Best Easy And Low Maintenance Lawn Alternatives

Walking on the earth has numerous health and well-being benefits. Traditional turf lawns come with costs like fuel for mowers, fertilizers, pesticides, and watering. But it's not just money. Standard grass lawns are demanding on the environment. Frequent mowing and maintenance cause harmful pollutants (get this: 17 million gallons of gasoline are spilled annually while refueling lawn mowers). Most lawns need 1.5 inches of water per week to survive.

The U.S. water shortage situation has led many homeowners to choose low-maintenance lawns. Red clover, controlled meadows, ornamental grasses, and flower beds all share sustainability. Even a tiny space will benefit from removing the grass and growing a fresh ground cover.

Here are our favorite low-maintenance lawn alternatives.

Best Low maintenace Lawn Alternatives

1. ORNAMENTAL GRASSES

Ornamental grasses are drought-resistant and extremely low-maintenance. They form characteristic shapes such as tufts and sprays or dazzling sweeps. Most ornamentals are clump grasses, which means their roots do not produce rhizomes, which are horizontal shoots that sprout new plants. Walking on them is dangerous; they are not at all like typical turf grass.

2. MOSS

Moss is one of the most low-maintenance lawn alternatives available. If you choose a shaded spot, you won't have to mow or water your moss bed. Although moss is not as resilient as regular turf, it can survive light foot traffic. Moss beds require little to no watering, so you'll save water and money on your monthly utility costs.

3. CREEPING CHARLIE

Creeping Charlie is an excellent choice for thick, low-maintenance ground cover in partially shaded locations. There will be no mowing, fertilizing, or watering. Plentiful spherical leaves and little blossoms create a thick, cushiony ground cover ideal for strolls or afternoon naps outside. It's at least as tough as typical turf, so anyone with dogs or children won't have to worry about heavy foot traffic.

4. SWEET WOODRUFF

Sweet Woodruff is supposed to taste similar to vanilla and has a nice fresh smell. Woodruff was traditionally used as an air freshener. It's inherently weed-resistant, with a dense canopy of leaves and blooms that prevents new weeds from sprouting. Sweet Woodruff does not do well in direct sunshine, so seek a dark, cool location.

5. RED CREEPING THYME

Any lawn can be transformed into a magnificent spectacle with red creeping thyme. Thyme provides a deep mat that can endure light foot traffic, making it an excellent choice for almost any lawn project. Thyme is a popular low-maintenance lawn substitute due to its low maintenance requirements and beautiful appearance.

6. CLOVER

Clover is a natural soil conditioner that is beneficial to poor soil, making it an excellent choice for yards with poor soil quality. Clover requires little to no watering and can be mowed as needed. It is perfect for huge stretches of lawn and costs about $4 to cover nearly 4,000 square feet.

7. FLOWER & SHRUB BEDS

Flower and shrub beds are an excellent method to add visual appeal to your yard while simultaneously lowering the area of your standard turf lawn. To enhance the low-maintenance factor, choose native perennials that require less attention and fertilizer. Succulents are drought-tolerant plants that store water in their leaves, stems, and roots. Succulent plant roots can rot if your soil is not properly drained.

8. CHAMOMILE

Chamomile is a simple solution for locations where regular turf is not an option. Chamomile will grow in full or partial light, however it will most likely only provide partial coverage if planted in a dark location. Some types are poisonous to animals, so if you have dogs, make sure to buy safe ones.

9. DUTCH CLOVER

Dutch clover is one of the most durable lawn alternatives on our list, withstanding moderate foot traffic with ease. Because of its thick roots, this plant is extremely resistant to water shortages, so you won't have to water it. While Dutch Clover is excellent at repelling insects, it has a reputation for attracting deer.