Home - Garden
The 11 Best Eco-Friendly Grass Alternatives For Your Lawn
By K. ANDERSON
Clover
Clover lawns offer many benefits, such as less watering, no need for herbicides or pesticides, adaptability for most climates, and no patches from pet urine.
Clover can also co-exist peacefully with grass and will likely encourage more growth with the attraction of pollinating insects like bees and butterflies.
Native Plants
Landscaping with a host of native plants is the catch-all solution, as plants that grow naturally in your area are likely to thrive with little management on your end.
According to Audubon, reasons to go native include low maintenance, combating climate change, water conservation, supporting local wildlife, and cutting back on harmful pesticides.
The National Wildlife Federation has a database of local plants according to zip code. Seek out local nurseries or find books and online lists outlining local plants in your area.
Creeping Plants
Creeping plants are ground covers that can spice up your lawn with colorful flowers and have many benefits depending on which variety you choose.
Choosing what creeping plant will work in your lawn will take time, research, work, and usually a fair bit of money, but once it's set up, it's likely to thrive better than grass.
Hens & Chicks
Hens and Chicks don't need fertilizer and work best in well-draining sandy or gravelly dirt. You can't walk on the succulents, but they are great in a rock garden.
They love a lot of light and full sun and require very little water when matured. They're great for hot weather but can work for cold weather, depending on the type.
Drought-Resistant
These grasses can be divided into warm-season and cold-season grasses. Warm-season grasses are more tolerant of dry climates, while cold-season needs more water.
Some grasses look great when allowed to grow to full height, but most can be mowed down and still look nice. It's best to find noninvasive grass to support the local environment.