Swapping your traditional grass lawn for a more eco-friendly alternative is a great way to save water, reduce maintenance, and create a beautiful yard year-round. These green options are better for the environment and easier on your time and wallet. If you aim for a natural look, pollinator-friendly plants, or just want something that stays green without much effort, these eco-conscious ground covers and lawn alternatives will keep your outdoor space lush with less work.
1. Clover
Clover is a favorite low-maintenance lawn replacement. It stays green through drought, enriches the soil with nitrogen, and resists weeds naturally. Bees love it, making it a pollinator-friendly choice. White clover is common and soft underfoot. It also needs less mowing than traditional grass. Plus, clover doesn’t mind a bit of foot traffic.
2. Creeping Thyme
This fragrant herb forms a dense green mat that’s great for sunny spots. Creeping thyme blooms with tiny purple flowers in summer, attracting bees and butterflies. It's drought-resistant, low-growing, and handles light foot traffic. Use it between stepping stones or as a full ground cover. It’s also edible and adds a fresh scent to your garden. Very little mowing or watering is needed.
3. Moss
Moss thrives in shady, damp areas where grass struggles. It creates a soft, cushiony carpet and never needs mowing. Moss absorbs water wells, which also help prevent runoff and erosion. It’s great for woodland gardens or low-light yards. Moss requires little maintenance once established. Just keep it moist and free of debris.
4. Buffalo Grass
Buffalo grass is native to North America and thrives with little water. It grows slowly, so you rarely need to mow. It turns golden brown in winter but comes back lush in spring. It’s perfect for sunny areas and adds a prairie-style vibe. Buffalo grass resists pests and tolerates heat well. It also spreads easily with minimal care.
5. Sedum
Sedum, or stonecrop, is a succulent that comes in many colors and textures. It’s ideal for dry, sunny areas and rock gardens. Once rooted, sedum requires almost no watering and spreads nicely. It’s perfect for adding visual interest and a pop of color. Some types bloom with tiny star-shaped flowers. Sedum also helps attract pollinators.
6. Blue Star Creeper
This low-growing plant forms a dense mat of green with tiny blue flowers. Blue Star Creeper handles light foot traffic and grows well in both sun and partial shade. It spreads quickly, filling in bare spots nicely. It’s often used between pavers or along walkways. Blue Star Creeper needs minimal watering and no mowing. Its soft texture is perfect for barefoot walks.
7. Dutch White Clover
Dutch white clover is a popular micro-lawn option. It stays green most of the year, requires little mowing, and attracts beneficial insects. It fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving the health of other plants. It’s great for areas with moderate foot traffic. This clover is soft, cool, and naturally weed-resistant. You’ll also enjoy its small white blooms in spring and summer.
8. Yarrow
Yarrow is a hardy, flowering plant that makes a striking alternative to grass. It tolerates drought, poor soil, and light foot traffic. Its fern-like foliage adds texture, while its blooms attract bees and butterflies. Once established, yarrow requires little water or mowing. It’s perfect for naturalized or cottage-style gardens and also helps control erosion.
9. Prairie Dropseed
Prairie dropseed is a native ornamental grass with fine-textured leaves that form graceful mounds. It adds elegance to natural landscapes while requiring minimal upkeep. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It produces airy flower plumes in late summer with a subtle, sweet fragrance. Prairie dropseed supports pollinators and blends beautifully into prairie or meadow-style gardens. It's ideal for erosion control and adds movement and texture to the landscape year-round.
10. Chamomile
Roman chamomile is a soft, fragrant ground cover that adds charm to any yard. It produces daisy-like flowers and can be mowed lightly to keep it tidy. It grows well in the sun and tolerates some dryness. Chamomile releases a pleasant scent when walked on. Bees and butterflies also love their blooms and it’s great for relaxed, whimsical landscapes.
11. Blue Grama
Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a native ornamental grass known for its delicate, eyelash-like seed heads. It thrives in sunny, dry conditions and needs very little water once established. This low-maintenance grass grows in clumps and spreads slowly, creating a soft, natural look. Blue grama requires minimal mowing and adds graceful movement to the landscape. Ideal for prairie-style landscapes, it also boosts biodiversity.
12. Zoysia Grass
Zoysia is a warm-season grass that requires less water and mowing than traditional lawns. It’s dense, soft, and tolerant of foot traffic. Zoysia spreads slowly but forms a thick mat over time. It resists pests and grows well in sunny areas. Though it goes dormant in cooler weather, it bounces back quickly in spring. A solid choice for eco-conscious homeowners.
13. Mondo Grass
Mondo grass isn’t a true grass, but it looks like one and works well in shady spots. It forms tidy clumps and spreads slowly over time. It’s low-maintenance and needs little watering once established. Mondo grass resists pests and creates a lush, green carpet. Great for under trees or in tricky areas where grass won’t grow. It’s also evergreen in warmer climates.
14. Carex (Sedge)
Carex, also known as sedge, is a grass-like plant that thrives in both sun and shade. It's low-maintenance, tolerates poor soil, and adds a graceful, arching texture to the yard. Some species stay evergreen, while others turn golden in the fall. Carex handles light foot traffic and doesn’t need regular mowing. It's ideal for rain gardens and natural landscapes. Choose native varieties for best results.
