Best Grass Alternatives

1. Creeping Jenny

Botanical Name: Lysimachia nummularia

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

The mat-forming oval golden-green leaves with cheery yellow flowers make for an excellent grass alternative for their mounding shape and quick spreading quality.

Check out these Best Ornamental Grasses For Shade

2. Creeping Thyme

ellen.hanssons

Botanical Name: Thymus serpyllum

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Corsican Thyme is a drought-resistant herb featuring masses of purple flowers. This can be an excellent grass alternative for garden borders and surrounding rocky boulders.

Grasses for Landscaping and Containers here

3. Rupturewort

Botanical Name: Herniaria glabra

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Rupturewort thrives in neglect and covers the ground with a tiny dense sheet of lush leaves, which makes it a great grass alternative. Grow it in well-draining soil.

Here are the Best Tall Grasses for Privacy

4. Moss

Botanical Name: Bryophyta

Sun Exposure: Partial Sun

Moss can be a great grass alternative plant as it has an unruly growth on marshy and swampy lands that looks like a soft green velvety sheet.

5. White Clover

substackcdn

Botanical Name: Trifolium repens

Sun Exposure: Full sun

White Clover is a low-maintenance nitrogen-fixing legume that makes its fertilizer and needs no extra care to thrive on open lawns and yards.

6. Lily Turf

ianbarkergardens

Botanical Name: Liriope muscari

Sun Exposure: Partial shade

Lily turf features grass-like leaves and lilac flowers that are comfortable to walk on and is resistant to foot traffic, making it a good grass alternative plant.

Here are the Best Types of Fountain Grasses for Containers

7. Creeping Charlie

Botanical Name: Glechoma hederacea

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

The round leaves and pretty purple blooms will add a cushiony cover to your lawn, while their low-maintenance nature will help it thrive in every soil type.

8. Sweet Woodruff

mira_ninac

Botanical Name: Galium odoratum

Sun Exposure: Partial shade

The lush star-shaped leaves grow only up to two inches high, besides blooming tiny white flowers that’ll mist the air with a subtle sweet scent.

9. Blue Star Creeper

Botanical Name: Isotoma fluviatilis

Sun Exposure: Full sun

The pretty flowering groundcover grows only 2-3 inches tall, making it one of the best grass alternative plants. It is also resistant to drought and extreme weather conditions.

Here are the Best Tall Grass Like Plants

10. Creeping Raspberry

Botanical Name: Rubus hayata-koidzumii

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

The green five-lobed foliage takes a burgundy hue in fall through winter, while the pretty white flowers add to the show. It is low-maintenance and pest-resistant.

11. Creeping Wire Vine

Botanical Name: Muehlenbeckia axillaris

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Once established, creeping wire vine grows well even in infertile, rocky, and dry soil. The low-maintenance, and low-lying properties make it a great grass alternative plant.

12. Miniature Speedwell

Botanical Name: Veronica

Sun Exposure: Full sun

This dense mat-forming perennial goes well as lawn filler for its low-lying, weed-suppressing, and medium-drought tolerant qualities.

Here are the best ornamental grasses you can grow in containers 

13. Blue Fescue

1791-SH-s032.tif

Botanical Name: Festuca glauca

Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade

This clumping grass features narrow, blue-green leaves that add texture and color to gardens. It is a slow-growing plant that requires little maintenance.

14. Deadnettle

plantsam

Botanical Name: Lamium purpurium

Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade

This low-maintenance plant features variegated leaves and tiny, tubular flowers. It grows quickly and can tolerate a variety of growing conditions.

15. Roman Chamomile

Botanical Name: Chamaemelum nobile

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

With its delicate, daisy-like flowers and fragrant leaves, Roman Chamomile adds beauty and aroma to gardens, which makes it an excellent grass alternative.

Learn How to Grow and Care for Bermuda Grass here

16. Wild Ginger

Botanical Name: Asarum canadense

Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade

This low-growing plant has heart-shaped leaves and produces small, reddish-brown flowers that are hidden beneath the foliage. It grows slowly and requires moist soil.

17. Dwarf Plumbago

garden.org

Botanical Name: Ceratostigma plumbaginoides

Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade

The Dwarf Plumbago is a compact plant that features clusters of blue flowers that bloom throughout the summer. It is a low-maintenance plant that grows slowly.

18. Prairie Dropseed

Botanical Name: Sporobolus heterolepis

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

With its fine, green foliage and airy seed heads, Prairie Dropseed adds texture and movement to gardens, which makes it an amazing grass alternative plant.

Check How to Grow Rye Grass here

19. Golden Star

Botanical Name: Chrysogonum virginianum

Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade

The Golden Star features star-shaped yellow flowers and dark green foliage that forms a compact mound.

20. Blue-Eyed Grass

Botanical Name: Sisyrinchium bellum ‘North Coast’

Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade

This grass-like plant produces small, blue flowers with yellow centers that resemble eyes. It is a low-maintenance plant that grows quickly and is ideal for use in rock gardens.

21. Barren Strawberry

Botanical Name: Waldsteinia ternata

Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade

Another of the best grass alternative, the barren strawberry plant features glossy, dark green leaves and produces white or pink flowers that resemble strawberries.

Check out the best grass-like plants here

22. Woodland Phlox

Botanical Name: Phlox divaricata

Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade

With its fragrant, lavender-blue flowers and spreading habit, Woodland Phlox is perfect for adding a touch of beauty and fragrance to gardens.

23. Foamflower

Botanical Name: Tiarella

Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade

This plant features delicate, frothy flowers that bloom in shades of white, pink, or purple. What makes it an attractive grass alternative is its ease of maintenence.

Check How to Grow Lemongrass from Seed here

24. Bugleweed

Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans

Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade

Bugleweed produces spikes of blue or purple flowers and features glossy, dark green leaves, which makes it stand out in any yard.

25. Canadian Columbine

midwestgroundcovers

Botanical Name: Aquilegia canadensis

Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full Sun

With its nodding, bell-shaped flowers, and delicate foliage, the Canadian Columbine is perfect for adding grace and beauty to your lawn.

Learn What to Do With Grass Clippings here

26. Allegheny Spurge

Botanical Name: Pachysandra procumbens

Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade

This low-growing plant has glossy, evergreen leaves and produces small, white flowers in the spring.

27. Bearberry

Botanical Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade

This plant features small, leathery leaves that turn red in the fall and produces bright red berries. It is a hardy plant that requires little maintenance.

Source: Balconygardenweb.com