- 1. Clover<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Wildflowers and native plants<\/a>
- Creeping phlox <\/a><\/li>
- Dwarf cinquefoil <\/a><\/li>
- Wild strawberry <\/a><\/li>
- Milkweed <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 3. Non-native groundcovers<\/a>
- Creeping thyme <\/a><\/li>
- Lamb\u2019s ear <\/a><\/li>
- Creeping mazus<\/a><\/li>
- Creeping Jenny <\/a><\/li>
- Kurapia<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 4. Moss<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Stonecrop<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Xeriscaping<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Clover<\/span><\/h2>
![\"White](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1024px-Trifolium_repens_5154568317.jpg\")
Matt Lavin<\/a> from Bozeman, Montana | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Clovers are some of the more popular lawn alternatives. However, it\u2019s more accurate to say it\u2019s reclaiming its place. Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle, an agriculture and natural resources educator with the University of Illinois Extension<\/a>, says that clovers used to be more common until the rise of broadleaf herbicides, which killed them.<\/p>
This no-mow alternative requires less maintenance than turfgrass:<\/p>
- It only needs one or two mows a year.<\/li>
- Clover makes its own fertilizer. <\/strong>As a legume, it hosts bacteria that can turn nitrogen in the air into nitrogen in the soil. It also fertilizers other plants in the area.<\/li>
- It lives in less than stellar soil conditions. It can survive in compacted and acidic or alkaline soils, depending on the species.<\/li>
- Clover only needs minimal watering.<\/li> <\/ul>
As a bonus, clover flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your lawn, such as honeybees. Clover in general is also non-toxic to cats and dogs.<\/p>
However, it may need overseeding every few years or so. It\u2019s a short-lived perennial in some areas and an annual in others. It also can\u2019t handle foot traffic.<\/p>
There are many types of clover<\/a> to choose from, and they\u2019re all relatively inexpensive to seed. Here are some common types:<\/p>
- White clover<\/li>
- Red clover<\/a><\/li>
- White Dutch clover<\/a><\/li>
- Strawberry clover<\/li>
- Microclover<\/a> (great if you want to mix clovers with turf)<\/li> <\/ul>
Clover growing conditions:<\/strong><\/p>
- USDA hardiness zones: <\/strong>Zones 3 – 10, depending on species<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>Tolerates as low as 5.3 pH to as high as 8.2 pH, depending on the species; generally prefers 6.0 to 7.0 pH<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Can tolerate poor, compacted soils<\/li> <\/ul>
You can learn more about clovers in these articles:<\/p>
- \u201c9 Reasons Why a Clover Lawn is Better Than a Grass Lawn\u201d<\/a><\/li>
- \u201cBenefits of Planting Clover in Your Yard\u201d<\/a><\/li>
- \u201cIs Clover a Weed?\u201d<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
2. Wildflowers and native plants<\/span><\/h2>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/nature-plant-meadow-prairie-flower-bloom-558415-pxhere.com-1.jpg\")
Pxhere<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Wildflowers and native plants can be used as low-maintenance no-mow groundcover. It\u2019s perfect if you\u2019re willing to sacrifice function for beauty.<\/p>
Choosing a native plant<\/a> species (or better yet, multiple species) means less watering, less fertilizer, less pesticide, and no mowing. Native plants have already adapted to the areas where they grow, which is why they\u2019re so low-maintenance.<\/p>
Wildflowers and native plants also provide food for native fauna, so expect visiting pollinators, beneficial insects, and other animals. <\/p>
You can read these articles to find out more about wildflowers and native flowers:<\/p>
- \u201c12 Reasons You Should Grow Native Plants\u201d<\/a><\/li>
- \u201cNative Cultivar vs. Straight Species Native Plants\u201d<\/a><\/li>
- \u201cHow to Design a Native Plant Garden\u201d<\/a><\/li>
- \u201cHow to Grow a Wildflower Meadow\u201d<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
The options available to you will depend on where you live. Let\u2019s go over some common natives.<\/p>
Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"close](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Phlox-subulata-1.jpg\")
\u0425\u043e\u043c\u0435\u043b\u043a\u0430<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Also called moss phlox, creeping phlox<\/a> is found in the central and eastern parts of the U.S. As its name suggests, it spreads and forms a dense mat. In early to mid-spring, it explodes into a carpet of color as it starts blooming pink, lavender, and sometimes white flowers. There are other cultivars with red and blue-purple flowers.<\/p>
Rabbits might eat creeping phlox, but deer will generally stay away. This plant isn\u2019t dangerous to dogs and cats, but they might get a tummy ache if they try to eat it.<\/p>
Creeping phlox growing conditions:<\/strong><\/p>
- USDA hardiness zones: <\/strong>Zones 5 to 9<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>5.5 to 7.0 pH<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Moist but well-drained chalk, sand, loam soils<\/li> <\/ul>
Dwarf cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"close](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Potentilla_canadensis-1.jpg\")
Jomegat<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This wildflower is found in the eastern half of the United States. Like creeping phlox, dwarf cinquefoil<\/a> spreads and quickly forms a large mat about 3 to 4 inches tall that can handle moderate foot traffic. From spring to summer, it blooms small yellow flowers loved by bees and other pollinators.<\/p>
Wildlife also eat dwarf cinquefoil: the seeds by birds, and the leaves by rabbits and groundhogs. Dwarf cinquefoil is also safe for our furry friends.<\/p>
If you want a slightly taller groundcover, try spring cinquefoil<\/a> (Potentilla neumanniana<\/em>). It also has yellow flowers but grows up to 6 inches tall.<\/p>
Dwarf cinquefoil growing conditions:<\/strong><\/p>
- USDA hardiness zones: <\/strong>Zones 4 to 8<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>6.0 to 8.0 pH<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Well-draining soils, but can handle some dryness<\/li> <\/ul>
Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Wild-strawberry-.jpg\")
Matt Lavin<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Also called the Virginia strawberry, wild strawberry<\/a> is found all over the country. It\u2019s also a creeping plant; it spreads through stolons. It grows to about 3 to 7 inches tall. Its small white flowers bloom from April to June, and its leaves stay green throughout the winter months.<\/p>
Unlike garden strawberries, the fruits of the wild strawberry are much smaller. These fruits are edible \u2014 they\u2019re sweet like regular strawberries \u2014 and loved by wildlife. Expect furry visitors like squirrels when wild strawberry fruits start popping up. Your pets also can eat wild strawberries without issue.<\/p>
Wild strawberry growing conditions:<\/strong><\/p>
- USDA hardiness zones: <\/strong>Zones 4 to 8<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>6.0 to 8.0 pH<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Fertile well-draining soils, but can handle some dryness <\/li> <\/ul>
Milkweed (Asclepias <\/em>spp.)<\/em><\/span><\/h3>
![\"close](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/butterfly-milkweed.jpg\")
Joshua Mayer<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you want to attract butterflies<\/a> to your garden, then you can\u2019t go wrong with choosing milkweed as a no-mow grass alternative. Many caterpillars feed on milkweed leaves; the monarch butterfly eats it exclusively. There are many types of milkweed, most of which are native to the U.S. Here are the most common ones:<\/p>
- Butterfly weed<\/a><\/li>
- Swamp milkweed<\/a><\/li>
- Common milkweed<\/li> <\/ul>
Note: Avoid tropical milkweed (<\/strong>Asclepias curassavica<\/em><\/strong>)<\/strong>, a non-native milkweed that\u2019s harmful to monarchs.<\/p>
Milkweed nectar is also a food source for pollinators and beneficial insects. Unfortunately, however, milkweed is mildly toxic to people and pets.<\/p>
Some milkweed species grow only through seeds, while others also spread through rhizomes. So, it will spread through your lawn without much issue.<\/p>
The growing conditions and blooming times for these plants vary with the species. Here are the growing conditions for the butterfly weed: <\/strong><\/p>
- USDA hardiness zones: <\/strong>Zones 3 to 9<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>6.0 to 8.0 pH<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Prefers dry, well-draining soil, but can tolerate many types of soil<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Non-native groundcovers<\/span><\/h2>
There are many other no-mow groundcovers available if you\u2019re not restricting yourself to just planting native flora. They\u2019re still beneficial to the environment, but not as much as native plants are. <\/p>
However, you need to check if what you\u2019re trying to plant isn\u2019t considered invasive (or worse yet, a noxious weed). You can search the National Invasive Species Information Center<\/a> or contact your local extension office to check.<\/p>
Let\u2019s go over some popular non-native groundcover plants. You can also check out our article, “Best Ground Covers as Grass Alternatives,”<\/a> for more ideas.<\/p>
Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"a](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/9341881749_45eb86a8ce_c-1.jpg\")
carmona rodriguez.cc<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you want a now-mow lawn alternative that tingles more than just your sense of sight, then you might be interested in creeping thyme<\/a>. This member of the mint family has a subtle minty, spicy scent that is perfect for a sensory garden<\/a>. As a bonus, the same aroma keeps deer and rabbits away.<\/p>
When creeping thyme blooms (around late spring to early summer), don\u2019t be surprised to find bees hovering around your yard.<\/p>
But how does it fare as a lawn alternative? Creeping thyme can handle foot traffic \u2013 not as well as a lawn does though, of course. It will stay green throughout the year, except in the summer when it blooms pink flowers. It also will spread through your lawn easily through its creeping rhizomes. Lastly, it\u2019ll grow up to 6 inches max.<\/p>
Creeping thyme growing conditions:<\/strong><\/p>
- USDA hardiness zones: <\/strong>Zones 4 to 9<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>6.5 to 7.5 pH<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Dry, well-draining soils<\/li> <\/ul>
Lamb\u2019s ear (Stachys byzantina<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Silver](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1024px-Stachys_byzantina_Silver_Carpet_0zz.jpg\")
David J. Stang<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Like creeping thyme, lamb\u2019s ear<\/a> is a member of the mint family. Its silver and purple-pink leaves are soft and fuzzy to the touch, making it another good addition to a sensory garden. The leaves also smell vaguely apple or chamomile-like when crushed. Additionally, its velvety texture makes it unappealing to deer and rabbits.<\/p>
In the summer, it blooms very muted lavender-pink flowers that attract butterflies. The flowers bloom on spikes that loom above the leaves. Some cultivars have brighter flowers, while the \u2018Cotton Boll\u2019 cultivar has white, cotton ball-like flowers instead.<\/p>
Lamb\u2019s ear growing conditions:<\/strong><\/p>
- USDA hardiness zones: <\/strong>Zones 4 to 9<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil pH: <\/strong>Can tolerate acidic and alkaline soils alike<\/li>
- Soil type: <\/strong>Well-draining soils<\/li> <\/ul>
Creeping mazus (Mazus miquelii<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"flowers](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/800px-Mazus_miquelii3.jpg\")
KENPEI<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure> - Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Swamp milkweed<\/a><\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- \u201cNative Cultivar vs. Straight Species Native Plants\u201d<\/a><\/li>
- \u201cBenefits of Planting Clover in Your Yard\u201d<\/a><\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- White Dutch clover<\/a><\/li>
- Lamb\u2019s ear <\/a><\/li>
- Dwarf cinquefoil <\/a><\/li>
- 2. Wildflowers and native plants<\/a>