If you’re tired of the endless mowing, watering, and fertilizing that comes with maintaining a traditional lawn, you’re not alone. Many gardeners are turning to groundcovers as a low-maintenance, eco-friendly alternative to grass. Groundcovers not only require less care but also offer a range of textures, colors, and even flowers that can enhance the beauty of your garden. Plus, they’re great for erosion control, weed suppression, and creating a lush, green space without the hassle of a traditional lawn.
In this article, we’ll explore ten of the best groundcovers for creating a low-maintenance lawn alternative. These plants are hardy, easy to care for, and perfect for filling in large areas with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for something that thrives in the sun or shade, or you want a groundcover that can handle foot traffic, there’s something here for every garden. Let’s dive in and discover how you can transform your lawn into a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape!
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping thyme is a delightful and fragrant groundcover that’s perfect for creating a low-maintenance lawn alternative. Native to Europe and North Africa, this hardy plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for sunny spots in your garden. Creeping thyme forms a dense mat of tiny, aromatic leaves that release a pleasant scent when stepped on, making it a great choice for pathways and areas with light foot traffic.
In addition to its lovely foliage, creeping thyme produces clusters of tiny pink, purple, or white flowers in the summer, attracting bees and other pollinators to your garden. It’s drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and requires minimal maintenance once established. Simply trim it back after flowering to keep it looking neat and encourage new growth. Whether you’re looking to cover a large area or add a touch of fragrance to your garden, creeping thyme is an excellent choice.
Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a versatile and resilient groundcover that’s perfect for creating a low-maintenance lawn alternative. Native to the Northern Hemisphere, sedum thrives in a variety of conditions, including poor, rocky soil and full sun. This succulent plant forms dense mats of fleshy leaves in shades of green, blue, or red, depending on the variety. It’s incredibly drought-tolerant, making it ideal for areas where water conservation is a priority.
Sedum also produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in late summer and early fall, adding a splash of color to your garden. The flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making sedum a great choice for supporting local wildlife. One of the best things about sedum is its ability to spread quickly and cover large areas with minimal care. Whether you’re looking to fill in a rocky slope, cover a dry, sunny spot, or create a colorful groundcover, sedum is a reliable and attractive option.
Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)

Irish moss is a charming and low-growing groundcover that creates a lush, green carpet in your garden. Despite its name, Irish moss is actually a type of flowering plant, not a true moss. Native to Europe, it thrives in cool, moist conditions and prefers partial shade to full sun. Irish moss forms a dense mat of tiny, bright green leaves that stay evergreen year-round, providing a soft, cushiony texture that’s perfect for filling in between stepping stones or covering large areas.
In the spring and early summer, Irish moss produces small, white, star-shaped flowers that add a delicate touch to your garden. It’s also an excellent choice for edging paths and borders, as it stays low to the ground and doesn’t require frequent trimming. Irish moss is relatively easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering during dry spells and a light application of mulch to keep it looking its best. If you’re looking for a groundcover that’s both beautiful and low-maintenance, Irish moss is a fantastic option.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny is a vibrant and fast-growing groundcover that’s perfect for adding a splash of color to your garden. Native to Europe and Western Asia, this hardy plant thrives in both full sun and partial shade, making it a versatile choice for a variety of garden conditions. Creeping Jenny forms a dense mat of bright yellow-green leaves that stay vibrant throughout the growing season, providing a striking contrast to other plants in your garden.
One of the standout features of Creeping Jenny is its ability to tolerate wet conditions, making it ideal for planting near water features or in areas with poor drainage. It also produces small, cup-shaped yellow flowers in the summer, adding a touch of brightness to your garden. Creeping Jenny is easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering and trimming to keep it in check. It’s an excellent choice for covering large areas quickly or adding a pop of color to shaded or damp spots in your garden.
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed, also known as ajuga, is a hardy and attractive groundcover that’s perfect for creating a low-maintenance lawn alternative. Native to Europe, bugleweed thrives in partial shade to full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil. This versatile plant forms a dense mat of glossy, dark green or purple leaves that stay evergreen in mild climates, providing year-round interest in your garden.
In the spring, bugleweed produces spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. It’s also deer-resistant and tolerates foot traffic, making it a great choice for pathways and borders. Bugleweed is easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering and a light trimming after flowering to keep it looking neat. If you’re looking for a groundcover that’s both beautiful and functional, bugleweed is a fantastic option.
Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)

