18 Easy Grass Alternatives for Your Lawn

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Americans love our lawns , and we would wish to save some time maintain those gullible space while also keep curb appeal . pasturage lawns have a utilitarian determination in the landscape as play spaces and for their chill effects . But a large lawn can take some clock time , water , and mowing to maintain . Plenty of folk are consider replacing some or all of their turf with lawn option for a more sustainable landscape , especially in drought - prone areas .

If you ’ve commence the itch to trench your grass , we ’ve got plenty of sens replacement options other thanartificial grass . Some of the most grand , green , and well - design yards you ’ve ever date do n’t have a single blade of grass , and are exceedingly easy to maintain .

Woman watering garden

Photo: istockphoto.com

Why You Should Consider Sustainable Lawn Alternatives

depend on where you live , 30 percent to 50 percent of your home weewee economic consumption goes to sod and other landscaping . With drouth patterns exchange and urine shortages a reality , even in American metropolis , we all could assume some of the Southwest ’s xeriscaping principles to do our part for the environs and our monthly water eyeshade .

Just mind of a big misconception aboutxeriscaping : It means making landscape painting more waterwise and appropriate for the local environs . It does n’t stand for pulling out all the grass and replacing it with gravel . But lawns that include too much grass , the wrong type of grass , or Mary Jane in a bad spot require more water and maintenance than is sustainable . When you guess about lowering water usage and lawn aid , start with these steps before peruse the gentle - care lawn alternatives that follow .

Thinking about supervene upon your grass lawn ? Here are modest steps you could take to get commence :

Native turf grass lawn

Photo: americanmeadows.com

Sustainable Alternatives to Grass Lawns

The best choice to grass lawn change depending on how much lawn you want to replace , the clime in which you live , tincture or other atmospheric condition in the yard , and personal preference . Get brainchild for your space from The these design ideas and industrial plant selections — there ’s sure to be ideas here that work for your situation .

1. Native Turf Grasses

One of the reasons many lawn expend so much water is that the plant grass is not the best fit for the region where it grow . When put back a water supply - thirsty lawn , moot alternate native sens . drouth - tolerantoptions let in buffalo grass , Bermuda green goddess , bahiagrass , and blue grama . The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin , Texas , developed a aboriginal turfgrass mixture for the dry regions of the Southwest calledHabiturf , and found it looks and feel much like hybrid sod grasses .

Even though aboriginal grasses practice less body of water , most do require some irrigation , pout , and maintenance . Still , a grass adapted for your neighborhood and climate is the least amount of work and the most sustainable for any rest turf areas of the landscape painting .

2. Veronica

Veronica , or Speedwell , is a various , sturdy , and evergreen plant solid ground natural covering choice for homeowners seeking grass replacement . Once the humiliated - grower ( 1 to 2 inches gamy ) spreads , it mould a dense cover of small , succulent - similar leave and late spring to early summertime flowers . Veronica Snowmass ( Blue - eyed Speedwell ) loads up with tiny livid - petaled prime with gamy optic . Veronica Waterperry Blue mature a small larger ( about 5 inches in high spirits ) in geographical zone 4 through 8 and its leave-taking have copper tinge , while the flowers have lilac-colored petals and white heart . Turkish speedwell has purplish - downcast flowers and grows to nearly 2 inches tall .

Most type of Veronica can grow in full sunshine in zone 3 through 10 and aredeer - resistant plants . They fill in well between flagstones or gaps , and need small to no maintenance once they ’re found .

3. Gravel

For a simple solution to drop orbit of the yard — like those landing strip of grass along the side of the business firm , and funny areas — replace your grass withgravel . Gravel mulch is effective around plants that love warmth and can tolerate low body of water . With some creativity , you’re able to add color or shape with humiliated all right orpea gravel , creating a utile track at the same clip .

mind of using gravel in highly cheery spots , however , like near the west side of a house , because it can actually can increase temperatures around house walls . You might preserve on water but pay more to cool the home , or inadvertently make your favorite porch or patio unbearably hot in summer .

4. Raised Edible Gardens

Converting an sticky region of the lawn into a vegetable and herb garden with raised planters put up a variety of benefits : You will in all likelihood save water on growing vegetables by fill theraised bedswith stain that ’s more suited to the plants than local territory offer . Instead of neutralize pee spraying the sidewalk next to a queerly mold portion of grass , habituate soaker hose or a simpledrip irrigation systemto pee your veggie and fill up your plate .

grow your own foodcan end up saving you money ( and trip to the depot ) , and you ca n’t get fresher , more locally acquire veggies . Be sure to mark local ordinance regarding edible gardens , however , before rip out the lawn and replacing it with put up bed , particularly if you ’re situating the seam in your front yard .

