16 Gorgeous Lawn Replacements to Choose Instead of Grass

As more and more people realize just how useless grassy lawns are, they’re hunting around for potential lawn replacements. There are many different options available, and each one is suited to different lifestyles, uses, and aesthetics.

Below are 16 lawn replacements to consider, from low-effort groundcover to edible and flowering options.

1. Woolly Thyme

I’m putting this first on the list because it’s my favorite groundcover of all time, as it creates squishy, dense, grey-green, mats wherever you plant it. As far as lawn replacements go, you can’t really go wrong with woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus).

It’s an incredibly hardy perennial that practically thrives on neglect and can be grown in almost any soil in USDA Growing Zones 4-9, provided the soil is well-draining. Although it likes full sun, it’ll do well in partial shade and even dappled shade in Zones 8+.

I grow woolly thyme between my raised beds and have replaced almost all of my former lawn space with it. It’s as wonderful to walk or recline upon as it is to admire, and as long as you don’t drive over it repeatedly, it can withstand quite a bit of foot traffic.

Additionally, its tiny purple flowers attract beneficial pollinators during the summer months.

2. Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme species thrive in poor soils and will create dense mats like their cousin above. Unlike woolly thyme, however, creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is taller, much more fragrant, and produces abundant flowers.

If you’re looking for lawn replacements that can help repel mosquitoes while also smelling incredible and feeding local pollinator species, add this one to the top of your list.

My personal favorite thyme for lawn replacements is Elfin Thyme (T. praecox). It has a smaller growth habit than some of the other cultivars, and is as fragrant as it is beautiful to look at. Just be careful about running barefoot through it, as you may step on a bee.

3. Clover

If you love rich green hues and textures landscapes, then clover (Trifolium spp.) may be one of the best potential lawn replacements for you. This perennial species spreads prolifically and will fill just about any space with cheerful leaves and little blooms.

Choose red clover if you’d like to amend your soil while simultaneously feeding local pollinators. In contrast, if you’d like to grow clover as a food source for herbivore animal companions, choose white clover instead as it has a lower sugar content.

Learn how to plant a clover lawn in our guide.

4. Violets

If you’re looking for lawn replacements that can grow in both direct sunlight and dappled shade, consider members of the violet family (Viola spp).

These perennial beauties come in a variety of purple, blue, white, and variegated shades, and will quickly spread to fill up lawn space with their luscious leaves and beautiful blooms.

As an added bonus, violet’s aerial parts (the bits that grow above soil level) are all edible. You can eat the young greens raw in salads or sauteed like spinach, use the blossoms in baked goods, or transform them into violet syrup or jelly.

5. Purslane

Is your soil quite sandy, and do you live in a hot climate? If so, consider purslane (Portulaca oleracea) as one of your potential lawn replacements. It’s a perennial creeping succulent that can quickly spread to fill out your land with lush greenery.

Purslane thrives in hot, dry climates, and rarely grows above one inch in height. It’s also edible, with a crunchy, lemon flavor, and is particularly delicious in salads like tabbouleh.

For more tasty lawn alternatives, check out our article on 14 edible lawn replacements to get some inspiration about multi-purpose, edible landscaping.

6. Pachysandra

The various Pachysandra species are low-growing herbaceous perennials that create a lush, dense ground cover. They’re members of the boxwood family, and they come in various shades of green and silver.

These plants are ideal for filling up large lawns and along driveways, and since they’re deer- and rabbit-resistant, they’re unlikely to be devoured by local herbivores.

Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens) and green carpet (Pachysandra terminalis) are two gorgeous cultivars you may wish to consider. Both have lovely white flowers among the green foliage, but the former species’ blossoms are more fragrant.

7. Creeping Jenny

Also known as twopenny grass and moneywort, Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is one of the more popular lawn replacements. It has bright, almost lime-green foliage in the shape of small round discs, and it’ll spread quickly to fill up even the largest lawns.

This plant is ideal if you live in a damper climate between Zones 4 and 9, as it thrives in wetter soil than most other species on this list. That said, it is quite a delicate plant and will fall apart if trodden on too often.

As such, it’s better as a decorative element rather than groundcover for kids and pets to play on.

8. Irish Moss

If you’re in a damp, cool climate, you can use Irish moss (Sagina subulata) as a potential lawn replacement. It’s not a true moss but a spongy, low-growing member of the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) that thrives in damp, well-draining, sandy, or gravelly soil.

This plant is indigenous to northern and eastern Europe, and thrives best in Growing Zones 4 through 7. You can still try to grow it if you’re in Zones 8-10, provided that you plant it in partial shade and water it frequently.

