Swapping out a thirsty lawn for easygoing perennials was one of the best garden decisions I’ve made. These plants don’t just save time and water—they look great year-round without the extra fuss.
I used to spend weekends mowing and fertilizing, but now I get to relax and enjoy the view. If you’re dreaming of a low-maintenance yard that still feels lush and alive, this list is for you.
Let’s check out some hardy favorites that do all the work without asking much in return.
1. Creeping Thyme
Walk across this aromatic ground cover and release a delightful herbal scent with every step. Growing just 2-4 inches tall, creeping thyme forms a dense mat of tiny leaves topped with purple, pink, or white flowers that bees absolutely adore.
This tough plant tolerates foot traffic and thrives in poor soil where grass struggles. Once established, it requires virtually no maintenance and stays green even during moderate drought. Plant between stepping stones or across former lawn areas for a fragrant carpet.
2. Clover
Remember when clover was considered part of a healthy lawn, not a weed? This nitrogen-fixing wonder improves soil naturally without chemical fertilizers. White clover stays short (4-8 inches) and produces charming white flowers that pollinators can’t resist.
Unlike thirsty grass, clover remains green during dry spells and feels soft underfoot. The deep roots prevent erosion while outcompeting most weeds. For maximum lawn replacement success, look for microclover varieties specifically bred for this purpose.
3. Sedum
Hardy succulents that laugh at drought, sedums are the definition of carefree gardening. Low-growing varieties like ‘Dragon’s Blood’ and ‘Angelina’ spread to form colorful carpets that change with the seasons – often starting green, then turning rich reds, oranges or golds.
Their shallow root systems make sedums perfect for poor, rocky soils where grass fails. The thick, fleshy leaves store water, eliminating the need for irrigation once established. Bonus: in late summer, their star-shaped flowers attract butterflies by the dozens.
4. Corsican Mint
Imagine the smallest mint you’ve ever seen, forming a lush emerald carpet just half an inch tall. Corsican mint creates an enchanting ground cover with tiny round leaves that release an intense peppermint fragrance when brushed against or walked upon.
Unlike aggressive common mints, this well-behaved relative stays where you plant it. The delicate appearance belies its toughness in mild climates. Perfect for filling spaces between stepping stones or replacing small sections of lawn in partially shaded areas where you crave something special.
5. Roman Chamomile
The secret to those dreamy English cottage gardens often lies in chamomile lawns. This apple-scented herb grows 3-6 inches tall, creating a soft, feathery carpet that can handle light foot traffic and moderate drought.
Tiny daisy-like flowers appear in early summer, dotting the lawn with cheerful white blooms. Unlike grass, Roman chamomile thrives in poor soil and actually performs better without fertilizer. The gentle fragrance is naturally calming – making your yard a true stress-free zone.
6. Ajuga
Also known as bugleweed, this shade-loving ground cover solves the problem of grass that won’t grow under trees. Glossy, often colorful foliage forms a dense mat that effectively smothers weeds while creating visual interest year-round.
Spring brings spikes of brilliant blue flowers that rise above the leaves like miniature exclamation points. Varieties like ‘Chocolate Chip’ offer burgundy foliage, while ‘Burgundy Glow’ features tricolor leaves with pink, white and green variegation. Once established, ajuga requires zero maintenance.
7. Moss
Nature’s velvet carpet brings a sense of ancient woodland magic to shady spots where grass struggles. Unlike most plants, moss doesn’t need soil to thrive – it happily grows on rocks, logs, or compacted ground with just minimal moisture.
The soft, spongy texture invites barefoot exploration while staying naturally short without mowing. Dozens of varieties exist, from bright emerald Irish moss to silvery sheet moss. For quick coverage, you can blend moss in a blender with buttermilk and paint it where you want it to grow.
8. Creeping Jenny
Sunshine in plant form, this fast-spreading ground cover features round, coin-shaped leaves in brilliant chartreuse that brighten any landscape. The trailing stems root as they go, quickly filling bare spots and spilling beautifully over walls or container edges.
Small yellow flowers appear in summer, adding extra cheer. While aggressive in moist areas (use with caution near natural waterways), this quality makes it perfect for outcompeting weeds in lawn replacement projects. The ‘Aurea’ variety glows with golden foliage that lights up shady spots.
9. Ornamental Grasses
Unlike demanding lawn grass, ornamental varieties create dramatic texture and movement while asking almost nothing in return. Shorter options like blue fescue, Japanese forest grass, and sedges stay under 12 inches while providing year-round interest.
Most thrive in poor soil and need cutting back just once annually. The gentle rustling sound adds a meditative quality to your garden. Mix several varieties for a prairie-inspired landscape that changes through the seasons, culminating in gorgeous autumn colors and winter seed heads.
10. Bearberry
Native to northern regions, this tough-as-nails ground cover thrives in sandy, acidic soils where other plants surrender. The leathery, glossy leaves form a dense evergreen carpet that stays attractive year-round, turning bronzy-purple in winter for added interest.
Delicate pink bell-shaped flowers appear in spring, followed by bright red berries that feed wildlife. Also called kinnikinnick, bearberry spreads slowly but surely without becoming invasive. Its exceptional drought tolerance means you can forget about watering once established – perfect for hands-off gardening.
