8 Plants That Are Not Grass To Use for Low-Maintenance Lawns

Those high-maintenance, weed-and-feed grass lawns are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Homeowners have realized that grass lawns are not good for the environment because they require so much maintenance, which means energy (petroleum) and resources (water), and that maintenance also creates a constant drain on the pocketbook.

Certainly, growing vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees are great choices for making a lawn both productive and beautiful. However, these options aren’t always possible due to HOAs and the work required to keep these types of gardens presentable.

The next alternative is growing lawns with low-maintenance alternatives to grass. These are plants that stay low, cover the soil, and make lovely landscapes. There are actually tons of choices for those interested in doing a more environmentally-friendly lawn.

1. Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea)

Source: Small Seeds/Youtube

Often considered a detestable weed, creeping Charlie is a low-lying member of the mint family that spreads like mad when introduced somewhere. It is sometimes referred to as ground ivy. It self-sows and easily roots for any piece of the plant. This means it will gladly take over somewhere, but it can also push the boundaries of where it is wanted.

Creeping Charlie is also edible and medicinal, so that’s a big plus as well.

2. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Source: Home for the Harvest/Youtube

Able to perform well in shady spaces, sweet woodruff is great for taking the place of grass, particularly under stands of trees. Like many of the grass alternatives, sweet woodruff is quick to spread and very capable of surviving efforts to remove it. It has pretty white flowers. It can grow up to a foot high, so it may require some mowing. It likes shade and water.

Sweet woodruff is edible and has a hint of vanilla about it. It can be used to flavor wines, liquors, and frozen treats.

3. Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox)

Source: Roberta’s Gardens/Youtube

Both low-growing and extremely aromatic, creeping thyme is another member of the mint family, and it has the characteristic aggressive spreading tendency of its cousins. Creeping thyme, aka mother of thyme, does well in drier climates, which means less watering. It especially likes rocky and sandy soils but can thrive in lots of environments.

Like other thyme, creeping thyme is edible, though it is not used as often as other thymes.

4. Clover (Trifolium repens)

Source: CBC News/Youtube

Commonly considered a weed and the object of eradication, clover has the will to survive and thrive, as well as the ability to take over a space. There are many types of clover, but people usually opt for low-lying varieties like micro clover or Dutch white clover for replacing grass lawns.

Technically, clover is edible, but it isn’t very tasty. That said, it’s great for bees and fixes nitrogen into the soil, which makes the ground more fertile.

5. Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)

Source: Urban Herbs/Youtube

It’s another mint! Corsican mint is low-lying, highly fragrant, and wide-spreading. It has much smaller leaves than other “mints” and it stays much closer to the ground, less than an inch high. It can be evergreen up to Zone 7, and it grows best in partial shade, such as under shrubs and trees. It is a little more temperamental than other mints, unable to handle droughts.

Corsican mint is totally edible and makes great tea.

6. Creeping Sedum (Sedum sarmentosum)

Source: Maggio and Sons/Youtube

Available in lots of colors, creeping sedum creates a carpet where it is established, and it can withstand drought and some shade. It stays under a foot tall, as well as spreads and roots readily. There are hundreds of varieties of sedum to choose from. Creeping sedum is also called stonecrop.

Some varieties of creeping sedum have edible leaves that can be eaten raw in salads or thrown into stir-fries.

7. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Source: Yard Coach/Youtube

Also known as moneywort, creeping jenny has a bad reputation for taking over lawns and spreading out of control. But, when replacing grass, this aggressiveness can be ideal. It’s evergreen, stays low, and handles most soils. It has mixed reception because it’s quite ornamental in addition to its invasiveness.

Creeping Jenny is a medicinal herb, and teas can be made from its leaves and flowers.

8. Moss

Source: Volunteer Gardener/Youtube

For lawns that stay moist, lack sun, and are not heavily trafficked, moss can be an absolutely beautiful lawn. Moss lawns are soft and spongy, which makes them great for picnicking and relaxing own. Moss doesn’t require any mowing.

Even for those who want to grow edible landscapes, grass alternatives can play a role in the spots that remain “lawn”. Why not use plants that can provide something nutritious, require little care, and beautify all the same?

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