9. Green and Gold

Is your property heavily shaded, and your soil consistently damp? Then green and gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) is among the lawn replacements that may work best for your needs.

This plant is amazingly resistant to all manner of pests and pathogens, and the only upkeep it requires is regular watering during hot, dry periods.

This plant is native to the eastern USA, so indigenous insect and animal species recognize it as a vital food source. Pollinators love its little flowers, while birds and small mammals will snatch up its berries in autumn.

Just be aware that it’s a bit of a slow creeper, and can take over three to five years to fill up a lawn space.

10. Lavender

If your priority in lawn replacements involve color and fragrance, then lavender (Lavadula spp) might be a great option for you. Not only is it exquisitely beautiful to look at, its gorgeous scent can offer soothing aromatherapy throughout the growing season.

Additionally, your local pollinator species will completely adore it, and you can dry the mature flowers for sachets, potpourri, or personal care products.

Some of the shorter cultivars include ‘Thumbelina Leigh’ and ‘Little Lady,’ which grow to less than ten inches in height. This is a great lawn alternative for areas that have slightly drier soil and at least six hours of full sunlight daily.

If you like to use lavender in your personal care products, consider reading our article on How to Make Herbal Hydrosols. Transform your flowery lawn into a refreshing toner, hair rinse, body lotion, or facial moisturizer!

11. Roman Chamomile

A chamomile lawn is truly a beautiful sight to behold. The cheerful, bright yellow and white flowers can carpet the entire space, filling the area with their apple-light scent. This low-maintenance lawn alternative is great for herbal tea lovers and will be particularly appreciated by your local pollinator species.

We’re choosing Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) instead of the German species here because of its shorter growth habit. This cultivar only grows about ten inches in height, whereas German chamomile can reach up to 24 inches.

12. Creeping Speedwell

Creeping speedwell (Veronica repens, V. filiformis) is a drought-tolerant lawn alternative that’s suited to just about any growing condition. It can grow in sandy, loamy, or clay-rich soil, and thrives just as well in full sun as it does in partial shade.

It does best in Zones 4-8. If you’re in a more arid climate, you’ll need to water it more often than those in areas that get a lot of natural rainfall. Depending on the cultivar you’ve planted, you’ll get either white or blue flowers during the summer months, and they’ll attract plenty of butterflies to your property.

13. Creeping Mazus

A lot of lawn replacements have the word “creeping” in their name, and Mazus reptans one is no exception. If you’re in Zones 5-8, and the soil on your property is nutrient-rich and loamy, consider this as one of your potential lawn alternatives.

Mazus creates a dense carpet of low-growing leaves that rarely grows more than a couple of inches in height. You’ll get abundant blooms if you plant it in full sun, whereas in dappled or full shade, you’ll end up with denser foliage instead. This is one of the fastest-growing species on our list, and can quickly fill up an entire lawn within a single growing season.

14. Dwarf Carpet of Stars

Although it’s easier to find lawn replacements for temperate climates, this is another species that thrives in hotter, drier locales. Ruschia lineolata “Nana” is indigenous to southern Africa, and thrives in dry heat with full sun.

If you’re in Zones 8+, and you’re looking for a drought-tolerant lawn alternative that still offers lush green hues, definitely add this one to the list of potential species.

This dwarf perennial succulent only grows an inch and a half high, and offers a beautifully structural growth form with bright pink flowers.

This species needs a fair bit of water in order to establish its root system, and you may need to amend depleted soils with some nitrogen-rich matter before planting it. Once established, however, it thrives on neglect and only needs to be watered occasionally.

15. Carpet Moss

If you’re in a perpetually damp climate, with a shaded lawn and naturally acidic soil, then your best bet is a moss lawn (Hypnum spp.). This soft, spongy Bryophyte is ideally suited to these conditions, and will offer you a gloriously green space to roll around on.

It’s also pet- and child-friendly, and will keep spreading happily as long as it gets sufficient water.

Test your soil ahead of time to ensure that it’s acidic enough (aim for a pH of 5.0 to 7.0), and amend as needed.

16. Wildflower Meadow

As far as lawn replacements go, there are few options as beautiful (or as healthy) as transforming what had been a useless, grassy area into a vibrant wildflower meadow.

If you’re interested in going this route, choose native species that are indigenous to your area. These will provide food and shelter to countless local pollinators.

Aim for a wide variety of hues and heights, and a mixture of perennials and annuals. Furthermore, try to sow species that will bloom at different times during the growing season. This way, you’ll be able to gaze out over a sea of flowers from spring right through until late autumn.