11. Creeping Phlox
Spring brings an astonishing transformation when this humble ground cover erupts into a sea of five-petaled flowers so dense you can barely see the foliage. Available in white, pink, lavender, and blue, creeping phlox creates stunning cascades over walls or across former lawn areas.
The needle-like evergreen foliage forms a weed-suppressing mat just 3-6 inches tall that requires zero maintenance. Native to rocky outcroppings in the eastern US, it thrives in poor soil and laughs at drought once established. Even deer tend to leave it alone!
12. Lamb’s Ear
Soft, silvery leaves beg to be touched, making this drought-tolerant perennial irresistible to children and adults alike. The velvety texture comes from tiny hairs that reflect sunlight and conserve moisture – nature’s perfect adaptation for surviving hot, dry conditions.
Growing 12-18 inches tall, lamb’s ear spreads to form a dense weed-suppressing carpet in sunny spots. Some varieties produce purple flower spikes that attract bees, while others stay purely ornamental. The fuzzy foliage naturally repels deer and rabbits while adding unique texture to your lawn-free landscape.
13. Sweet Woodruff
Dappled shade becomes magical when carpeted with this delicate-looking but surprisingly tough ground cover. Whorls of bright green leaves create a starry pattern, topped with clusters of tiny white flowers in spring that smell like fresh-cut hay.
Medieval gardeners prized sweet woodruff for its vanilla-like fragrance when dried. Modern gardeners love how it gracefully weaves between hostas and ferns, filling bare spots with lush greenery. Once established in moist, humus-rich soil, it forms a maintenance-free carpet that politely stays where you want it.
14. Dwarf Mondo Grass
Not actually a grass but a member of the lily family, this Asian native creates perfect tufts of arching evergreen leaves just 2-4 inches tall. The fine texture resembles a manicured lawn without any mowing required – ever.
Extremely shade tolerant, dwarf mondo solves the problem of bare spots under trees where grass won’t grow. Individual plants slowly spread to form a seamless carpet that crowds out weeds. The black-berried ‘Nana’ variety stays especially compact and tidy, making it perfect for replacing small lawn areas.
15. Mazus
Barely rising an inch above the ground, this diminutive ground cover creates a perfectly flat carpet ideal for areas where you still want the look of a lawn. The small, rounded leaves form a dense mat that handles light foot traffic with ease.
Spring brings a surprising show of purple-blue or white snapdragon-like flowers that hover just above the foliage. Mazus thrives in partial shade to full sun and moderately moist soil. Unlike many ground covers, it spreads quickly enough to outcompete weeds without becoming invasive.
16. Veronica
Sometimes called speedwell, the creeping varieties of veronica form tight mats of tiny leaves just 1-2 inches tall. Their spring flower display transforms your former lawn into a sea of blue, purple, or pink blooms that pollinators flock to enthusiastically.
Tough and adaptable, creeping veronica tolerates some foot traffic and stays evergreen in mild climates. ‘Georgia Blue’ offers particularly vivid flowers and burgundy winter foliage for multi-season interest. This easy-care plant asks only for reasonably well-drained soil and occasional water during extreme drought.
17. Vinca Minor
Glossy evergreen leaves that shine in deep shade make this classic ground cover perfect for problem areas where grass refuses to grow. The trailing stems root as they spread, quickly forming a dense, weed-suppressing carpet under trees and shrubs.
Periwinkle-blue flowers appear in spring, dotting the foliage with cheerful color. Virtually maintenance-free, vinca minor (periwinkle) tolerates poor soil, drought, and neglect with grace. Use with caution near natural areas as it can be vigorous, but this same quality makes it perfect for replacing lawn.
18. Pachysandra
When deep shade makes growing anything seem impossible, pachysandra comes to the rescue with its ability to thrive where other plants fail. The scalloped, glossy leaves form an attractive evergreen carpet 8-12 inches tall that effectively suppresses weeds.
Small spikes of white flowers appear in spring, adding subtle interest to this workhorse plant. Japanese pachysandra spreads steadily via underground runners to fill bare spots under trees. Once established, it requires no maintenance beyond occasional edging to keep it within bounds.
19. Strawberries
Why not replace your lawn with something delicious? Alpine and woodland strawberries create an attractive ground cover with their pretty three-lobed leaves and white flowers, plus they reward you with sweet berries throughout summer.
Unlike their high-maintenance garden cousins, these wild types spread naturally by runners to form a dense mat that suppresses weeds. The berries may be smaller, but their intense flavor surpasses store-bought varieties. For ornamental appeal without fruit, consider ‘Pink Panda’ with its rosy-pink blooms.
20. Barren Strawberry
Don’t let the name fool you – while this plant doesn’t produce edible fruit, it offers plenty of other benefits as a lawn replacement. The glossy, strawberry-like leaves form a tidy evergreen carpet just 3-6 inches tall that spreads steadily without becoming invasive.
Cheerful yellow flowers appear in early spring when the garden needs color most. Waldsteinia (its botanical name) thrives in partial shade but adapts to full sun with adequate moisture. Its tough nature makes it perfect for slopes where mowing would be difficult and dangerous.