These 5 beautiful plants can act as living mulch, keep weeds away and lock in soil moisture

If you want a garden that looks beautiful while requiring less maintenance, living mulch plants can be a clever solution. Instead of leaving bare soil between larger plants, ground-covering species can spread across the surface, helping shade the soil, retain moisture and reduce the space available for weeds to grow. Unlike traditional mulch such as bark, straw or wood chips, living mulch is made up of plants that continue growing. The right choices can add colour and texture to a garden while also protecting the soil from drying out too quickly. Here are five attractive plants that can work as living ground cover.

Creeping thyme is a popular low-growing ground cover that can create a dense carpet around stepping stones, borders and larger plants. Its tiny leaves help cover exposed soil, while its flowers add a splash of colour during the blooming season. Once established, creeping thyme is relatively drought tolerant and can work particularly well in sunny areas. Its spreading growth can also make it harder for some weeds to establish in open patches of soil.

Sweet alyssum is a compact flowering plant known for its clusters of small, fragrant flowers. It can be planted around vegetables, ornamental plants or along garden borders to cover areas of exposed soil. Its low-growing habit helps provide ground cover, while the flowers can attract pollinators. Sweet alyssum is particularly useful for gardeners looking for a living mulch that adds colour rather than simply creating a green carpet.

Despite its name, Irish moss is a flowering ground cover rather than a true moss. It forms a soft-looking, low mat and can be useful for filling gaps between paving stones or around larger garden plants. Its dense growth helps shade the soil surface, which can reduce evaporation and leave less bare ground for weeds to occupy. It generally performs best when given suitable moisture and well-drained soil.

Creeping Jenny is a fast-spreading ground cover recognised for its rounded leaves and trailing growth. It can quickly fill empty spaces around garden beds and create a lush appearance. Because it spreads readily, it is important to choose its location carefully and keep it under control where necessary. In suitable conditions, its dense foliage can cover soil and help reduce the amount of exposed ground.

Low-growing sedums are another option for gardeners looking for attractive living mulch. These succulent plants have fleshy leaves that allow them to tolerate relatively dry conditions once established. Sedums can form dense mats and produce small flowers, making them useful for rock gardens, borders and other sunny areas. Their ability to cope with dry conditions also means they can be a good choice where frequent watering is not practical.