Tired of mowing the lawn every weekend? Looking for a beautiful alternative to traditional grass that uses less water? Ground covers offer a gorgeous solution that can transform your outdoor space while saving time, money, and precious resources.
Traditional lawns demand constant watering, mowing, and maintenance. But ground covers provide lush, low-maintenance alternatives that thrive with minimal care. They combat weeds naturally, prevent soil erosion, and create stunning visual impact throughout your landscape.
Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme creates a magical carpet of tiny leaves and delicate flowers that release a wonderful fragrance when stepped on. This drought-tolerant perennial only grows 2-4 inches tall but spreads quickly to form dense mats that choke out weeds naturally. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs beautifully in USDA zones 4-9.
The vibrant purple, pink, or white flowers attract beneficial pollinators while requiring minimal maintenance once established. Unlike water-guzzling grass, creeping thyme needs watering only during extreme drought conditions. It even tolerates light foot traffic, making it perfect for pathways or between stepping stones.
Corsican Mint
Corsican mint delivers an intoxicating fragrance with every step across its tiny, bright green leaves. Growing just 1-2 inches tall, this diminutive ground cover creates a seamless emerald carpet that thrives in partial shade. Its refreshing mint scent intensifies when brushed against or crushed underfoot.
This low-maintenance beauty spreads through runners to form a dense mat that naturally suppresses weeds. Corsican mint requires moderate moisture and performs best in USDA zones 6-9. The delicate leaves release oils used in making crème de menthe, bringing both beauty and function to your landscape.
Irish Moss
Irish moss creates a velvety carpet of emerald green that looks like a perfectly manicured lawn without the hassle. Despite its name, it's actually a flowering plant rather than a moss, growing just 1-2 inches tall while spreading to form a dense, cushiony mat. Its star-shaped white flowers add charming detail in spring.
This versatile ground cover thrives in partial to full shade and prefers consistently moist soil. Irish moss performs beautifully in USDA zones 5-9 and works perfectly between stepping stones, in rock gardens, or as a lawn replacement in shady areas. Unlike traditional grass, it requires no mowing and minimal maintenance.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff creates a lush woodland carpet with its whorled leaves and dainty star-shaped white flowers. This shade-loving perennial grows 8-12 inches tall and spreads through underground rhizomes to form dense patches that naturally suppress weeds. Its delicate spring blooms carry a sweet vanilla scent.
This low-maintenance ground cover thrives in partial to full shade and performs best in USDA zones 4-8. Sweet woodruff prefers moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Its dried leaves have historically been used as a natural air freshener, bringing both beauty and fragrance to shaded garden areas that grass struggles to grow in.
Stonecrop Sedum
Stonecrop sedum offers fleshy, drought-resistant foliage in a rainbow of colors from blue-green to burgundy and gold. This versatile succulent ground cover grows just 3-6 inches tall but spreads readily to form a dense, weed-suppressing mat. Its star-shaped flowers in yellow, pink, or white attract butterflies and beneficial pollinators.
This ultra-tough perennial thrives in full sun and poor soil conditions where grass struggles. Stonecrop performs beautifully in USDA zones 3-9 and requires almost no supplemental water once established. It stores moisture in its thick leaves, making it an exceptional water-saving alternative to traditional lawns.
Mazus
Mazus creates a low-growing carpet of small green leaves topped with delightful purple-blue or white snapdragon-like flowers. Growing just 2-3 inches tall, this ground cover spreads through runners to form a dense mat that crowds out weeds naturally. Its charming blooms appear from late spring through summer, attracting beneficial pollinators.
This versatile performer thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to various soil conditions. Mazus performs best in USDA zones 5-8 and tolerates moderate foot traffic, making it perfect for pathways or between stepping stones. Unlike water-hungry grass, mazus requires minimal irrigation once established.
Dwarf Mondo Grass
Dwarf mondo grass creates an elegant, grass-like texture without the maintenance of a traditional lawn. This evergreen perennial grows in tidy clumps 2-4 inches tall, eventually forming a dense, weed-resistant carpet. Its thin, arching foliage adds wonderful texture and remains attractive year-round.
This shade-tolerant ground cover thrives in partial to full shade but adapts to morning sun as well. Dwarf mondo grass performs beautifully in USDA zones 7-11 and requires minimal watering once established. It spreads slowly but creates a lasting, drought-resistant alternative to traditional grass that never needs mowing.
Lamb's Ear
Lamb's ear offers velvety, silver-gray foliage that adds beautiful texture and color contrast to any landscape. This drought-tolerant perennial grows 6-8 inches tall with a soft, touchable texture that gives it its endearing name. Its fuzzy leaves naturally repel deer and rabbits while tall purple flower spikes attract pollinators.
This sun-loving ground cover thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs best in USDA zones 4-8. Lamb's ear adapts well to poor soil conditions and requires minimal watering once established. The thick, woolly leaves help conserve moisture, making it an excellent water-saving alternative to traditional grass in dry, sunny areas.
