Ground covers can add a lush, vibrant touch to gardens, but some have a way of getting a little too comfortable—and before you know it, they’re taking over everything in sight. In this post, we’re diving into 15 fast-spreading invasive ground covers that might seem harmless at first but can quickly outcompete native plants and throw your garden’s balance off track.
You’ll learn what makes these plants so aggressive, why they’re a challenge to control, and how to keep them from turning your landscape into a tangled mess. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just love keeping nature in check, this guide will help you make smart choices about what to plant—and what to avoid.
1. English Ivy
English Ivy is a fast-growing evergreen vine that can quickly take over gardens, climbing trees, fences, and buildings with ease. While its dense foliage provides ground cover and erosion control, it often becomes invasive, smothering native plants and weakening tree trunks.
Left unchecked, it can damage structures by creeping into cracks and crevices, leading to long-term deterioration. Controlling its spread requires regular pruning, uprooting, and careful monitoring to prevent it from taking over unwanted areas.
2. Japanese Honeysuckle
Japanese Honeysuckle may look appealing with its fragrant flowers, but it’s an aggressive grower that quickly outcompetes native plants. Spreading through runners and seeds, it forms dense mats that smother shrubs, trees, and ground covers, reducing biodiversity.
Its ability to climb and wrap around vegetation can weaken or even kill nearby plants by blocking sunlight and restricting growth. Keeping it in check requires regular cutting, uprooting, and monitoring to prevent it from overtaking the landscape.
3. Periwinkle
Its vibrant blue flowers may add charm to the landscape, but its rapid spread often comes at a cost. Periwinkle quickly forms dense mats that smother native plants, reducing biodiversity.
Spreading through trailing stems that root easily, it can be difficult to control once established. Regular pruning, removal of runners, and close monitoring are necessary to prevent it from overtaking garden beds and natural areas.
4. Creeping Jenny
The relentless spread makes it a challenge for gardeners looking to maintain plant diversity. Creeping Jenny quickly takes over garden beds, forming a thick, mat-like ground cover that can crowd out other plants.
With its ability to root at multiple points along its stems, it spreads aggressively and can become difficult to remove. Regular pruning and careful management are essential to keep it from dominating the landscape.
5. Bugleweed
With its vibrant purplish blooms, this ground cover may seem harmless at first. However, Bugleweed spreads aggressively through stolons, creating dense mats that overwhelm nearby plants.
Its rapid expansion makes it difficult to control, especially in moist or shaded areas where it thrives. Keeping it in check requires frequent pruning and early intervention to prevent it from taking over garden beds.
6. Bishop’s Weed
Despite its delicate white flowers, this plant is anything but fragile. Bishop’s Weed spreads aggressively, forming dense, fast-growing mats that can quickly dominate garden beds.
Its extensive root system makes removal challenging, as even small fragments can regrow and spread further. Containing its growth early with barriers and regular pruning is crucial to preventing it from overtaking the landscape.
7. Chinese Wisteria
Its stunning violet flowers might make it seem like a dream addition, but this plant is a well-known garden invader. Wisteria spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes, quickly regenerating even after being cut back.
Left unchecked, it can smother trees, shrubs, and structures, making removal a constant battle. Installing containment barriers and maintaining regular pruning are key to keeping its growth under control.
8. Goutweed
The lush foliage may seem appealing, but this fast-spreading plant is a serious threat to native vegetation. Goutweed thrives in woodlands and garden beds, forming dense colonies that crowd out native understory plants.
Its extensive root system makes eradication difficult, as even small remnants can regrow and spread further. Controlling its spread requires persistent hand-pulling, deep digging, and, in some cases, targeted herbicide treatments.
9. Kudzu
Famous for its relentless spread, this fast-growing vine can quickly overwhelm landscapes. Kudzu engulfs trees, shrubs, buildings, and even entire forests, blocking sunlight and suffocating native vegetation.
Its deep root system and vigorous growth make it difficult to control, often requiring repeated cutting, grazing, or herbicide application. Without consistent management, it can take over large areas in just a few seasons.
