We all love a beautiful and lush lawn, but let’s face it: maintaining a perfect green carpet requires a lot of work and is not so great for the environment. Fertilizing, for example, can be particularly harmful. But, what if I told you there’s a better way? Yes, you can have a stunning, low-maintenance yard without the hassle of traditional grass thanks to grass alternatives.
Many of these options help you save water, reduce maintenance, they even allow you to create an outdoor space without needing to grow more traditional plants.
1. Gravel garden
A gravel garden fills the space between plants with gravel. This lawn alternative is low-maintenance because it eliminates the need for soil amendments, mulching, and frequent weeding. Just be sure to grow suitable plants, such as native varieties that can thrive with little water.
2. Xeriscape
If you live in an arid or semi-arid regions or simply looking for a solution to conserve water, xeriscaping is the answer. Xeriscaping is a landscaping method designed to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation by using drought-resistant plants, efficient irrigation systems, and soil management techniques.
It often incorporates native plants, mulch, and natural elements like rocks to conserve water and reduce maintenance.
3. Clover lawn
Instead of the usual turf grass, you can use lush, green clover that looks absolutely stunning and stays healthy even when the heat turns up. While regular grass might struggle with the summer sun and become sun-scorched, clover keeps its cool and keeps your garden’s gorgeous appearance.
4. Groundcovers
If you don’t have a lot of time to take care of your garden, ground cover plants should be your best friends. Plants such as sedum, creeping thyme, dichondra, corsican mint and chamomile can thrive so well that you can walk on them while requiring less maintenance. They don’t need much water, fertilizer, or even pesticides, allowing you to enjoy a beautiful garden without all the fuss!
Sedum
Thanks to its excellent drought tolerance, sedum makes an excellent ground cover option for areas where grass may struggle to grow. However, this plant isn’t very hard-wearing, so you shouldn’t grow it in areas with high foot traffic.
Blue star creeper
Out of all the ground cover plants, my absolute favorite is the blue star creeper. It’s just so beautiful and quick to cover my space! This little plant spreads quickly, creating a lush, dense blanket of tiny green leaves with a delicate pale blue hue.
Corsican mint
Many beginners will love corsican mint that is easy to grow and good to smell. Whether you grow corsican mint in a sunny spot or a shady nook, it can thrive. And its soothing scent helps keep pests away, making it a fantastic companion for your garden.
Creeping wire vine
Creeping wire vine is a hardy evergreen perennial. It’s so tough that you can actually step on it! That makes it a great choice for families with lots of foot traffic. It is fast-spreading, so you don’t have to wait for long to get this dense blanket.
Veronica Waterperry Blue
Veronica Waterperry Blue is super tough and totally stepable which is perfect for replacing your lawn. Plus, it’s deer-resistant and can handle drought like a champ. Plant it in sunny borders or rock gardens and watch it thrive.
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is incredibly versatile as this plant works as a lawn substitute, adds some green on slopes, or spills over rocks for a naturally cascading look. Just a little heads up though - it grows pretty quickly. So, you might want to think twice before planting it around your stepping stones or creeping Jenny will run over them.
Bugleweed
Struggling to find a perfect sunny spot for your grass to flourish? No worries, Bugleweed has got your back! This little ground cover loves the shade and even shows off cute purple flowers in spring and autumn. It’s perfect for those tricky spots under trees where other plants might not be so happy.
However, consider using stepping stones or pathways in high-traffic zones. While it can handle light foot traffic, it's not as durable as traditional grass for heavy use areas.
6. Meadow lawn
Meadow lawns (tapestry lawns) include a variety of low-maintenance native plants interspersed with wildflowers. They not only beautify your garden but also attract various bugs and insects, which in turn draw insectivores, creating diversity.
7. Moss lawn
Imagine a lawn that’s always green, never needs mowing, weeding, or extra feeding – that’s the magic of a moss lawn! All it asks for is a cozy spot with plenty of shade and moisture, and it’ll thrive. It’s the perfect low-effort, high-reward choice for your garden!
8. Herb garden
I’m totally into this concept! It’s like hitting two birds with one stone: you get a cool lawn substitute and a fresh supply of eats. And hey, the delightful scent of herbs like thyme and oregano is a magnet for friendly pollinators. Plus, they’re super easy to take care of!
9. Artificial turf
Did you know that lush, grassy lawns in the south and southwestern regions demand crazy amounts of water and chemicals to stay green? If you are dealing with the same struggle, why not check out artificial turf? Nowadays, these faux options not only save water but also look surprisingly real, and feel super soft.
10. Carex (Sedge)
Carex, also known as sedge, belongs to a group of blade-like plants that resemble traditional turf. It’s a popular choice for those seeking an alternative to grass because it requires less mowing, watering, and fertilization.
There are many types of sedge, each suited to different conditions. Consider factors such as soil type, moisture level, and light availability to choose the best type for your area.
11. Rock garden
If you’re looking for an alternative to grass and live in a drought-prone area, a rock garden is a fantastic choice. These gardens don’t need frequent watering. Consider planting native species which can thrive in rocky conditions with minimal water.
12. Ornamental grass
When it comes to ornamental grasses in your landscape, the possibilities are endless! Personally, I adore using those taller, showy grasses as a lovely backdrop for medium to tall perennial wildflowers. If you want to conceal unsightly gas meters or transformers, these grasses work like magic screens.
13. Hardscaping
Hardscaping involves all the non-living elements in your landscape design. Think of things like athletic courts (tennis, basketball, volleyball), cozy fire pits or fireplaces, convenient outdoor kitchens, inviting patios, refreshing pools, serene ponds or water features, and practical walkways. The best part? Hardscaping expands your outdoor living area while minimizing the need for grass.
14. Native grass
Source
Deer grass, native in California
If you don’t want to spend more time and effort on the whole high-maintenance lawn care routine, native grasses are your new best friends. They are totally natural, so you don’t need much fussing over them.
By choosing suitable grass alternatives to traditional lawns, you can turn your space into a beautiful and functional yard that requires minimal time and effort to maintain.
