Let’s be honest—no one likes weeding. It’s tedious, time-consuming, and never-ending. But what if you could fill your garden with beautiful, low-maintenance plants that do the weeding for you?
Yep, it’s possible. The trick? Ground-hugging, vigorous perennials that naturally suppress weeds by shading them out and outcompeting them for space and nutrients.
So if you’re ready to kick the weeding habit and still have a lush, vibrant garden, plant these 14 powerhouse perennials and let them take over the job.
1. Hosta
Best for shady areas
Hostas are shade superstars. With their big, bold leaves and dense clumps, they block sunlight from reaching weed seeds. Bonus? They come in tons of colors and sizes, so they’re as pretty as they are practical.
Tip: Go for large varieties like ‘Sum and Substance’ for even better coverage.
2. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Sun-loving and drought-tolerant
These carefree bloomers spread quickly and form thick clumps that leave no room for weeds. They thrive in full sun, tolerate drought, and bloom nonstop in summer.
Tip: Choose reblooming types for color that lasts all season.
3. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Soft, silvery, and smothers weeds
This fuzzy-leaved favorite is more than just cute—it’s a ground-hugging spreader that chokes out weeds in dry, sunny spots. Once it settles in, it practically carpets the soil.
Tip: Perfect for edging pathways or filling tricky spots.
4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Bold blooms, even bolder weed control
These cheerful yellow flowers are tough and tenacious. Once established, their thick basal leaves form a natural weed barrier, and the flowers attract pollinators like crazy.
Tip: Cut them back after blooming for a second flush.
5. Geranium (Cranesbill)
Low-spreaders that get the job done
Hardy geraniums aren’t the flashy kind from hanging baskets. These are ground-cover pros that spread wide, bloom generously, and shut out weeds like nobody’s business.
Tip: Try ‘Rozanne’—it blooms from late spring to frost!
6. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Shade-tolerant and weed-resistant
With foliage in every shade from lime green to burgundy, coral bells are a colorful way to block weeds. Their clumping habit covers soil beautifully, especially in partial shade.
Tip: Mix and match colors for a gorgeous underplanting.
7. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Thrives in hot, dry, neglected spots
Sedum varieties like ‘Autumn Joy’ and creeping sedums are garden champs. They form tight mats or clumps that smother weeds and need almost no care.
Tip: Great for rock gardens, borders, or filling gaps.
8. Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Quick ground cover for full or part shade
Ajuga spreads fast, flowers beautifully, and creates a dense carpet that weeds hate. It even tolerates foot traffic, making it great for pathways.
Tip: Choose ‘Black Scallop’ for deep, dramatic foliage.
9. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
Tall, tough, and weed-dominating
With their strong stems and wide leaves, coneflowers outcompete nearby weeds and draw in pollinators. Plus, they’re drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
Tip: Leave the seed heads for birds in fall and winter.
10. Ferns
Ideal for shady woodland gardens
Ferns may not flower, but their feathery fronds fill space quickly, cutting off light and moisture from weeds. Once established, they’re nearly zero-maintenance.
Tip: Lady ferns and ostrich ferns are especially aggressive (in a good way).
11. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Fragrant, flowering, and fiercely competitive
Bee balm brings color and hummingbirds—and pushes out weeds as it spreads. It prefers full sun and moist soil but adapts well once settled.
Tip: Divide every few years to control spread and maintain vigor.
12. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)
Elegant and weed-suppressing
In shady spots, this graceful grass forms thick, arching mounds that shade out weed seeds completely. Its chartreuse or golden foliage adds instant glow to dim areas.
Tip: Use it in mass plantings for the full weed-blocking effect.
13. Catmint (Nepeta)
Tough as nails and weed-repelling
Catmint thrives in poor soil, blooms for months, and spreads into a dense, fragrant clump that leaves no room for weedy invaders.
Tip: Shear it back mid-summer to encourage fresh growth and more flowers.
14. Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
Fills gaps fast with soft, scalloped leaves
This old-fashioned favorite has chartreuse flowers and soft leaves that cover bare soil efficiently, making it hard for weeds to take root.
Tip: Excellent for borders and underplanting roses or shrubs.
Final Thoughts: Ditch the Weeds, Keep the Color
Weeding doesn’t have to be your full-time job. With the right mix of spreading perennials, your garden can stay lush, vibrant, and (mostly) weed-free all season long.
Whether you’re planting a shade garden, sunny border, or filling awkward spots, these 14 perennial flowers bring beauty, resilience, and serious weed-fighting power. So go ahead—let the plants do the hard work while you sit back and enjoy your garden.
Bonus Tip: Mulch Once, Then Let These Perennials Take Over
After planting, add a layer of mulch to help your perennials get established. Once they spread, they’ll crowd out weeds naturally, meaning less work for you and more time to enjoy your flowers.