Field trials were conducted in the Vidarbha region of India to investigate the potential for inter-seeded cover crops in monocropped cotton and evaluate 5 cover crop species for this purpose. The focus was to understand (1) the effects on cotton (yield) and weeds and (2) the performance of the cover crops themselves. After the living mulches were planted, no further inter-row cultivations or herbicide applications were carried out. Cover crop stands were cut back when needed to prevent shading of the cotton canopy. Cover crop biomass production of more than 80 tons ha-1 were observed, however, there were no significant effects of the system on cotton yields. Sunnhemp was the most promising species among those evaluated; following good emergence, when the cover crop received 1 to 2 weed-free weeks during the initial growth period, weed densities less than 15/m2 and weed cover as low as 7% were recorded.