Blue Star Creeper is a delicate and low-growing groundcover that adds a touch of elegance to your garden. Native to Australia and New Zealand, this hardy plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Blue Star Creeper forms a dense mat of tiny, green leaves that stay evergreen in mild climates, providing a soft, cushiony texture that’s perfect for filling in between stepping stones or covering large areas.
In the spring and summer, Blue Star Creeper produces tiny, star-shaped blue or white flowers that add a subtle touch of color to your garden. It’s also tolerant of light foot traffic, making it a great choice for pathways and borders. Blue Star Creeper is relatively easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering and a light application of mulch to keep it looking its best. If you’re looking for a groundcover that’s both beautiful and low-maintenance, Blue Star Creeper is a fantastic option.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Creeping Phlox is a popular and versatile groundcover that’s perfect for adding a splash of color to your garden. Native to the eastern United States, this hardy plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for sunny spots in your garden. Creeping Phlox forms a dense mat of needle-like leaves that stay evergreen in mild climates, providing year-round interest in your garden.
In the spring, Creeping Phlox produces a profusion of colorful flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, or white, creating a stunning carpet of color in your garden. It’s also deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, making it a low-maintenance option for covering large areas quickly. Creeping Phlox is easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering and a light trimming after flowering to keep it looking neat. Whether you’re looking to fill in a sunny slope, create a colorful border, or cover a large area, Creeping Phlox is a reliable and attractive choice.
Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)

Woolly Thyme is a unique and low-growing groundcover that adds a touch of texture to your garden. Native to Europe, this hardy plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for sunny spots in your garden. Woolly Thyme forms a dense mat of soft, fuzzy, gray-green leaves that stay evergreen in mild climates, providing a soft, cushiony texture that’s perfect for filling in between stepping stones or covering large areas.
In the summer, Woolly Thyme produces tiny, pink or purple flowers that attract bees and other pollinators to your garden. It’s also drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, making it a low-maintenance option for covering large areas quickly. Woolly Thyme is easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering and a light trimming after flowering to keep it looking neat. If you’re looking for a groundcover that’s both beautiful and low-maintenance, Woolly Thyme is a fantastic option.
Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)

Japanese Spurge is a hardy and shade-tolerant groundcover that’s perfect for filling in shady spots in your garden. Native to Japan and China, this evergreen plant thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Japanese Spurge forms a dense mat of glossy, dark green leaves that stay vibrant year-round, providing a lush, green carpet in your garden.
In the spring, Japanese Spurge produces small, white flowers that add a subtle touch of elegance to your garden. It’s also deer-resistant and requires minimal maintenance once established, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardening. Japanese Spurge is easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering and a light application of mulch to keep it looking its best. If you’re looking for a groundcover that’s both beautiful and functional, Japanese Spurge is a fantastic option.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet Woodruff is a charming and shade-loving groundcover that adds a touch of elegance to your garden. Native to Europe and Asia, this hardy plant thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Sweet Woodruff forms a dense mat of bright green, star-shaped leaves that stay vibrant throughout the growing season, providing a soft, cushiony texture that’s perfect for filling in shady spots in your garden.
In the spring, Sweet Woodruff produces clusters of tiny, white, star-shaped flowers that add a delicate touch to your garden. It’s also deer-resistant and requires minimal maintenance once established, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardening. Sweet Woodruff is easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering and a light application of mulch to keep it looking its best. If you’re looking for a groundcover that’s both beautiful and low-maintenance, Sweet Woodruff is a fantastic option.
The Best Lawn Alternatives

Creating a low-maintenance lawn alternative doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty or functionality in your garden. By choosing the right groundcovers, you can enjoy a lush, green landscape with minimal effort. Each of these ten groundcovers offers something unique, whether it’s the vibrant color of Creeping Jenny, the fragrant blooms of Creeping Thyme, or the shade-tolerant beauty of Japanese Spurge.
Remember, the key to success with groundcovers is selecting plants that are well-suited to your garden’s conditions, whether it’s full sun, shade, or something in between. With a little planning and the right choices, you can create a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape that will thrive for years to come.