Self-seeding perennials are every lazy gardener’s dream, quietly taking over the heavy lifting to create vibrant, ever-changing landscapes. These botanical overachievers scatter their own seeds, filling gaps, crowding out weeds, and growing back stronger each year—no fuss, no replanting.
Imagine a garden that thrives on autopilot, evolving naturally and beautifully without your constant intervention.
Here are 15 self-seeding perennials that will turn your yard into a lush, self-sustaining oasis—and have weeds running for cover.
1. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susans are the cheerleaders of the garden, bringing golden rays of sunshine to borders and meadows alike. These native North American wildflowers are not just pretty faces; they’re tough competitors that spread quickly, forming dense clusters that leave little room for weeds to take hold.
Their daisy-like blooms attract pollinators throughout summer and into fall, making them a win-win for both gardeners and local ecosystems.
Planting guide:
- Sow seeds directly in spring or fall
- Space plants 18-24 inches apart
- Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade
- Well-draining soil is ideal
- Water regularly until established
2. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
Columbine’s delicate, spurred flowers belie its hardy nature. These enchanting perennials come in a rainbow of colors and thrive in both sun and shade.
Once established, columbines will happily self-seed, creating charming colonies that fill in gaps and suppress weed growth. Their ferny foliage adds texture to the garden even when not in bloom.
Planting guide:
- Sow seeds in late summer or early fall
- Plant 1-2 feet apart
- Adapts to full sun or partial shade
- Prefers moist, well-draining soil
- Mulch to retain moisture and control weeds
3. Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica)
These tiny blue blossoms pack a big punch when it comes to weed control. Forget-me-nots form dense carpets of foliage and flowers, smothering potential weed seedlings.
Their prolific self-seeding habit ensures a continuous display of sky-blue blooms year after year. While they can spread enthusiastically, their shallow roots make them easy to control if needed.
Planting guide:
- Scatter seeds on the soil surface in spring or fall
- Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart
- Thrives in partial shade to full sun
- Prefers consistently moist soil
- Avoid overwatering to prevent fungal issues
4. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Echinacea is a powerhouse in the perennial garden, boasting both medicinal properties and weed-suppressing abilities. Its sturdy stems and broad leaves create a formidable barrier against invading weeds.
The long-lasting, daisy-like flowers attract butterflies and bees, while the seed heads provide food for birds in winter. Once established, this native prairie plant is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
Planting guide:
- Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost
- Space plants 18-24 inches apart
- Requires full sun for best blooming
- Tolerates a wide range of soil types
- Water deeply but infrequently
5. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
With its velvety, silver-gray leaves, Lamb’s Ear creates a soft, tactile ground cover that’s as effective at suppressing weeds as it is beautiful. This drought-tolerant perennial spreads quickly via runners and self-seeding, forming dense mats that leave little room for unwanted plants.
Its fuzzy foliage is naturally deer-resistant and adds a unique texture to the garden.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or fall
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade
- Well-draining soil is essential
- Avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf rot
6. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a tough-as-nails perennial that’s perfect for naturalized areas and wildflower meadows. Its fern-like foliage forms a dense mat that effectively smothers weeds, while its flat-topped flower clusters attract beneficial insects.
Available in a range of colors from white to deep red, yarrow is drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soil conditions where many weeds struggle.
Planting guide:
- Sow seeds directly in spring or fall
- Space plants 1-2 feet apart
- Requires full sun for best performance
- Prefers well-draining, even sandy soil
- Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigor
7. Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
Lady’s Mantle is a charming addition to any garden, with its scalloped leaves that collect dewdrops like tiny jewels. This low-growing perennial forms dense clumps that effectively crowd out weeds.
Its frothy lime-green flowers add a delicate touch to borders and rock gardens. Once established, Lady’s Mantle will self-seed freely, creating a lush ground cover.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or early fall
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Thrives in partial shade to full sun
- Prefers moist, well-draining soil
- Trim back after flowering to encourage fresh growth
8. Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
Catmint is a fragrant, long-blooming perennial that’s as attractive to pollinators as it is repellent to weeds. Its aromatic foliage and lavender-blue flower spikes create a soft, billowing effect in the garden.
