What Are the Best Alternatives to a Grass Lawn?
Sep 1, 2026 / Public Storage
The best alternatives to a grass lawn include xeriscaping, ground covers, native grasses, wildflower gardens, hardscaping, decorative gravel, artificial turf, rain gardens, and raised garden beds. The best fit for your yard depends on local climate, rainfall, sun exposure, soil, drainage, foot traffic, maintenance preferences, and how you plan to use the space.
Replacing all or part of a traditional lawn can reduce mowing. Depending on the plants and materials you choose, it may also reduce supplemental watering and routine upkeep.
Key Takeaways:
- Xeriscaping uses water-conscious landscaping principles and climate-appropriate plants.
- Ground covers adds low-growing greenery in suitable conditions.
- Native grasses and wildflowers creates a more natural landscape and support pollinators.
- Hardscaping and gravel turns lawn space into paths, patios, and outdoor seating areas.
- Rain gardens are an option for areas that collect runoff.
- Raised beds create room for vegetables, herbs, flowers, or other plantings.
- A yard redesign can temporarily crowd a garage or shed. A Public Storage unit near you can provide extra room for outdoor furniture, garden tools, and equipment while the project is underway.
Compare Popular Grass/Lawn Alternatives:
| Lawn Alternative | Works Well For | Maintenance Considerations |
| Xeriscaping | Water-conscious yards and dry climates | Choose plants and materials suited to local conditions |
| Ground covers | Areas where you want low-growing greenery | Plant performance varies by sun, soil, moisture, and foot traffic |
| Native grasses or wildflowers | Natural-looking landscapes and pollinator-friendly gardens | Use regional, noninvasive species |
| Hardscaping | Patios, paths, dining, seating, and entertaining areas | Reduces mowing, but materials and surfaces still need upkeep |
| Gravel, crushed granite, or stone | Borders, paths, seating areas, and water-wise landscapes | Consider drainage, heat, weeds, and climate along with cost |
| Artificial turf | Select high-traffic areas | Consider surface temperature, drainage, cost, and long-term maintenance |
| Rain gardens | Areas that regularly collect stormwater runoff | Design depends on site drainage, soil, and local climate |
| Raised garden beds | Growing herbs, vegetables, fruits, or flowers | Requires watering and regular care |
Xeriscaping for Lower-Water Needs
Xeriscaping is a landscaping approach designed to reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental irrigation that combines water-efficient plants, soil preparation, mulch, efficient irrigation when needed, and materials such as gravel or stone. While xeriscaping is often associated with dry climates, its water-conscious approach can be adapted to many regions. The key is selecting native or climate-appropriate plants that suit your yard’s conditions.
Ground Covers Instead of Grass
Ground cover plants are a useful grass alternative if you want greenery without a traditional turf lawn. Depending on your location and growing conditions, options may include clover, creeping thyme, moss, and other low-growing plants. Some ground covers can handle light foot traffic, but results vary by plant type, sunlight, soil, moisture, and climate. A local nursery or extension service can help identify plants that fit your region.
Native Grasses and Wildflower Gardens
Native grasses and wildflower gardens often replace part of a lawn with a more natural-looking landscape. Once established, plants adapted to local conditions may require less supplemental water and maintenance than conventional turfgrass. Native vegetation may also provide food and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.
Pro Tip: Look for seed mixes and plants recommended for your area and confirm they are appropriate and noninvasive before planting.
Hardscaping for Outdoor Living Space
Hardscaping has the ability to transform an underused section of a lawn into a space for outdoor dining, seating, grilling, or entertaining. It also reduces the amount of grass you need to mow.
Common hardscape options include:
- Pavers or brick for patios and walkways
- Concrete for patios, seating areas, and paths
- Wood decking for elevated outdoor spaces
- Composite decking as a lower-maintenance alternative to traditional wood
- Gravel or stone for paths, seating areas, and landscaping
If you are replacing a larger lawn area with a patio or deck, you may need to temporarily store outdoor furniture, planters, and equipment to create a clearer work area. Since more than 45% of Public Storage properties offer drive-up access units that are helpful when loading larger household or outdoor items, you can find a location close by to help with your landscape redesign.
Learn more about drive-up storage.
Gravel, Stone, and Artificial Turf
Decorative gravel, pebbles, river rock, and other landscaping stone can replace grass in areas where greenery is not a priority or light doesn’t reach to help vegetation grow. These materials can work well for pathways, borders, seating areas, and water-wise landscapes. Before covering a large area, consider drainage, local temperatures, weeds, and the overall climate. Artificial turf is another option that does not require mowing or irrigation for growth, though homeowners may want to consider surface temperature, drainage, installation cost, and long-term maintenance before installing.
Rain Gardens for Wet Areas
A rain garden is a practical option if part of your yard regularly collects stormwater runoff. Rain gardens are shallow planted areas designed to temporarily collect and absorb runoff and typically include plants that can handle both wet and dry conditions. The right location, size, and plant selection depend on your yard’s drainage patterns, soil, and local climate.
Raised Garden Beds for a Productive Yard
Raised beds can turn part of a lawn into a dedicated area for growing vegetables, herbs, fruits, or flowers. They are not necessarily a low-maintenance alternative, since they still require watering and regular upkeep, but they can make outdoor space more useful.
Do You Have to Replace the Entire Lawn?
Not necessarily. Replacing one section at a time can make the project more manageable and allow you to see which options work best for your property.
You might begin by:
- Creating a native plant garden
- Adding a small patio
- Installing a few raised beds
- Replacing turf in a difficult-to-mow area
Before making major changes, review local landscaping rules, HOA requirements, and other applicable restrictions.
If you do choose to replace the entire lawn and need temporary storage for patio furniture or other outdoor items, look for one of the 4,600 Public Store locations across 42 states and enjoy their flexible month-to-month rental terms.
How to Choose the Right Lawn Alternative
Use these questions to narrow your options:
- How much water do you want to use? Native plants and xeriscaping help reduce supplemental irrigation.
- How much maintenance works for your routine? Ground covers and hardscaping reduce mowing, though every option needs upkeep.
- Will people walk or play in the area often? Patios and pathways are better options for areas that will see frequent foot traffic.
- Does the area collect water? A rain garden works well for wet climates.
- What does your local climate support? Select plants and materials that fit local sunlight, temperatures, soil, and rainfall.
Make Room During Your Yard Redesign
A lawn replacement project can leave garden tools, patio furniture, outdoor equipment, and planters competing for room in a garage, shed, or driveway; a storage unit helps you clear the work area while you update your landscape. There’s nothing worse than being crowded while working, and overcrowding can also lead to damage of expensive garden pots and planters.
Use the Public Storage Size Guide to compare storage-unit options, then find a nearby location to view availability and features. Public Storage offers a range of unit sizes for household and outdoor items.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lowest maintenance alternative to a grass lawn?
Hardscaping, gravel, stone, and some artificial-turf installations reduce the need for mowing. However, drainage, weeds, surface heat, climate, price, and long-term upkeep are important factors when choosing among them.
What can I plant instead of grass?
Depending on your climate and yard conditions, alternatives may include native grasses, wildflowers, clover, creeping thyme, moss, and other low-growing ground covers. Consult a local nursery or expert for regionally appropriate options.
Can I replace only part of my lawn?
Yes, replacing one area at a time like a difficult-to-mow section, a patio area, or a garden bed—can make the project easier to manage and help you determine what works best for your property.
Where can I put patio furniture and garden tools during a yard project?
A self-storage unit can provide extra room for outdoor furniture, tools, equipment, and planters while your garage, shed, or yard is in use for the project. Compare unit options with the Public Storage Size Guide.