Creeping Phlox
Creeping phlox blankets the ground with a stunning display of pink, purple, blue, or white flowers that create a vibrant spring carpet. This low-growing perennial reaches just 3-6 inches tall but spreads quickly to form a dense, weed-suppressing mat. Its needle-like evergreen foliage provides year-round interest even after the blooms fade.
This versatile ground cover thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs beautifully in USDA zones 3-9. Creeping phlox adapts well to rocky or sloping sites where grass struggles, preventing erosion with its extensive root system. Once established, it requires minimal watering, saving significant resources compared to traditional lawns.
Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Ajuga creates a striking ground cover with its glossy, colorful foliage in deep purple, bronze, or variegated patterns. This fast-spreading perennial grows just 4-6 inches tall but quickly forms a dense carpet that effectively suppresses weeds. Its spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers rise above the foliage in spring, attracting beneficial pollinators.
This versatile performer thrives in partial to full shade but tolerates some sun in cooler climates. Ajuga performs beautifully in USDA zones 3-9 and adapts to various soil conditions. Once established, it requires minimal watering and maintenance, making it an excellent alternative to grass in shaded areas where lawns typically struggle.
Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)
Vinca minor offers glossy evergreen foliage and charming periwinkle-blue flowers that brighten shaded areas. This resilient ground cover grows 4-6 inches tall and spreads through runners to form a dense, weed-suppressing mat. Its delicate five-petaled blooms appear in spring and often continue sporadically through fall.
This shade-loving perennial thrives in partial to full shade and performs best in USDA zones 4-9. Vinca minor's extensive root system helps prevent erosion on slopes where grass struggles to grow. Once established, it requires minimal watering and maintenance, creating a lush, evergreen carpet that stays attractive year-round.
Roman Chamomile
Roman chamomile creates a fragrant, apple-scented carpet that can be walked on and even mowed like a traditional lawn. This aromatic ground cover grows 3-6 inches tall if left unmowed and forms a dense mat that naturally suppresses weeds. Its daisy-like white flowers with yellow centers add charming detail throughout summer.
This versatile performer thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs best in USDA zones 4-9. Roman chamomile adapts well to poor soil conditions and requires minimal watering once established. Unlike water-intensive grass, it maintains its lush appearance even during moderate drought, saving significant resources.
Sagina Subulata (Irish Moss)
Sagina subulata creates a lush, moss-like carpet of bright green that resembles a perfectly manicured lawn. This diminutive ground cover grows just 1-2 inches tall and forms a dense, cushiony mat. Tiny white star-shaped flowers appear in late spring, adding delicate detail to its emerald backdrop.
This versatile performer thrives in partial shade to full sun in cooler climates and performs best in USDA zones 4-8. Sagina prefers consistently moist soil but requires far less water than traditional grass once established. It works beautifully between stepping stones, in rock gardens, or as a no-mow lawn alternative in small areas.
Blue Star Creeper
Blue star creeper forms a delicate carpet of tiny green leaves studded with pale blue star-shaped flowers. This low-growing ground cover reaches just 1-2 inches tall but spreads readily to create a dense mat that handles light foot traffic. Its delicate blooms appear throughout spring and summer, attracting beneficial pollinators.
This versatile performer thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs best in USDA zones 5-9. Blue star creeper adapts well to various soil conditions and requires minimal watering once established. It creates an excellent lawn alternative that never needs mowing and uses significantly less water than traditional grass.
Dragon's Blood Sedum
Dragon's Blood sedum delivers dramatic color with its burgundy-red foliage that intensifies in cool weather. This drought-tolerant succulent grows 4-6 inches tall and spreads quickly to form a dense, weed-suppressing mat. Clusters of star-shaped pink flowers appear in summer, attracting butterflies and beneficial pollinators.
This tough-as-nails perennial thrives in full sun and performs beautifully in USDA zones 3-9. Dragon's Blood sedum tolerates poor soil, drought, and heat that would kill traditional grass. It stores water in its fleshy leaves, requiring almost no supplemental irrigation once established and saving tremendous amounts of water compared to conventional lawns.
Golden Creeping Jenny
Golden creeping Jenny illuminates the landscape with bright chartreuse foliage that adds a splash of sunshine to any garden area. This fast-spreading ground cover grows 2-4 inches tall and quickly fills bare spots with its trailing stems. Small, cup-shaped yellow flowers appear in summer, adding further interest to its golden display.
This adaptable perennial thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs best in USDA zones 4-9. Golden creeping Jenny tolerates wet conditions that would rot grass roots, making it perfect for rain gardens or areas with poor drainage. Once established, it requires minimal care and significantly less water than traditional lawn grass.
Miniature Stonecrop
Miniature stonecrop creates living mosaic patterns with its tiny, colorful succulent leaves in shades of green, red, yellow, and blue. This drought-tolerant ground cover grows just 1-3 inches tall but spreads to form dense mats that effectively suppress weeds. Star-shaped flowers in white, yellow, or pink appear in summer, attracting beneficial insects.
