12 Eco-Friendly Grass Alternatives

Reducing, reusing, and recycling are not the only ways to go green. Replacing your turfgrass with an eco-friendly alternative is another way for you to minimize your carbon footprint.

From ground covers and native plants to artificial turfgrass and hardscapes, eco-friendly grass alternatives can boost your home’s curb appeal with less effort.

Why Consider Grass Alternatives

Homeowners have various reasons for choosing lawn alternatives. According to Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University, “Some homeowners are looking to reduce the amount of time, chemicals, and money they spend on their lawns.”

He adds that for homeowners with areas in their landscape where grass doesn’t grow well, these alternatives will function better and look more appealing.

Eco-friendly landscapes:

• Use less water: Most grass alternatives are drought-tolerant and require less irrigation than turfgrass.
• Use little to no fertilizers or pesticides: Grass alternatives typically thrive without chemicals, resulting in fewer pollutants entering local waterways and a safer environment for kids and pets.
• Require little to no mowing: Save your time and effort, as many of the alternatives to grass either grow slowly or stay low to the ground. If you don’t need to mow, you can say goodbye to the noise and emissions from your gas or electric lawn mower.
• Support beneficial insects and wildlife: Native plants, clover, and wildflowers attract pollinators and provide habitat for birds and insects. When you replace your turf with these alternatives, your pollinator lawn can help restore biodiversity in your backyard.

Note: If you still want to have a traditional lawn or incorporate these alternatives, you can always hire a local landscaping expert to help you.

Eco-Friendly Grass Alternatives You Can Use

When choosing a lawn replacement, Steil says, “It depends on the goals of the gardener and how homeowners use their landscape. Each has positives and negatives.”

He further explains, “If supporting local ecosystems is a high priority, native planting would be our choice. If you need a lawn that is short or can tolerate light foot traffic, then certain species of ground cover are going to be the best option.”

In each of the alternatives listed below, you’ll find common examples, including their best uses, benefits, and potential drawbacks.

1. Ground Covers

A beautiful and practical alternative to traditional lawns, ground covers are low-growing plants that form a living carpet. They’re generally low-maintenance, requiring minimal watering and mowing. Most ground covers are drought-tolerant, and some varieties can even handle light foot traffic.

In the Midwest, ground covers are one of the best options, according to Steil. “They provide green plant material and root systems to help hold soil, prevent erosion, and allow for better water infiltration and retention.”

Examples: Creeping thyme, moss (for moss lawns), and ajuga

Best Uses: These no-mow lawn alternatives are ideal for shaded spots, small yards, or for filling gaps between pavers.

Pros of Ground Covers	Cons of Ground Covers
✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Suppresses weeds ✓ Helps prevent erosion ✓ Adds aesthetic appeal	✗ Not suitable for heavily active areas ✗ Some ground covers, like Bishop’s weed, spread aggressively

2. Clover

A resilient and self-sustaining plant, clover creates a soft, green lawn that stays lush through summer heat. Since it can fix nitrogen, clover helps improve soil health and reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizer.

Examples: White clover and microclover

Best Uses: Clover is great for sunny lawns or mixed with traditional turf.

Pros of Clover	Cons of Clover
✓ Stays green even during drought ✓ Attracts beneficial pollinators ✓ Aesthetically pleasing ✓ Low-maintenance	✗ Needs reseeding every few years ✗ Can’t handle heavy foot traffic ✗ May stain clothes and shoes ✗ Can attract bees

3. Native Plants

As native plants are already adapted to your region’s climate and soil, using them in your landscape can support local ecosystems while reducing maintenance.

Examples: Sedges, buffalograss, and blue grama

Best uses: Native plants are a great option if you’re going for naturalistic designs, if you have pollinator gardens, or for areas with minimal intervention.

Pros of Native Plants	Cons of Native Plants
✓ Boosts local biodiversity ✓ Low maintenance once established	✗ Availability can vary by region ✗ Can look less uniform than grass

4. Ornamental Grasses

Perfect for design accents and drought-prone landscapes, ornamental grasses add texture, height, and movement to your yard.

Examples: Popular options include fountain grass, blue fescue, and switchgrass.

Best uses: Borders, xeriscaping, or natural-style gardens

Pros of Ornamental Grasses	Cons of Ornamental Grasses
✓ Adds visual interest year-round ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Drought-tolerant	✗ Not ideal for walking or play ✗ Some require seasonal trimming

5. Wildflower Meadows

If you have a large, sunny yard, you can try meadowscaping instead of converting it to an eco lawn. A wildflower meadow can help you have a vibrant landscape that supports pollinators.

Examples: Black-eyed Susan, yarrow, and little bluestem are perfect for wildflower gardens.

Best uses: This eco-friendly lawn replacement works well if you want to achieve a natural look in open spaces.

