15 Grass Alternatives For Your Lawn

Americans are rethinking their relationship to lawns. While traditional turfgrasses do serve many purposes in the landscape, such as a place to play, erosion control, and mitigating solar heat, they are not always the best solution. They require vast amounts of time and resources to maintain while supporting little ecological diversity. In the face of increasing drought and water restrictions, the time has come to consider grass alternatives.  

Whether you are wanting to attract more pollinators to your landscape or are looking to replace struggling turfgrass in the shade, there is a grass alternative to meet your needs. Consider the function you want your lawn area to serve when selecting plants. Lawns are traditionally used to stabilize soil and provide a surface for playing, walking, or gathering. In landscape design, lawns create cohesion, providing an open framework around which gardens are laid. From flowering perennials to native sedges, there are grass alternatives to meet each of these needs. Often, the best solution is a mosaic of several low-growing plants from our list of the best grass alternatives.

Green And Gold

• Botanical Name: Chrysogonum virginianum

• Sun Exposure: Full to partial shade

• Soil Type: Moist, well-draining, rich

• Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.8)

This native ground cover creates a mat of bright green foliage topped with sunny yellow flowers. Plants bloom heavily in spring through early summer, then on and off throughout the remainder of the growing season. Green and gold provides a gorgeous alternative to grass beneath trees and also looks fabulous edging woodland paths. Plants spread by rhizome and may self-seed in the garden but are easy to keep contained. Note that foliage is semi-evergreen and may go dormant in winter. Depending on the type you select, some green and gold grows to 6 inches when in bloom, while others like ‘Eco-Lacquered Spider’ hug the ground even while flowering.

Creeping Speedwell

• Botanical Name: Veronica repens

• Sun Exposure: Full, partial

• Soil Type: Average, well-draining

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.0-8.0)

Another hardy ground cover for areas with moderate foot traffic, creeping speedwell produces a 1 or 2-inch carpet of deep green evergreen foliage. There are gold-leaved varieties like 'Sunshine' for those who want to light up their lawn. Spring brings a flush of dainty white to lavender-blue flowers, while autumn paints the foliage with burgundy accents. Plant it in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4 to 8 in well-draining, moist soil in the sun. Creeping speedwell makes a great lawn substitute and works well between pavers or as an edging along pathways. Plants resist deer and rabbit browsing.

Creeping Thyme

• Botanical Name: Thymus serphyllum

• Sun Exposure: Full

• Soil Type: Dry to average, well-draining

• Soil pH: Neutral (6.5-7.5)

Creeping thyme tolerates moderate foot traffic, making it a suitable alternative to turf in many areas of the landscape. Showy, dark pink flowers cover the cushiony foliage in early summer, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. Evergreen in mild Southern winters, the blue-green foliage releases a pleasant fragrance when walked upon. Creeping thyme does not tolerate wet soil and prefers gritty or sandy conditions. Cut back stems as needed to reduce woody growth.

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Blue Star Creeper

• Botanical Name: Isotoma fluviatilis

• Sun Exposure: Partial, dappled

• Soil Type: Moist, well-draining

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic (5.5-6.5)

Blue star creeper forms a lush mat of deep green foliage that stands up to kids and pets. Plants bloom over a long season from spring through summer, covering plants with white to pale blue blossoms. Blue star creeper is an excellent lawn substitute for moist soils and looks great between pavers or as an edging plant. In hot Southern gardens, plants perform best in dappled or afternoon shade. Plant it in Zones 6 to 8.

Pennsylvania Sedge

• Botanical Name: Carex pensylvanica

• Sun Exposure: Full to partial shade

• Soil Type: Dry to Medium, Well-draining

• Soil pH: Slightly Acidic (5.5-6.5)

An excellent lawn alternative for dry shade, Pennsylvania or oak sedge provides the look and feel of grass without the fuss. Growing just 6 to 10 inches tall, Pennsylvania sedge requires mowing just once or twice a season to maintain a stand around 3 inches tall. Foliage is semi-evergreen in mild winters and turns a golden tan in autumn. Plants spread by rhizome to form loose colonies. A mature Pennsylvania sedge lawn has a lovely, billowing look, but this plant doesn't take foot traffic or do well south of Zone 8.

Dutch Clover

• Botanical Name: Trifolium repens

• Sun Exposure: Full, partial

• Soil Type: Average

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)

Once a common component of lawns, clovers were eradicated from turf with the advent of lawn chemicals following World War II, much to the detriment of both lawns and pollinators. Clovers are nitrogen-fixing plants and integrating them into lawns helps reduce fertilizer needs. Clovers also provide a valuable source of nectar to native pollinators. White or Dutch clover is the most common clover used in lawns today. A compact variety called micro clover has gained popularity as a lawn substitute. Clovers tolerate heavy foot traffic, but can look a little beaten down. You can grow it almost anywhere in the South in full sun or light shade.