5. Bugleweed

When it comes to grass successor for shady areas of the landscape , it ’s hard to beatbugleweed(Ajuga reptans ) . Its alternative name of Carpet Bugle yield a hint to how well this unfolding dry land cover cattle ranch by runners . Amazingly , bugle can grow in spot with full Dominicus , but it in reality execute comfortably in shade . institute this evergreen plant to semi - evergreen crawl plant if you need a grass option that can handle interchange sunlight conditions .

Its showy leaves ( for lesson , grey - green in Silver Beauty , variegated with Toffee Chip , and deep red ink in Mahogany ) look most attractive spilling over boulders in rock gardens . Keep its slightly acidic soil just moist and enjoy the colorful foliage and diminutive bluish - purple efflorescence stem in mid to late leap .

6. Mulch

Organic mulches like cedar or pine bark chips can replace grass quite well for a agrestic land natural covering . Plus , organic mulch finally breaks down toimprove land healthbelow . A 3- to 4 - inch layer ofmulchcuts down on weeds and decoct the amount of water needed by trees or other flora it surrounds . Before you lie in the mulch down , position permeablelandscaping clothon the bare soil to prevent weeds from growing to the surface . Dog possessor should avoid Cocoa mulch , because it can be lethal to bow-wow .

7. Culinary Herbs

Home chefs , why not put back your grass with some undercoat cover that double as kitchen staple and pollinator magnets ? Many of the flora in this list are herbs and can spread prolifically ( sometimes too much , in the case of mint ) . Take time to research those that are eatable and grow in your area for a lawn - turned - herb - garden . Hellenic pot marjoram is cold - stalwart to nearly geographical zone 5A , circulate well , reaches at least 6 inches high , and taste delicious on pizza . Sweet woodruff create a dull Master of Arts in Teaching of light sweet-scented parting that become more aromatic when dried ; it grows to about 6 to 12 inches high .

Another herb favorite for soil cover isCorsican mint , which spring up almost at reason level and handle full sun to part wraith in zona 6 through 9 ; its leaves create the flavour in crème de menthe . AGerman chamomilelawn will pass nearly 2 feet in high spirits and fill with daisy - like flower . Even culinary thyme can spread to encompass a bare spot and emit its alone fragrance . If allow to flower , its petite light purple heyday attract pollinator . Although culinary herb might require some pruning or ascendancy , cut short stalks to use in beauty or mint julep can make it all worthwhile .

8. Hardscaping

hackneyed of mowing ? Turn your backyard into a hardscaped hobo camp with a adorable young terrace , walkway , or other hardscaping labor . stomp concrete , patio pavers , or instinctive stone can create a stunning and operative blank . Surround the border with succulent ornamental grasses , colorful blossom , or low - water natives . Or reset the space with a few well - placedcontainersbrimming with verdure . You wo n’t even miss that plane section of lawn .

9. Creeping Thyme

For some abode gardeners , a property that ’s full ofrainbow of bloomsis a crowning achievement , but for others , simplicity is perfection . If no - nonsense verdure is your idea of great design , exchange the lawn with a low - grow perennial likecreeping thymeor wooly thyme . Creeping mixed bag usually bloom heavily with delicate lily-white , royal , or pink flowers . Wooly thyme forms a dumb mat of tiny gray - green leaves . Both fill in well between pavers or other strip . Like green goddess , these ground covers can stand up to foot dealings but with the added reward of being mow - gratis .

10. Rock Garden

To achieve a mix of colours and textures , produce a rock garden with stones andflowers . select native flowers for the easiest caution . The rugged simplicity of the rock will counterpoint nicely with the vibrant heyday , create a one - of - a - kind backyard feature film . Plus , once the bloom fade off in the winter , you ’ll still revel the ocular interest of the boulders spread out throughout your property .

11. Walk-on Plants

Like creeping thyme and other plants on this tilt , flock of lesser - recognize low growers can handle animal foot traffic . Use theseplants as supergrass alternativesin region that get some — but not too much — pes traffic , like on the way to garden bed or between pavers or flagstones . Some nurseries separate “ steppable ” plants so you’re able to easy find the best ones for your sphere .

A few examples of ground covers that abide some foot traffic are Shamrock Clover ( Trifolium ) , which has two - toned green clover folio and flowers in early summer in zones 4 through 9 , and dwarf Mondo locoweed ( also called monkey grass ) . Its evergreen tufts and small summertime flowers ask little maintenance and no mowing . It can spring up in Lord’s Day or part shade , like under trees , in zones 7 through 10 . Blue Star Creeper , orLaurentia fluviatilis , boom in zones 5 to 9 as an evergreen or semi - evergreen broadcaster less than an column inch mellow and able to take some pounding from foot . Sky - blue blossom come along from outpouring through fall .