10. Wintercreeper
With its evergreen foliage providing year-round coverage, this vine may seem like a low-maintenance choice, but it’s anything but. Wintercreeper spreads aggressively along the ground and climbs trees, where it can weaken branches and block sunlight.
Its rapid growth allows it to outcompete native plants, making it a challenge to control once established. Regular pruning, physical barriers, and vigilant monitoring are necessary to keep it from taking over.
11. Mondo Grass
Mondo Grass may offer rich texture and low-maintenance appeal, but its aggressive growth can quickly become a problem. Spreading through underground rhizomes, it can outcompete neighboring plants and take over garden beds.
Once established, it’s difficult to remove, as its dense root system makes eradication a challenge. Containing its spread requires regular division, physical barriers, and careful placement to prevent it from overwhelming other plants.
12. Fiveleaf Akebia
Its chocolate-scented flowers may seem inviting, but this vigorous vine has a tendency to take over. Fiveleaf Akebia spreads rapidly, forming thick mats that smother surrounding vegetation and climb structures with ease.
After it establishes, it can be difficult to remove, as its fast-growing vines root at multiple points. Regular pruning and diligent monitoring are essential to prevent it from overwhelming garden spaces.
13. Carpet Bugle
Its striking purple flower spikes make it an attractive choice, but this ground cover spreads faster than expected. Carpet Bugle, or Ajuga, quickly forms dense mats that can overtake garden beds and crowd out other plants.
Its ability to root at multiple points makes containment a challenge, especially in moist conditions where it thrives. Regular thinning, boundary barriers, and careful placement are necessary to prevent it from becoming invasive.
14. Crown Vetch
Its bright yellow blooms may add a splash of color, but this plant is just as aggressive as its vining relatives. Golden Crown Vetch spreads quickly, forming thick mats that smother native vegetation and disrupt ecosystems.
Its extensive root system makes it difficult to remove, often requiring repeated efforts to prevent regrowth. Managing its spread may involve mechanical removal, persistent mowing, or targeted herbicide applications.
15. Yellow Archangel
Its bright yellow flowers may seem cheerful, but this plant is anything but friendly to native ecosystems. Yellow Archangel spreads aggressively, forming dense carpets that overtake forest floors and suppress other vegetation. I
These fast-growing runners make it difficult to contain, allowing it to thrive in both gardens and wild spaces. Consistent removal, monitoring, and containment strategies are essential to keeping it from spreading unchecked.
16. Wild Ginger
Unlike fast-spreading invaders, this ground cover provides lush, low-maintenance coverage without overwhelming nearby plants. Wild Ginger grows at a steady pace, creating a dense, attractive mat that helps suppress weeds while supporting pollinators.
Its heart-shaped leaves add texture to shaded areas, making it a great choice for woodland gardens. With minimal upkeep, it remains a well-behaved and beneficial addition to any landscape.
17. Creeping Phlox
This vibrant ground cover brings a burst of color without the aggressive takeover seen in some spreading plants. Creeping Phlox grows at a manageable pace, filling garden beds and slopes with delicate blooms while allowing other plants to thrive.
Phlox’smat-forming habit helps suppress weeds, but it stays well-behaved within its space. A perfect choice for adding long-lasting beauty without creating maintenance headaches.
18. Foamflower
This shade-loving perennial adds softness and elegance to woodland gardens with its airy, delicate blooms. Foamflower spreads gently, complementing native plants without overwhelming them.
This flower’s attractive foliage provides year-round interest, making it a reliable choice for naturalized landscapes. With minimal maintenance, it enhances garden beds while maintaining a balanced and well-behaved presence.
19. Barrenwort
This hardy ground cover provides a well-mannered solution for filling shaded garden spaces. Barrenwort’s heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers add texture and visual interest without crowding out neighboring plants.
Barrenwort spreads slowly, making it easy to manage while still offering reliable coverage. Ideal for low-maintenance gardens, it thrives in shade and adds year-round charm.
20. Sweet Woodruff
This fragrant ground cover enhances gardens with its honey-scented blooms and delicate, star-shaped flowers. Sweet Woodruff attracts beneficial pollinators like bees while maintaining a controlled, non-invasive growth habit.
