15 Ground Cover Plants You Should Grow Instead Of Grass In Your Yard

There are a number of reasons replacing traditional turf grass in your yard is a good idea. The variations allow beauty and uniqueness and tend to be environmentally beneficial, often requiring less watering and energy-laden upkeep like pruning and mowing. Well-chosen groundcovers also assist in keeping your yard or neighborhood more ecologically diverse and solve common problems like erosion or drought conditions.

Alternative groundcovers are also an excellent option for grass replacement in those areas of your yard that resist grass, require erosion protection, or seem inhospitable to other greenery. According to New Garden Landscaping & Nursery, groundcovers can also be an economical choice, requiring less care and expensive replacement than traditional turf yards. Most groundcover plants are perennial, and outside of a bit of pruning to keep your variety from growing where you don't want it to, most need little upkeep. Whatever your climate, traffic patterns, aesthetics, or other needs, there is a perfect and beautiful groundcover for you. You just have to find it!

Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) is an excellent choice for shady areas in your yard that get little to no sun. This groundcover sports low, broad plants and tiny white buds in the spring and summer. Deer and rabbit resistant, Japanese pachysandra does best in USDA zones 4 through 8 and moist but well-drained soil conditions. According to The Morton Arboretum, Japanese pachysandra originated in Japan and grows heartily in several climates but is considered an exotic invasive species in some states. Plants grow about 6 to 12 inches high and up to 12 inches wide.

Delosperma (Delosperma cooperi) thrives in many settings and zones and is considered a variety of ice plants. According to High Country Gardens, the species does particularly well in the dryer, less humid USDA zones 6 through 8 (the Appalachian mountains and Eastern Seaboard), where it is a perennial. Growing up to 6 inches tall and 24 inches wide, the most common variety of Delosperma boasts pink and yellow flowers each spring but can come in various shades, including red, orange, and violet. Delosperma does best in rocky, sandy, or loamy soils but is not as friendly to clay-based varieties.

This creeping groundcover with spindly leaves is perfect for various climates, particularly in small spaces between paver stones or narrow strips of land. A durable option that needs only moderate water and thrives in partial shade and partial sun environments, Lilyturf (Liriope muscari) does best in USDA zones 4 through 10. Lilyturf blooms in late summer with purple, tall blossoms. According to Monrovia, many homeowners appreciate the resemblance of Lilyturf to traditional grass. Plants can grow from 10 to 16 inches tall and up to 18 inches wide. Lilyturf thrives best in sandy or clay soil with good drainage.

Hills and sloped areas in your yard can often be the most challenging areas to cover, and drainage issues and erosion can plague even the most careful plantings. Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) forms a rich, dense cover perfect for these more dangerous areas. Growing anywhere from 6 to 12 inches tall and forming a mat up to 10 feet wide, creeping juniper does well in several climates and soil and adapts well to harsher environments, according to Epic Gardening. Creeping juniper does best in USDA zones 3 through 10.

With a dense thicket of roots below ground, creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera)  offers an excellent solution to erosion problems in your yard. While the plants can thrive in any soil, according to Great Garden Plants, creeping phlox is particularly perfect for rocky and sandy soils rich with organic matter. Phlox stolonifera does well in USDA zones 3 through 10 in various sun circumstances and blooms in spring. While purple-pink flowers are most common, you can purchase seeds for different-colored blooms, including blue and red. Creeping Phlox grows up to 8 inches tall and 2 feet wide. 

While many groundcovers sport blossoms during certain parts of the year, some are more beautiful and showy than others. Horned violets (Viola cornuta), members of the pansy family, come in an array of shades varying from deep purple to pale lavender — and even red! A perennial in more moderate climates, these low plants with gorgeous blooms are perfect in conditions of average moisture and partial shade in USDA zones 5 through 9. According to Plants For A Future, these blooms every spring and summer and can grow up to 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide. 

Moss (Bryophyta) is probably already blooming somewhere in your yard, and with a little help, according to the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District, you can use it as a soft and lush groundcover. While not durable for heavy traffic, moss is perfect in untrod areas and spaces between paving stones. It is also excellent for shady areas under trees, garden statuary, and near your home's foundation. It grows best in USDA zones 4 through 8 in acidic, alkaline, or neutral soils. Depending on the variety, moss usually measures 1 to 2 inches tall and up to 12 inches wide.