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Sweet Woodruff

• Botanical Name: Galium odoratum

• Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade

• Soil Type: Moist, well-draining

• Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.8)

Sweet woodruff is a gorgeous, 6 to 12-inch tall ground cover for shade gardens that looks beautiful planted in large swaths. It does not tolerate foot traffic but provides excellent coverage in heavy shade. Plants tolerate deer and rabbit browsing and even grow well beneath black walnut trees. Small, fragrant white flowers open in loose bundles in spring. Sweet woodruff can be grown in Zones 4 to 8 and may need watering during summer's dry spells to keep from going dormant. This plant can be aggressive in some gardens.

Creeping Phlox

• Botanical Name: Phlox subulata

• Sun Exposure: Full, partial

• Soil Type: Well-draining, rich

• Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.8)

This native perennial tolerates hot, dry sites and provides erosion control in a variety of garden settings. Showy blooms in hues of pink, purple, blue, or white attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden. Creeping phlox provides a colorful semi-evergreen ground cover in areas where walkable surfaces are not needed. Plants spread quickly and tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including rocky or salty sites.

Creeping Mazus

• Botanical Name: Mazus reptans

• Sun Exposure: Full, partial

• Soil Type: Moist to wet, well-draining

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to alkaline (6.0 to 8.5)

This tough ground cover makes an excellent lawn alternative in small areas. Plants tolerate foot traffic, occasional mowing, and a range of soil conditions, as long as it is moist. Gorgeous purple-blue flowers add color in spring through early summer. Mazus also works well between stepping stones or as a ground cover in rain gardens.

Selfheal

• Botanical Name: Prunella vulgaris ssp. lanceolata

• Sun Exposure: Full, partial

• Soil Type: Moist, well-draining

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (5.5-8.0)

Another plant once common in lawns and considered a weed by some, selfheal is being promoted as a component of “bee lawns”—mixed lawn plantings for recreational use that also provide nectar resources for native pollinators. Selfheal is a native perennial with purple blooms mid to late summer, providing nectar for native bees and butterflies. It is also a host plant for larvae of the clouded sulphur butterfly. It benefits from partial shade in hot gardens and can be grown in Zones 4 to 9.

Irish Moss

• Botanical Name: Sagina subulata

• Sun Exposure: Partial Shade, Afternoon Shade

• Soil Type: Moist, well-draining, rich

• Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.5-7.0)

Not a true moss, Irish moss is a ground cover related to carnations. Plants mimic moss, producing dense mats of fine, deep green foliage that hugs the ground. Small white daisy-like flowers cover plants in spring and emerge periodically throughout the season. Irish moss is evergreen and tolerates moderate to heavy foot traffic, making a lovely lawn alternative. It looks beautiful planted between flagstone or stepping stones. Grow it in Zones 4 to 8 in evenly moist, rich soil.

Dwarf Mondo Grass

• Botanical Name: Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana'

• Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade

• Soil Type: Moist, well-draining

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic (5.5-6.5)

This deep green, grass-like plant makes an ideal mow-free lawn substitute for shaded areas. Plants stand up to foot traffic, drought, salt spray, and animal browsing. Dwarf mondo grass thrives in heavy shade and can be grown under black walnut trees. The main challenge with dwarf mondo is its price tag. Plants, especially the black variety called 'Nigrescens,' tend to be expensive and slow growing. This plant requires more moisture in sunny lawns.

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Frogfruit

• Botanical Name: Phyla nodiflora

• Sun Exposure: Full, partial

• Soil Type: Moderately moist

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.0-8.0)

Gardeners in places as diverse as Texas and Florida are planting frogfruit as a lawn alternative. Though it looks nothing like your typical lawn grass, this low-growing native perennial provides evergreen foliage and abundant blooms for color all year long. Plants bloom throughout most of the year, attracting a diversity of skippers and butterflies, including Queens and the endangered Miami blue butterfly. Plants are quite adaptable to a range of sun and soil conditions.

Sedum

• Botanical Name: Sedum spurium 'John Creech'

• Sun Exposure: Full, light shade

• Soil Type: Well-draining

• Soil pH: Slightly Acidic to slightly alkaline (5.5 - 7.8)

Growing as a low, dense mat, 'John Creech' sedum is one tough ground cover. Despite the fleshy leaves, plants tolerate moderate foot traffic. They also stand up to heat and drought. Plants are not bothered by deer or rabbits and tolerate poor soil. A late summer flush of vibrant pink blooms attracts butterflies to the garden. Use it as a ground cover along walkways, to stabilize soil on sunny banks or slopes, or to edge patios.

Moss

• Botanical Name: Hypnum spp., Thuidium delicatulum

• Sun Exposure: Full shade, dappled

• Soil Type: Moist

• Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-5.5)

Why fight the moss that keeps appearing in your lawn when it has the potential to create a lush, green landscape? Moss does particularly well in full or dappled shade on moist, acidic soils. It typically goes dormant during hot, dry spells, then revives with a good rain. Moss requires no fertilizer and much less watering than a traditional lawn. Sheet moss can withstand moderate foot traffic as well.

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