Mulch is practical—but living ground covers are beautiful and practical. Instead of hauling bags of bark or chips, you can plant ground covers that suppress weeds, retain moisture, and enrich the soil—while adding texture and color to your garden.
These plants do everything mulch does and more: they change with the seasons, provide habitat for beneficial insects, and create a lush, finished look that mulch simply can’t match. Once established, they often need less maintenance too.
In this article, we spotlight 11 ground covers that can replace traditional mulch and elevate your garden’s style. If you’re ready to trade wood chips for something greener, these plants are the perfect place to start.
Creeping Thyme
Known for its aromatic fragrance and delicate blossoms, creeping thyme creates an inviting tapestry for your garden. Tiny, vivid flowers attract bees and butterflies, making it a favorite for pollinator gardens. Its low growth habit and tolerance to foot traffic make it ideal for pathways and rockeries. Did you know it was once used in medieval times as a strewing herb to freshen rooms? With its resilience and charm, creeping thyme offers both beauty and utility, a perfect blend for any landscape.
Irish Moss
Irish Moss adds a soft, verdant texture that thrives in shaded, cool environments. Its compact nature and ability to fill gaps between stepping stones make it a popular choice. Often mistaken for actual moss, it is in fact a flowering perennial that carpets the ground with vibrant greenery. Its tiny white flowers add a delicate touch to the lush foliage, enhancing garden pathways and rock gardens. This enchanting cover brings the essence of a serene woodland to your garden.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff imbues your garden with a classic woodland feel, thanks to its star-shaped flowers and whorled leaves. Known for its sweet scent, which intensifies when dried, it’s been historically used as a natural air freshener. This ground cover thrives in shady spots, making it a perfect choice for under trees and along garden borders. Beyond its beauty, Sweet Woodruff is deer-resistant, adding practical charm to its aesthetic appeal.
Bugleweed
Bugleweed is a vigorous spreader, appreciated for its striking blue flower spikes and glossy foliage. This ground cover is an excellent option for controlling erosion on slopes and banks. Its rapid growth fills bare spots quickly, while its semi-evergreen nature ensures year-round interest. Historically, Bugleweed was used in herbal medicine, adding a layer of intrigue to its visual appeal. It’s not just a plant; it’s a conversation starter.
Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear is known for its unique, velvety leaves that invite touch, providing a sensory delight in any garden. Its soft, silvery foliage contrasts beautifully with other plants, while tall purple flower spikes add vertical interest. Ideal for sunny borders, Lamb’s Ear can withstand drought, making it a practical choice for dry areas. Historically used in folk medicine for its soothing properties, Lamb’s Ear is steeped in charm and nostalgia.
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny brings a burst of bright yellow-green foliage that cascades gracefully, perfect for containers and hanging baskets. This versatile plant thrives in both sun and partial shade, providing a cheerful ground cover. Its trailing habit allows it to drape beautifully, softening edges and adding a splash of color. Known for its rapid growth, Creeping Jenny can easily spread, making it excellent for covering large areas quickly.
Corsican Mint
With its minty fragrance and tiny, rounded leaves, Corsican Mint forms a dense mat that thrives in moist, shaded areas. This charming plant is perfect for adding fragrance to your garden paths and for filling in tight spaces. Its ability to withstand light foot traffic makes it a popular choice for planting between stepping stones. Corsican Mint not only delights with its scent but also surprises with its small, purple flowers in summer.
Ajuga
Ajuga, also known as Carpet Bugle, captivates with its clusters of purple-blue flower spikes that rise above its glossy foliage. This ground cover is celebrated for its adaptability, thriving in both sun and shade. Its dense growth pattern suppresses weeds effectively, making it a valuable addition to any garden. Ajuga’s vibrant colors provide a striking visual contrast, and its semi-evergreen nature ensures year-round appeal, making it a garden staple.
Mazus
Mazus is a delightful ground cover, known for its profusion of lavender flowers and lush, green foliage. This charming plant thrives in moist, well-drained soils, making it perfect for garden paths and borders. Its ability to form a dense carpet ensures minimal weed growth, while its flowers add a touch of color in early spring. The ease with which Mazus spreads makes it an excellent choice for covering large areas quickly and efficiently.
Blue Star Creeper
Blue Star Creeper enchants with its delicate, star-shaped blue flowers that dot its green carpet. This ground cover is ideal for filling in gaps between stepping stones or as a lush lawn alternative. Its robust nature allows it to withstand light foot traffic, making it versatile for garden paths. Blue Star Creeper’s charming flowers and dense green foliage create a serene, picturesque setting that enhances any outdoor space.
Vinca Minor
Vinca Minor, also known as Periwinkle, offers a timeless appeal with its glossy leaves and periwinkle-blue flowers. This hardy ground cover is perfect for shaded areas, thriving under trees and along woodland paths. Its vigorous growth and evergreen nature make it a reliable choice for year-round interest. Historically used for medicinal purposes, Vinca Minor is both a beautiful and functional addition to any garden landscape.