12. An Outdoor Living Space

blow up your living space to the outdoors and substitute some sod with support spaces that incorporate outdoor furniture and appliances : Put some terrace furniture together and make a second sustenance way , build up a dedicatedfire cavity , or establish anoutdoor kitchen . As the pandemic limited activities , a 2021 survey find that 90 percent of Americans withoutdoor life spaceslike pack of cards , porch , and patios were using them more .

13. Moss-like Spreaders

Homeowners who like turf ’s “ dark-green carpeting ” look but do not like mowing can pull out smoke and replace it with a rug of moss - same ground cover ; in return , they get a cubic yard with easier guardianship and less watering . Though truemoss thrives in wet shade , these moss flavour - alikes are various and easy - caution grass alternatives .

Irish moss(Sagina subulata ) grows rapidly to shape a thick , humbled mat of green to dark green foliage along the ground . It can produce tiny white flowers in springiness to mid - summer in geographical zone 4 to 8 . For a dense neon - yellow carpeting issue , try yellow Scotch moss ( Sagina subulata‘Aurea ’ ) , which grows in full Sunday or part ghost in zone 4 through 8 . These plants are not drought - broad , but are depleted - maintenance and rapidly growing alternatives to Gunter Grass .

14. A Water Feature

Water feature are fair easy to maintain , and they make a visual focal period in your garden . Consider replacing some of your grass with a fountain , pool , or super - sized bird bath . Awater featureis not the most eco - friendly alternative to grass , especially in hot and dry areas , but raspberry baths and small fountains can provide focal points in a landscape painting and soothe livid interference to block out strait of dealings .

When done right , a water feature canattract birdsand other wildlife to the yard . In desert area , create adry river bedthat doubles as a theatre director of runoff from a ceiling or high areas of the yard down to trees or other plants .

15. Ornamental Grasses

If you ’re not quick to part with Mary Jane wholly , make a show - block up display withornamental sens . The recollective brand are a lowly - maintenance option to a traditionallawn , requiring only episodic trimming , but growing best in no - traffic areas or next to route . Most are drouth - tolerant , many are native , and they bring home the bacon wintertime interest as their stems fade but “ flowers ” ( source stalks ) stay to botch up in the breaking wind and feed birds as temperatures send away .

Although there are wad of varieties to choose from at menage and garden centers , take those with downcast - upkeep and broken - weewee requirements that expand in your area . The foliage of piddling Bluestem turns from bluish - green in summer to reddish purple in fall in zones 3 through 8 . Amerindic Grass is another low - water decorative pot that grow to virtually 8 feet high with bronze seeds in fall to tip songbirds .

16. Appropriate Shade Trees

One of the drawbacks of removing a lawn is that it also takes away cooling effects on the cubic yard , and even the house . Offset it with a upright oasis of tree diagram , which also offer privacy , shade , hint recess , and even aura purgation . The sustainable path here , however , is to prefer trees that are local to your area and that will need the least amount of water . drouth - kind Northern Red Oak grows quickly , offers fall color , and arise in zones 3 through 8 . Scots Pine can plow low-toned water after the first year , is evergreen , and turn in zone 3 through 7 .

Note that Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can take long time to mature to their full height . If you convince your grass lawn to gravel or hardscaping , head off placing plastic weed barriers around a tree diagram , which can deplete root of oxygen and water . Be certain to opt a permeable woven material ( and even permeable pavers ) if you place these material on the ground below the tree ’s expected canopy size .

17. Native Wildflower Meadow

A nativewildflower meadowcan expect lush and colorful , but can save some time and water over thirsty turf lawn . Try taking out a fond section of lawn , like the region along fences or path that are more hard to pout , or along property line and sow it with wildflowers . A mini - hayfield provide a focal distributor point for the landscape , a attractive feature for pollinators , plus some cut flowers to bring indoors in summer .

This lawn choice choose a little more work than some , especially upfront to get up the former area of lawn toclear weeds and gage . Most seed mixes check both annual and repeated blossom , and often will reseed class after twelvemonth , cut down on subsequent sustenance . And even though the wildflowers might require a little watering and sustenance , the result of that work is a natural habitat for skirt and butterfly .

18. Container Garden

If you love acquire flower or food , trade in your lawn mower and for a simple spade andwatering can . A container garden is a good option to a lawn in areas where atmospheric condition change as summer progress . It ’s easy to move a plastic pot in or out of shade . Although container can dry out faster than garden bed , the growing area is confine and easy to irrigate by hand , avoiding the waste matter of water evaporating fromlawn sprinklers .

posture colorful planter throughout the yard for welcome cheer and coloration , peculiarly in areas where you already replaced turf with gravel or hardscaping .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

Speedwell veronica plants in garden

Photo: provenwinnersdirect.com

We ’ll help you position up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a provoke bed , or an in - dry land plot out back — and choose the right plant life for your soil and region .

Building with gravel lawn