Catmint spreads quickly, forming dense mounds that effectively suppress weed growth. Once established, it’s also deer-resistant and drought-tolerant.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring after the last frost
- Space 18-24 inches apart
- Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade
- Well-draining soil is essential
- Trim back after first bloom for repeat flowering
9. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bee Balm is a showstopper in the garden, with its whorled flowers that resemble fireworks. This native perennial spreads via underground rhizomes and self-seeding, quickly forming dense colonies that outcompete weeds.
Its fragrant foliage and nectar-rich blooms attract a wide range of pollinators, making it a valuable addition to any wildlife-friendly garden.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or early fall
- Space 18-24 inches apart
- Thrives in full sun to partial shade
- Prefers moist, rich soil
- Divide every 3-4 years to prevent overcrowding
10. Perennial Geranium (Geranium spp.)
Hardy geraniums, also known as cranesbills, are versatile plants that excel at filling in gaps and suppressing weeds. Their mounding habit and prolific blooms create a dense cover that leaves little room for invaders.
With varieties suitable for sun or shade, there’s a geranium for every garden spot. Many species self-seed readily, ensuring continuous coverage.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or early fall
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Sun requirements vary by species
- Well-draining soil is preferred
- Trim back after flowering to encourage fresh growth
11. Sedum (Sedum spp., Hylotelephium spp.)
Sedums, with their succulent leaves and starry flower clusters, are excellent weed suppressors in sunny, dry areas. These drought-tolerant perennials form dense mats of foliage that effectively crowd out unwanted plants.
Sedums’ late-season blooms provide food for pollinators when many other plants have finished flowering. In favorable conditions, they self-seed readily.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring after the last frost
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Requires full sun for best performance
- Well-draining soil is essential
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
12. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Foxgloves add vertical interest to the garden with their tall spikes of tubular flowers. While technically biennials or short-lived perennials, they self-seed so prolifically that they behave like long-lived perennials.
Foxgloves thrive in woodland settings and partially shaded borders. Their large leaves shade the soil, inhibiting weed growth.
Planting guide:
- Sow seeds in late summer for next year’s bloom
- Thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart
- Prefers partial shade but tolerates full sun in cool climates
- Rich, well-draining soil is ideal
- Keep soil consistently moist
13. Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
Daylilies are the workhorses of the perennial garden, boasting a remarkable ability to outcompete weeds. These adaptable plants form dense clumps of strappy foliage that effectively smother weeds.
While they don’t self-seed as readily as some perennials, their vigorous growth and easy division make them excellent for filling large areas quickly.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or early fall
- Space 18-24 inches apart
- Thrives in full sun to partial shade
- Adapts to various soil types
- Water deeply but infrequently once established
14. Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)
Lungwort is a shade-loving perennial that excels at suppressing weeds in woodland gardens. Its broad, often spotted leaves create a dense groundcover that leaves little room for invaders.
In spring, clusters of pink or blue flowers emerge, adding a splash of color to shady spots. Lungwort spreads slowly but steadily, gradually filling in bare areas.
Planting guide:
- Plant in spring or early fall
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Prefers partial to full shade
- Rich, moist soil is ideal
- Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
15. Tall Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
Tall Verbena, with its airy stems topped with clusters of tiny purple flowers, adds height and movement to the garden while suppressing weeds. This self-seeding perennial creates a see-through effect that allows it to mingle beautifully with other plants.
Its deep taproot helps it outcompete shallow-rooted weeds and makes it drought-tolerant once established.
Planting guide:
- Sow seeds directly in spring after the last frost
- Thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart
- Requires full sun for best flowering
- Well-draining soil is essential
- Deadhead to prolong blooming and control self-seeding
By incorporating these self-seeding perennials into your garden, you’ll create a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape that naturally keeps weeds at bay.
Remember to monitor their spread and remove any unwanted seedlings to maintain the balance you desire in your garden.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.