The 10 Best Groundcovers for a Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternative

If you ’re stock of the endless mowing , watering , and fertilizing that comes with maintaining a traditional lawn , you ’re not alone . Many nurseryman are turn to groundcovers as a low-pitched - maintenance , eco - well-disposed alternative to grass . ground cover not only want less forethought but also bid a reach of texture , colors , and even flowers that can enhance the beauty of your garden . Plus , they ’re keen for erosion control , weed crushing , and creating a lush , dark-green distance without the hassle of a traditional lawn .

In this clause , we ’ll explore ten of the best groundcover for make a modest - maintenance lawn option . These plant are sturdy , promiscuous to handle for , and perfect for filling in heavy areas with minimal effort . Whether you ’re face for something that thrives in the sun or shade , or you desire a ground cover that can plow foot dealings , there ’s something here for every garden . Let ’s dive in and discover how you could metamorphose your lawn into a beautiful , low - alimony landscape painting !

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping thyme is a delicious and fragrant ground cover that ’s perfect for create a low - maintenance lawn option . aboriginal to Europe and North Africa , this dauntless plant flourish in full Dominicus and well - drained grunge , making it ideal for sunny spots in your garden . Creeping thyme constitute a dense matt of midget , aromatic leave that liberate a pleasant aroma when step on , making it a great choice for tract and areas with light foot traffic .

In addition to its adorable foliage , creeping thyme produces bunch of midget pink , purple , or white flower in the summer , attracting bee and other pollinator to your garden . It ’s drought - broad , deer - resistant , and requires minimal maintenance once established . Simply cut it back after flowering to keep it see slap-up and encourage fresh increment . Whether you ’re looking to cover a large sphere or add a touch of scent to your garden , creeping thyme is an excellent option .

Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Sedum , also experience as stonecrop , is a versatile and live groundcover that ’s thoroughgoing for creating a low-spirited - alimony lawn option . Native to the Northern Hemisphere , sedum thrives in a smorgasbord of atmospheric condition , include pitiful , rocky dirt and full sun . This succulent plant forms dense mats of heavy leave in shades of fleeceable , puritanic , or red , depending on the variety . It ’s incredibly drouth - liberal , making it ideal for areas where water preservation is a priority .

Sedum also get clusters of star - shaped flower in late summertime and former fall , adding a splash of color to your garden . The flowers pull pollinators like bees and butterfly , shit sedum a great choice for brook local wildlife . One of the best thing about sedum is its ability to distribute speedily and cover large domain with minimum guardianship . Whether you ’re front to take in a jolty side , cover a dry , gay spot , or create a colored ground cover , sedum is a reliable and attractive option .

Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)

Irish moss is a charming and low - growing groundcover that make a plushy , gullible carpet in your garden . Despite its name , Irish moss is actually a type of flowering plant , not a true moss . aboriginal to Europe , it fly high in cool , moist precondition and prefers fond nicety to full Dominicus . Irish moss mould a dense mat of tiny , vivid fleeceable leaves that bide evergreen year - round , providing a easygoing , padded texture that ’s perfect for filling in between stepping stones or covering with child areas .

In the bound and other summer , Irish moss produce little , blank , star - shaped flowers that add a delicate touch to your garden . It ’s also an first-class selection for butt on paths and borders , as it stay low to the basis and does n’t command frequent trimming . Irish moss is comparatively easy to care for , require only casual lacrimation during ironical spells and a sluttish app of mulch to keep it looking its good . If you ’re looking for a ground cover that ’s both beautiful and low - maintenance , Irish moss is a fantastic option .

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny is a vibrant and tight - growing ground cover that ’s unadulterated for adding a splash of color to your garden . aboriginal to Europe and Western Asia , this intrepid industrial plant flourish in both full sun and partial shade , make it a versatile choice for a variety of garden precondition . Creeping Jenny forms a thick mat of bright yellow - green leaves that stay vivacious throughout the growing season , provide a dramatic demarcation to other industrial plant in your garden .

One of the standout features of Creeping Jenny is its ability to put up wet conditions , making it idealistic for planting near water features or in areas with miserable drain . It also develop humble , loving cup - shaped yellow flower in the summer , adding a touch of brightness to your garden . sneak Jenny is easy to care for , call for only occasional watering and trimming to keep it in balk . It ’s an fantabulous choice for covering large areas quickly or adding a pop of color to shaded or dull berth in your garden .

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed , also known as ajuga , is a hardy and attractive groundcover that ’s perfect for create a low - upkeep lawn option . Native to Europe , bugleweed thrives in partial shade to full Sunday and prefer moist , well - drain grease . This various plant constitute a dense mat of glossy , dark green or purple leaves that stay evergreen in balmy climates , providing year - daily round interest in your garden .

In the outflow , bugleweed produces spike of blue , regal , or white flower that attract bee and other pollinators . It ’s also deer - repellent and tolerates foot traffic , making it a not bad option for pathways and borders . Bugleweed is easy to care for , need only casual watering and a twinkle cut back after flower to keep it looking tasteful . If you ’re looking for a groundcover that ’s both beautiful and operable , bugleweed is a fantastical option .

Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)

Blue Star Creeper is a delicate and low - growing groundcover that adds a trace of elegance to your garden . Native to Australia and New Zealand , this hardy flora thrives in full Dominicus to fond shadowiness and prefers moist , well - drain filth . Blue Star Creeper take shape a dense gym mat of tiny , light-green leaves that stay evergreen in mild climates , providing a soft , cushiony texture that ’s perfect for fill in between stepping Harlan Stone or covering large expanse .

In the spring and summer , Blue Star Creeper produces tiny , star - shaped blue or white heyday that bring a elusive touch of color to your garden . It ’s also tolerant of light-headed substructure dealings , making it a great selection for nerve pathway and edge . Blue Star Creeper is relatively easy to care for , require only casual watering and a light diligence of mulch to keep it look its best . If you ’re attend for a groundcover that ’s both beautiful and low - upkeep , Blue Star Creeper is a fantastic option .

Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Creeping Phlox is a democratic and various groundcover that ’s perfect for adding a splash of colouring to your garden . Native to the eastern United States , this audacious plant thrives in full sun and well - drained stain , pee-pee it idealistic for sunny spots in your garden . Creeping Phlox forms a heavy mat of needle - like leaves that detain evergreen in mild climates , providing year - round sake in your garden .

In the spring , Creeping Phlox produce a profusion of colorful prime in shades of pink , violet , dismal , or white , create a arresting carpet of color in your garden . It ’s also deer - resistant and drouth - liberal , pretend it a humiliated - upkeep choice for shroud large areas rapidly . Creeping Phlox is easy to care for , requiring only episodic watering and a light trimming after blossom to keep it looking neat . Whether you ’re face to fill in a gay slope , create a colored border , or cover a great area , Creeping Phlox is a reliable and attractive selection .

Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)

Woolly Thyme is a unparalleled and low - develop groundcover that add together a signature of texture to your garden . Native to Europe , this hardy plant thrives in full sunlight and well - drain soil , have it ideal for sunny spots in your garden . Woolly Thyme forms a impenetrable mat of soft , fuzzy , gray - green leave that stay evergreen in mild climates , providing a soft , cushiony texture that ’s pure for occupy in between stepping stones or covering with child areas .

In the summertime , Woolly Thyme farm bantam , pink or royal flowers that appeal bee and other pollinator to your garden . It ’s also drought - tolerant and cervid - immune , making it a modest - maintenance option for covering large areas chop-chop . Woolly Thyme is easy to care for , postulate only occasional watering and a light trimming after flowering to keep it look neat . If you ’re looking for a ground cover that ’s both beautiful and low-spirited - maintenance , Woolly Thyme is a howling option .

Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)

Nipponese Spurge is a unfearing and tone - tolerant groundcover that ’s stark for make full in shady fleck in your garden . Native to Japan and China , this evergreen plant thrives in partial to full tint and prefers moist , well - drained soil . Japanese Spurge shape a dense lustrelessness of shining , grim light-green leaves that rest vivacious year - rotund , providing a lush , green carpeting in your garden .

In the spring , Japanese Spurge produces little , white blossom that add a subtle touch of elegance to your garden . It ’s also cervid - resistant and requires minimal sustainment once established , making it a great choice for low - maintenance gardening . Japanese Spurge is easy to worry for , requiring only occasional lachrymation and a light software of mulch to keep it looking its full . If you ’re looking for a ground cover that ’s both beautiful and functional , Nipponese Spurge is a wondrous option .

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet Woodruff is a charming and shade - loving ground cover that adds a touch of elegance to your garden . aboriginal to Europe and Asia , this brave plant thrives in fond to full shade and prefers moist , well - drained grease . Sweet Woodruff forms a heavy mat of bright light-green , star - regulate leaves that stay vibrant throughout the arise season , offer a balmy , cushiony texture that ’s unadulterated for filling in funny spots in your garden .

In the spring , Sweet Woodruff farm clusters of flyspeck , white , star - shape flowers that add a delicate mite to your garden . It ’s also deer - resistant and requires minimal criminal maintenance once institute , making it a outstanding choice for low - alimony horticulture . Sweet Woodruff is easy to care for , requiring only occasional lacrimation and a light program of mulch to keep it looking its expert . If you ’re look for a groundcover that ’s both beautiful and low - maintenance , Sweet Woodruff is a grotesque option .

The Best Lawn Alternatives

produce a lowly - maintenance lawn alternative does n’t mean sacrifice beauty or functionality in your garden . By choose the right groundcover , you’re able to savour a lush , green landscape with minimal effort . Each of these ten groundcovers offers something unparalleled , whether it ’s the vivacious colour of Creeping Jenny , the fragrant blooms of Creeping Thyme , or the shade - tolerant beaut of Japanese Spurge .

Remember , the key to success with groundcovers is select plants that are well - become to your garden ’s condition , whether it ’s full sun , subtlety , or something in between . With a minuscule preparation and the right choices , you could create a beautiful , scummy - upkeep landscape painting that will thrive for long time to total .

sedum with yellow flowers