Pros of Wildflower Meadows	Cons of Wildflower Meadows
✓ Supports pollinators and wildlife ✓ Beautiful and colorful blooms	✗ Requires periodic mowing and reseeding ✗ Can look quite messy in the off-season

6. Artificial Turf

Ideal for areas with water restrictions or heavy activities, artificial turf can give you the look of grass without the upkeep. With this grass alternative, homeowners living in areas with a dry climate can have a green lawn year-round.

Examples: For an eco-friendly option, choose plant-based artificial grass that’s made from recyclable materials like soybean oil and sugarcane.

Best uses: Artificial turf works well for play spaces or pet areas.

Pros of Artificial Turf	Cons of Artificial Turf
✓ Consistently green and uniform lawn ✓ No need for watering, mowing, and fertilizing	✗ Higher overall cost, including installation ✗ Can overheat when exposed to direct sunlight for a long time ✗ Still requires some maintenance (like regular cleaning and washing)

7. Low-Mow and No-Mow Grasses

Since they grow slowly, low-mow and no-mow grasses require little to no mowing at all. They provide a natural lawn appearance with far less effort spent on maintenance.

Examples: Fine fescue and buffalograss

Best uses: Low-mow and no-mow grasses are best for open, sunny areas where minimal upkeep is desired.

Pros of Low-Mow and No-Mow Grasses	Cons of Low-Mow and No-Mow Grasses
✓ Reduces mowing and watering ✓ Provides a soft and grassy look	✗ Limited tolerance to foot traffic ✗ May not thrive in all climates, depending on grass type

See Related: No-Mow Grass Alternatives

8. Rain Gardens

Beautiful and functional, rain gardens are landscape features that collect and filter stormwater. They help support native plants while reducing runoff and helping to get rid of standing water.

Examples: Joe Pye weed, swamp milkweed, and sedges are some common choices when building rain gardens.

Best uses: Rain gardens are ideal for low-lying areas with poor drainage.

Pros of Rain Gardens	Cons of Rain Gardens
✓ Manages stormwater naturally ✓ Attracts pollinators and wildlife	✗ Needs proper soil grading ✗ Requires seasonal maintenance

9. Rock Gardens

Perfect for dry climates, rock gardens combine drought-tolerant plants with stone features for a low-maintenance design.

Examples: Plants like sedum, hens-and-chicks, and other succulents work well in rock gardens.

Best uses: Rock gardens are ideal for areas where it can be challenging to grow grass, such as on slopes.

Pros of Rock Gardens	Cons of Rock Gardens
✓ Very low water requirements ✓ Adds structure and year-round interest	✗ Labor-intensive to install ✗ Limited usable space

10. Flower Beds

Flower beds can transform your yard into fragrant, colorful eye candy. With endless design possibilities, you can use flower beds as vibrant focal points in your landscape. But don’t forget to prevent weeds in your flower beds so you won’t have to worry about weeding regularly.

Examples: A bed filled with flowering perennials, annuals, and flowering shrubs

Best uses: Ideal for front yards, borders, or for creating accents

Pros of Flower Beds	Cons of Flower Beds
✓ Visually striking and customizable ✓ Supports pollinators and other beneficial insects	✗ Requires regular care and weeding ✗ Not functional for play or walking

See Related: How to Get Rid of Weeds in Flower Beds

If you need to get rid of weeds in your existing flower beds, you can hire a LawnStarter lawn care pro for help. Our customers spend around $96 for flower bed weeding and give our pros an average rating of 4.5.

11. Mulch/Gravel

Using mulch, such as gravel and river rocks, can give your yard a clean, minimalistic look while helping suppress weeds and reduce watering needs.

Examples: Pea gravel and bark mulch

Best uses: Depending on the type of mulch, it can be placed around trees, in xeriscapes, or along pathways.

Pros of Mulch/Gravel	Cons of Mulch/Gravel
✓ Conserves soil moisture ✓ Virtually maintenance-free	✗ Can shift or get washed away if installed without garden edging ✗ Can create a moist environment that attracts pests and diseases to nearby plants

Hire a LawnStarter landscaping pro for help in mulching your yard. Our customers spend around $286 for mulching services and give our pros an average rating of 4.7.

12. Hardscapes

Hardscaping incorporates stones, wood, or concrete elements to create grass-free yet functional outdoor areas.

Examples: Decks, flagstone, stepping stones, and pavers

Best uses: Hardscapes are perfect for patios, paths, and entertainment zones. They’re also great for reducing lawn size while increasing usability.

Pros of Hardscapes	Cons of Hardscapes
✓ Durable and easy to maintain ✓ Adds value and function to your yard	✗ Can be quite expensive to install ✗ Doesn’t support local wildlife or improve soil

See Related: Lawn and Landscape Items with the Greatest ROI

FAQ About Eco-Friendly Grass Alternatives

Choose the Greener Grass

Juggling daily life activities and growing concerns about the environment may prompt homeowners to replace their lawns with a “greener” option. With these eco-friendly grass alternatives, you can have an eye-catching yet environmentally friendly lawn. If you need help choosing the best lawn alternative for your home, consult a local landscaping pro today.

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