Its soft, spreading foliage thrives in shaded areas, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens. A low-maintenance and eco-friendly option, it adds both charm and function to the landscape.
21. Allegheny Spurge
This native ground cover offers a refined, low-growing alternative to more aggressive spreaders. Allegheny Spurge expands gradually, creating a soft, textured carpet without overwhelming nearby plants.
The evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, while its spring blooms add a delicate touch. A perfect option for those who appreciate a well-mannered, graceful addition to shaded garden spaces.
22. Bearberry
This hardy ground cover thrives in dry conditions, making it an excellent option for low-water landscapes. Bearberry’s evergreen foliage, delicate flowers, and bright red berries add year-round interest while providing food for birds and pollinators.
Bearberry’s spreading habit helps control erosion, particularly in sandy or rocky soils. A durable and low-maintenance choice, it brings both beauty and ecological benefits to challenging garden spaces.
23. Pussytoes
This drought-tolerant ground cover excels in tough conditions, offering a soft, silvery-green carpet that stays manageable. Pussytoes produce charming pinkish blooms that attract pollinators, making them a great addition to rock gardens and dry landscapes.
Their slow-spreading nature ensures they won’t crowd out neighboring plants. A resilient and low-maintenance choice, they bring subtle beauty without the risk of becoming invasive.
24. Woolly Thyme
This low-growing ground cover provides a soft, velvety texture while remaining easy to manage. Woolly Thyme spreads slowly, creating a dense, fragrant carpet that works well between stepping stones or in rock gardens.
Its drought tolerance and minimal maintenance needs make it a great choice for low-water landscapes. A beautiful, non-invasive option, it adds charm without overpowering other plants.
25. Goldenstar
This shade-loving ground cover brightens garden spaces with its cheerful yellow flowers and lush green foliage. Goldenstar spreads gradually, allowing it to blend harmoniously with other plants without becoming invasive.
The low-maintenance nature makes it a reliable choice for woodland gardens and shaded borders. A perfect option for adding long-lasting color and texture without overwhelming the landscape.
26. Snow-In-Summer
This drought-tolerant ground cover brings a soft, snow-like effect to gardens with its delicate white blooms and silvery foliage. Snow-in-Summer spreads moderately, offering reliable coverage without overtaking nearby plants. I
With its edible flowers add an extra layer of versatility, this plant makes for both decorative and functional option. A great choice for rock gardens, borders, and low-maintenance landscapes, it blends beauty with practicality.
27. Sedum
This resilient ground cover thrives in harsh conditions, thanks to its water-storing succulent leaves. Sedum spreads at a steady pace, providing excellent coverage without crowding out neighboring plants.
The drought tolerance and minimal upkeep make it perfect for rock gardens, green roofs, and dry landscapes. A reliable choice for gardeners seeking beauty, durability, and low-maintenance appeal.
28. Heuchera
This eye-catching perennial adds rich color and texture to gardens with its striking foliage in shades of green, purple, red, and bronze. Heuchera grows in tidy clumps, making it a well-behaved alternative to invasive ground covers.
This plant’s adaptability to sun, shade, and various soil conditions makes it a versatile choice for borders and garden beds. A perfect option for those seeking long-lasting color without the worry of aggressive spreading.
29. Woodland Phlox
This delicate ground cover thrives in shaded areas, offering clusters of soft pastel blooms in spring. Woodland Phlox spreads gently, complementing native plants rather than overtaking them.
Its fragrant flowers attract pollinators, adding both beauty and ecological benefits to the garden. A great choice for creating a serene, naturalized landscape without the worry of aggressive growth.
30. Canadian Anemone
This native perennial adds elegance to gardens with its delicate white flowers and lush green foliage. Canadian Anemone supports pollinators while spreading at a moderate pace, making it a well-mannered choice for naturalized landscapes.
Anemone’s adaptability to various soil conditions ensures reliable growth without overwhelming other plants. A great option for gardeners looking to enhance biodiversity while maintaining a balanced, low-maintenance garden.