Low-Maintenance Alternatives to Grass Lawns

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9 Best Low-Maintenance Alternatives to Grass Lawns

Traditional grass lawns often require copious amounts of water, chemicals, and your free time to look good. That means they’re not exactly the most sustainable choice out there. However, before you start mourning the loss of your beloved lawn, hear me out. There are plenty of alternatives to grass that not only look fantastic but also play a crucial role in promoting biodiversity and reducing water consumption.

Yep, it’s time to give your lawn a sustainable makeover! We’re diving headfirst into the world of grass alternatives. From lush ground covers to vibrant flowers, we’ll explore the best options for transforming your outdoor space into a haven for both you and Mother Nature.

1. Native Grasses

When it comes to creating a sustainable lawn, native grasses are your best choice for all of the right reasons. Non-native grasses often require excessive watering, fertilizing, and pest control to look nice.

On the other hand, native grasses are uniquely adapted to thrive in their local environment. They’ve also evolved alongside the native climate and animals, making them resilient, low-maintenance, and very eco-friendly.

One of the most significant benefits of native grasses is their ability to conserve water. These hardy plants have deep root systems that reach far below the surface, allowing them to access water more efficiently and withstand periods of drought.

Plus, native grasses also play a vital role in supporting local biodiversity. They provide food, habitat, and shelter for a variety of small mammals, insects, and birds, creating a thriving ecosystem right in your backyard.

In North America, native grass options include buffalograss, blue grama, little bluestem, Indian grass, prairie dropseed, and switchgrass.

2. Clover

Clover used to be a very popular lawn option in the United States. Although it started to fall out of favor in the 1950s, it’s fortunately making a comeback as people begin to rediscover all of its amazing benefits.

First and foremost, clover is a nitrogen-fixing powerhouse. It can draw nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that other plants can use.

This means it acts as a natural fertilizer by enriching the soil with essential nutrients and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. That’s a win-win for both your garden and the environment!

Thanks to its deep taproot system, clover is also incredibly drought-tolerant and can access water more efficiently than shallow-rooted grasses. This means that clover requires far less water to maintain its lush green appearance, making it an ideal choice for water-wise landscapes.

Plus, let’s not forget about the bees! Clover’s small, fragrant flowers are a favorite food source for pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making it an invaluable addition to any garden seeking to support local wildlife.

If you want one of the best alternatives to grass that’s soft, lush, and green, look for a variety of clover that works well in your climate. This Lucky Lawn grass seed is a great option for almost the entire United States and has a high tolerance to shade, heat, drought, and foot traffic.

3. Creeping Phlox

If you’re dreaming of a lawn that bursts into a riot of color every spring, look no further than creeping phlox (zones 5-9). This hardy perennial is a flowering ground cover that’s native to the eastern United States and renowned for its pink, purple, blue, or white blossoms.

One of the best features of creeping phlox is its ability to grow almost anywhere. It will grow in nearly any type of soil as long as it gets full sun to partial shade.

However, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of creeping phlox is its resilience. Despite its delicate appearance, this tough little plant is surprisingly drought-tolerant, requiring minimal water and maintenance once established.

Plus, while deer don’t like to munch on creeping phlox, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators love it!

Even though creeping phlox is resilient, it’s not completely immune to problems. Phlox bugs are one of the common pests that can affect creeping phlox. The plant is also susceptible to nematodes, root rot, and powdery mildew.

4. Creeping Thyme

If you’re searching for a lawn alternative that not only looks stunning but also fills the air with a delightful fragrance, look no further than creeping thyme (zones 4-9). This low-growing herbaceous perennial is in the mint family. It grows tiny dark green leaves dotted with clusters of delicate pink, lavender, or white flowers in the summer months.

One of the biggest advantages of creeping thyme is that it’s incredibly low-maintenance. Unlike traditional grass lawns, which require regular mowing and edging, once creeping thyme is established, it requires little to no watering and it doesn’t require mowing.

Plus, while creeping thyme is resistant to deer and rabbits, pollinators love its attractive and fragrant flowers.