This resilient perennial thrives in full sun and performs beautifully in USDA zones 3-9. Miniature stonecrop adapts well to rocky, poor soil where grass struggles to grow. It stores water in its fleshy leaves, requiring almost no supplemental irrigation once established and saving tremendous amounts of water compared to traditional lawns.
Creeping Speedwell
Creeping speedwell creates a stunning carpet of tiny blue flowers that bloom profusely in spring and continue sporadically through fall. This low-growing perennial reaches just 1-2 inches tall but spreads quickly to form a dense mat that naturally suppresses weeds. Its small, rounded leaves remain attractive even when not in bloom.
This versatile ground cover thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs best in USDA zones 4-9. Creeping speedwell adapts well to various soil conditions and requires minimal watering once established. It tolerates light foot traffic, making it perfect for pathways or between stepping stones as a beautiful, low-water alternative to grass.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum creates a fragrant carpet of tiny white, purple, or pink flowers that attract beneficial pollinators to your garden. This low-growing annual reaches just 3-6 inches tall but spreads quickly to form a dense, blooming mat. Its honey-sweet fragrance intensifies in the evening, perfuming your entire garden.
In mild climates (USDA zones 9-11), sweet alyssum acts as a perennial ground cover that blooms nearly year-round. In colder regions, it self-seeds readily to return year after year. Unlike water-hungry grass, sweet alyssum requires minimal irrigation once established and provides significantly more ecological benefits through its nectar-rich blooms.
Alpine Strawberry
Alpine strawberry offers the unique combination of ornamental ground cover and edible fruit production. This low-growing perennial reaches 6-8 inches tall and spreads through runners to form an attractive mat of trifoliate leaves. Its white flowers give way to small, intensely flavored berries that can be harvested throughout the growing season.
This versatile ground cover thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs best in USDA zones 5-9. Alpine strawberry requires moderate moisture but far less water than traditional grass once established. It creates a productive, beautiful alternative to lawn areas that rewards you with sweet berries while saving water resources.
Rupturewort
Rupturewort creates a dense mat of tiny green leaves that resembles a perfectly manicured lawn without the maintenance. This drought-tolerant ground cover grows just 1-2 inches tall but spreads quickly to form a weed-suppressing carpet. Its insignificant flowers give way to interesting seed heads that add subtle texture.
This tough-as-nails perennial thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs beautifully in USDA zones 5-9. Rupturewort tolerates poor soil, drought, and even light foot traffic. Once established, it requires almost no supplemental watering, saving tremendous amounts of water compared to conventional grass lawns.
Snow-in-Summer
Snow-in-summer blankets the landscape with a dazzling display of pure white flowers that create the illusion of summer snowfall. This drought-tolerant ground cover grows 6-12 inches tall with silvery-gray foliage that provides year-round interest. Its star-shaped blooms appear in late spring to early summer, covering the entire plant.
This sun-loving perennial thrives in full sun and performs best in USDA zones 3-7. Snow-in-summer adapts well to poor, sandy soil where grass struggles to grow. Its woolly leaves help conserve moisture, requiring minimal watering once established and saving significant resources compared to water-intensive lawns.
Red Fescue
Red fescue creates a soft, billowing meadow effect with its fine-textured blue-green blades that sway gently in the breeze. This ornamental grass grows 8-12 inches tall if left unmowed but can be trimmed occasionally for a more manicured look. Unlike traditional lawn grasses, it grows in clumps rather than spreading aggressively.
This shade-tolerant ground cover thrives in partial shade to full sun and performs beautifully in USDA zones 4-10. Red fescue requires up to 80% less water than conventional lawns once established. Its deep root system improves soil health while requiring minimal maintenance and significantly fewer resources than traditional grass varieties.
Brass Buttons
Brass buttons creates a unique ground cover with its tiny, fern-like foliage in shades of bronze, green, or purple. This low-growing perennial reaches just 1-2 inches tall but spreads readily to form a dense, weed-suppressing mat. Small yellow button-like flowers appear in spring, resembling tiny brass buttons that give the plant its name.
This versatile performer thrives in full sun to partial shade and performs best in USDA zones 5-10. Brass buttons tolerates light foot traffic, making it perfect for pathways or between stepping stones. Once established, it requires minimal watering and maintenance, offering a distinctive alternative to resource-intensive grass lawns.
Transforming Your Landscape with Water-Wise Ground Covers
Ground covers offer beautiful, practical alternatives to traditional lawns that can drastically reduce your water consumption while creating stunning visual impact. These versatile plants adapt to conditions where grass struggles, from deep shade to poor soil and steep slopes. They fight weeds naturally, prevent erosion, and many attract beneficial pollinators.
Making the switch doesn't need to happen all at once. Start with a small section of your yard where grass struggles or requires excessive maintenance. Choose ground covers suited to your specific conditions and watch as they transform your landscape into a more sustainable, beautiful space that connects you with nature without the constant demands of traditional lawn care.