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While lush, green lawns are fine, they do very little for your own environment. In reality, because numerous lawns require pesticides and compounds for maintenance, they’ve quite the negative effect. Natural lawn alternatives, on the other hand, offer more advantages for you and the surroundings. Many lawn options are low-maintenance and obviously attract birds, butterflies, bees, and other insects that are beneficial; also, home owners may spend less of the time mowing and much more of the time admiring their brand new, exceptional outdoor area. Here are 10 natural yard options to freshen up your lawn.
Some of these plants within this listing might be poisonous to pets. For more info concerning the protection of particular crops, consult with the ASPCA’s searchable database.
Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Clover is among the most well-known alternatives in regards to converting a yard. The botanical name cited here is for crimson clover, famous for the exquisite purple blossoms. You are also interested in white clover (Trifolium repens) and microclover (Trifolium repens var. Pirouette). Keep in your mind that clover is known as aggressive or invasive in certain regions, so track its expansion is essential.
Plant Care Tips
- USDA Growing Zones: Varies by species.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
- Soil Needs: Well-drained.
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Also called wild thyme, this creeping perennial is a popular option for a ground cover. It’s not the same type of thyme that commonly used for cooking, but the leaves do have a minty smell to them. Bees love the tiny flowers, and creeping thyme as a lawn alternative does a nice job of spreading on its own from one year to the next.
Plant Care Tips
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
- Soil Needs: Well-drained.
Creeping Mazus (Mazus reptans)
Creeping mazus will only grow to about two inches tall, making it a great replacement for grass. It has tiny purplish flowers that emerge in late spring to early summer and bright green foliage that lasts through fall. Because of the way this plant grows (with creeping stems), it’ll slowly and surely expand year after year.
Plant Care Tips
- USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
- Soil Needs: Well-drained.
Cedar Sedge (Carex eburnea)
All sedges can be good options to consider when replacing grass, and the cedar sedge is definitely a favorite. Each plant grows to about a foot tall and wide, so if you bunch several of these together, you get a lovely grass-like feel without the added maintenance. Since these are hardy even in cold zones and also work in shade, they can really offer a lot of solutions to gardeners.
Plant Care Tips
- USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 8.
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade.
- Soil Needs: Medium moisture.
Lily Turf (Liriope spicata)
This perennial definitely has a grassy look to it. The rich green leaves grow about a foot high, and hidden amongst them are pale white and lavender flowers. Later in the summer and early fall, these flowers turn into little berries. Between the flowers and berries, this makes it great for attracting backyard wildlife.
Plant Care Tips
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 10.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
- Soil Needs: Well-drained.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Gardeners who have a lot of shade love having sweet woodruff around. This popular ground cover grows about a foot high total and will easily spread. (Some gardeners find it a bit aggressive, so plant with caution if you don’t want it in a big area.) It has little white flowers in spring, and the fragrant leaves are sometimes used for potpourris.
Plant Care Tips
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8.
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade.
- Soil Needs: Well-drained.
Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)
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This miniature mint plant is pretty versatile, tolerating most conditions except extremely dry weather. Gardeners love tucking it between rock gardeners because it fills in the space nicely and also offers tiny blooms and nice aromas. It only grows a few inches tall.
Plant Care Tips
- USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9.
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade.
- Soil Needs: Well-emptied.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Growing only a few inches tall, this is another one that will often grow in places where other plants won’t. You have to be a little big careful as some gardeners consider it aggressive, but it’s a great option as you look to replace your grass. Look for ‘Aurea’ for a creeping Jenny option with bright yellow leaves.
Plant Care Tips
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
- Soil Needs: Well-drained.
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
All ornamental grasses make good replacements for traditional grass, and blue fescue is one of the best. It will often tolerate less-than-ideal growing conditions, especially dry areas. It grows up to a foot high and has that favorite blue tinge to the foliage, which is why so many gardeners seek it out. Check out the popular cultivar, ‘Elijah Blue‘, for your own garden.
Plant Care Tips
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8.
- Sun Exposure: Full sun.
- Soil Needs: Well-drained.
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Here’s another one for those who have a lot of shade. Lily of the valley has the cutest white blooms in spring — they are little bell shapes that also smell great. Then the rich, green foliage will last until fall. This is a popular alternative to the traditional hosta, and they tend to spread quickly from one year to the next.
Plant Care Tips
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8.
- Sun Exposure: Part to full shade.
- Soil Needs: Well-drained.
Native Plants
While it’s a specific plant, it is definitely worth your time and effort. By giving your yard back to some of the native plants that used to be from your area, you’re doing so much for the environment. Check out native plant recommendations in your area or try into find a native plant society who you may purchase plants from. This is a wonderful way to support the birds, bees, along with butterflies at your lawn.
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