However, it’s important to note that creeping thyme can’t stand up to heavy foot traffic very well. This is why a lot of people choose to use it as a filler plant between stepping stones or as edging around the perimeter of the yard.

5. Creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny (zones 4–9) is another alternative to traditional grass lawns that’s bright and vibrant. This low-growing perennial has a cascade of golden-yellow foliage that adds a splash of cheerfulness to any landscape.

One of the standout features of creeping Jenny is its ability to thrive in moist, shady conditions, which makes it an excellent choice for areas of your yard where traditional grass struggles to grow. Plus, its vibrant foliage provides year-round interest.

Don’t let its delicate appearance fool you — creeping Jenny is surprisingly tough and resilient. Its spreading habit can be considered both a blessing and a nuisance.

It can rapidly fill in bare patches and suppress weeds, reducing the need for herbicides and chemical weed killers. However, it can also quickly establish itself in your yard and start to grow like wildfire.

Keep in mind that since creeping Jenny can easily take over anywhere it’s allowed to spread, some places consider it an invasive plant and local nurseries won’t sell it.

6. Sedum

When it comes to low-maintenance landscaping, few plants can rival the versatility and beauty of sedum (zones 3-9). This hardy succulent is renowned for its ability to thrive in poor soil, harsh climates, and even neglect.

Sedum has striking foliage that ranges from deep green to vibrant shades of pink, red, and gold, depending on the variety. Plus, in late summer and early fall, it erupts into a stunning display of star-shaped flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden.

While sedum does come in taller, upright varieties, if you’re looking for alternatives to grass, you’ll want to choose the low-growing, ground-cover type.

Thanks to its fleshy leaves and shallow root system, sedum is incredibly efficient at storing water. This gives it an amazing ability to withstand drought and conserve water, which is a crucial consideration in today’s increasingly arid climate.

7. Brass Buttons

Brass buttons (zones 7-9) is a delightful little plant that’s also known as Leptinella gruveri. When it grows, it forms a dense mat of tiny, fern-like leaves that resemble miniature buttons, hence its charming name.

It’s used as a lawn substitute in mild climates because it can tolerate a range of light and soil conditions. This resilient ground cover will happily spread its carpet of foliage, filling in bare patches and suppressing weeds. Plus, its compact size makes it an excellent choice for smaller yards and rock gardens.

Since the plant doesn’t grow very tall, you likely won’t need to mow it very much if at all. You can simply cut it once at the end of summer to tidy the plants and then let it fill in again.

Additionally, brass buttons has almost no issues with pests and diseases. Aphids can be a bit of a nuisance on new growth in spring, but you can easily blast them off with a strong spray of water.

It’s important to note that brass buttons is originally from New Zealand and is listed as a somewhat invasive plant in parts of California. If you live in those areas or you’re looking for a native grass alternative, brass buttons might not be the plant for you.

8. White Star Creeper

If you’re interested in a tranquil and serene lawn alternative, consider white star creeper (zones 6-9). This low-growing perennial, also known as Pratia angulata, forms a dense mat of tiny, emerald-green leaves, sprinkled with delicate white or blue flowers.

Since this plant thrives in moist, shady conditions, it’s an excellent choice for areas of your yard where grass struggles to grow. Whether you’re dealing with the dappled shade of trees or the cool, damp corners of your garden, this resilient ground cover will happily spread wherever it can.

Plus, even though it looks delicate, it can tolerate moderate to heavy foot traffic. This makes it an excellent option as a small lawn substitute, around pond areas, in between stepping stones, or planted around your perennials.

9. Xeriscape Landscaping

Suburban house with xeriscape landscaping

In an era where water conservation and environmental sustainability are paramount, xeriscape landscaping emerges as a shining example of how to create a beautiful outdoor space while minimizing water usage and environmental impact.

At its core, xeriscaping is a landscaping approach designed to reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental irrigation, making it particularly well-suited to regions prone to drought or water scarcity. By carefully selecting drought-tolerant plants, incorporating efficient irrigation systems, and utilizing water-saving techniques such as mulching and soil amendment, xeriscape landscapes can thrive even in the most arid climates.

