patch of ground where weeds can grow to attract hungry pollinators to your plot. For more information, see our guide on flowering weeds for pollinators. And if you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.