15. Lippia
Also called Phyla nodiflora, lippia is a tough ground cover that thrives in heat and poor soil. It produces small purple or white flowers and spreads quickly. Lippia is drought-tolerant and ideal for low-maintenance yards. It can handle some foot traffic and resist erosion. It’s commonly used in the southern U.S. and coastal areas. Once established, it chokes out weeds.
16. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff is perfect for shady areas where grass won’t grow. It spreads gently and produces tiny white flowers in spring. Its leaves give off a sweet scent when crushed. This plant prefers moist soil and grows well under trees or along borders. It’s deer-resistant and attracts pollinators. Ideal for cottage or woodland-style gardens.
17. Frog Fruit
Frog fruit is a hardy, low-growing native that thrives in sun or partial shade. It produces small white to lavender blooms that attract butterflies. It spreads fast, covering ground quickly without much care. Frog fruit handles light foot traffic and is often used in eco-restoration projects. It’s a great alternative for warm climates. It also tolerates poor soil and drought.
18. Ajuga
Ajuga, or bugleweed, is a colorful ground cover for shaded or partly sunny areas. It forms dense mats with deep green, bronze, or purple leaves. In spring, it sends up spikes of blue flowers that attract bees. Ajuga spreads fast and suppresses weeds. It’s great around trees, borders, and even slopes. Ajuga prefers moist, well-drained soil.
19. Partridge Feather
Partridge feather is a silvery, low-growing ground covered with soft, fern-like foliage. It thrives in sunny, dry areas and uniquely texture any garden. This drought-tolerant plant is ideal for borders, slopes, and rock gardens. Its subtle yellow flowers bloom in summer, attracting pollinators. Partridge feather spreads slowly and requires minimal upkeep. It's especially appealing in xeriscapes and Mediterranean-style landscapes.
20. Dichondra
Dichondra creates a soft, trailing mat of small kidney-shaped leaves. It stays green in mild climates and needs little maintenance. It’s good for ground cover or mixed into turf alternatives. Dichondra tolerates light foot traffic and grows in sun or part shade. It also works between pavers or as edging. Some varieties are used as “living mulch.”
21. Native Grasses
Native grasses like fescue, little bluestem, or prairie dropseed are sustainable and beautiful. They require minimal watering, resist pests, and support local wildlife. These grasses create a natural, flowing look and thrive without chemicals. Many go dormant in winter but return in spring. They're ideal for meadow-style or low-maintenance yards. Mow once or twice a year for a tidy appearance.
22. Strawberry Plants
Strawberries are an edible, spreading ground cover with pretty white flowers and red fruit. They grow well in sunny spots and are great for kids' gardens. Use them along borders or in mixed plantings. Strawberries help hold soil and prevent erosion. They need moderate water and appreciate mulch. Bonus: You get sweet treats in summer!
23. Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is a fast-growing ground cover with bright green or golden leaves. It thrives in moist soil and partial shade but can grow in sun too. Its trailing stems are great for borders, hanging baskets, or slopes. Creeping Jenny helps control erosion and adds a splash of color. It’s not ideal for heavy traffic. Keep it trimmed to prevent spread.
24. Pussytoes
This native ground cover has soft, silvery leaves that resemble a cat’s paw. It’s drought-tolerant, low-growing, and spreads slowly. Pussytoes thrive in sunny, dry spots and attract pollinators. They're often used in natural or xeriscape gardens. These plants are great for rock gardens and borders. Once they're established, minimal care is needed.
25. Corsican Mint
Corsican mint is a fragrant, low-growing herb that forms a soft, green carpet. It thrives in part shade and moist soil. When stepped on, it releases a refreshing mint scent. It’s perfect between pavers, along paths, or in small garden spaces. Corsican mint is unsuitable for heavy foot traffic but adds charm to quiet corners. It's also deer-resistant.
26. Irish Moss
Irish moss creates a lush, cushion-like cover in shady, moist areas. It’s bright green and spreads slowly but evenly. It loves cool, damp climates and adds texture to your garden. Irish moss stays low and soft, perfect for fairy gardens or stepping stone gaps. It needs regular moisture to thrive. Minimal mowing or trimming is required.
27. Ice Plant
Ice plants are vibrant, spreading succulents that thrive in hot, dry conditions. Known for its eye-catching pink, purple, or yellow blooms, it adds brilliant color to your landscape. The fleshy leaves store water, making it extremely drought-tolerant. Ice plant spreads quickly and covers ground with ease, perfect for slopes or borders. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. This low-maintenance plant also resists pests and erosion.
Your Greener, Easier Yard Awaits
Ditching the high-maintenance grass lawn doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty or function. These eco-friendly alternatives offer charm, color, and resilience without the heavy upkeep. No matter your yard’s needs—be it to welcome wildlife, conserve water, or stand out with bold colors—there’s a smart, sustainable choice waiting. Choose one or mix a few for a lush, sustainable outdoor space. With less mowing, watering, and weeding, your yard will be happier—and so will you.