One of the most significant advantages of xeriscape landscaping is its ability to conserve water. Traditional grass lawns require significant amounts of water to maintain their lush appearance, often contributing to water waste and strain on local water supplies. In contrast, xeriscape landscapes can significantly reduce outdoor water usage, helping you save money on your water bill while promoting responsible water usage.

But xeriscape landscaping offers far more than just water savings. It also enhances biodiversity, reduces maintenance requirements, and creates visually stunning outdoor spaces.

By using a variety of drought-tolerant plants, including native species and succulents, xeriscape landscapes attract pollinators, birds, and other wildlife to create a thriving ecosystem right in your backyard. Additionally, the low-maintenance nature of xeriscape landscapes means less time spent mowing, fertilizing, and watering, and more free time for you to enjoy your outdoor space!

The One Alternative to Grass You Should Avoid

When you’re searching for some of the best alternatives to grass, you might notice a lot of blogs include artificial grass as an option. At this point, you’ve probably also noticed that I haven’t listed it as a good alternative.

That’s because I don’t recommend artificial grass since the environmental and health issues far outweigh any potential benefits. First, unlike natural lawns, artificial grass absorbs heat to the point that it can become too hot to walk on in the warmer months.

Artificial grass is a petroleum-based product that often consists of polypropylene or nylon. In other words, it’s plastic made from fossil fuels.

This means once it’s installed it can release toxic fumes and lead to potential health issues like asthma and delayed development in children. Also, as it starts to break down from UV radiation, heat, cold, and moisture, it releases fragments of microplastic pollution into our environment.

Even artificial grass made from recycled materials like old tires or plastic bottles can leach dangerous chemicals into water runoff and contaminate nearby water sources.

Plus, natural lawns provide food and shelter for all types of insects and animals. When you get rid of your natural lawn, you’re causing wildlife loss that can have a domino effect on the entire ecosystem.

Worst of all, artificial grass can trap dust, dirt, skin, blood, and animal waste and become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Unfortunately, terrible staff infections from artificial grass are actually quite common.

Why You Should Make the Switch to These Alternatives to Grass

Making the switch to grass alternatives isn’t just a trend — it’s a crucial step toward building a more sustainable future for our planet. There are several important reasons why you should consider ditching your traditional grass lawn in favor of an eco-friendly alternative.

First and foremost, grass alternatives offer significant water savings. Traditional lawns require vast amounts of water to maintain their lush appearance, especially in regions prone to drought or water scarcity.

By switching to drought-tolerant alternatives such as native grasses, clover, or xeriscape landscaping, you can drastically reduce your outdoor water usage. Not only will this save you money, but it also helps conserve water for other essential needs and minimizes the strain on local water supplies.

Additionally, grass alternatives help improve biodiversity and ecosystem health. Unlike monoculture grass lawns, which offer little habitat or food for wildlife, alternative ground covers attract pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. This helps create a healthier and more balanced environment for all living creatures.

Grass alternatives also require less maintenance and chemicals than traditional lawns. Since alternatives to grass need minimal watering, mowing, fertilizing, and pesticide use, you can reduce pollution, protect soil health, reduce carbon emissions from lawn care practices, and save time, money, and energy while still enjoying a beautiful outdoor space.

Enjoy the Beauty of the Best Alternatives to Grass

It’s clear that traditional grass lawns are no longer the only option for creating beautiful, functional outdoor spaces. By embracing a variety of alternatives, we can not only reduce our environmental impact but also enhance the beauty and biodiversity of our landscapes.

Whether you’re seeking to conserve water, support local wildlife, or simply reduce the time and effort spent on lawn maintenance, there are alternatives to grass out there to suit your needs. Each option offers its own unique benefits and charms, allowing you to create a personalized outdoor oasis that reflects your values and priorities.

So why wait? Take the first step toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly lawn today. You’ll be making a positive difference for the planet while enjoying a beautiful outdoor space for years to come.

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