June 1, 2026 - 10:36am -- atlas.24@osu.edu

Thinking of switching up your lawn? Maybe you want a new look, lower maintenance, or wildlife benefit. There are several options for alternative groundcovers that are both attractive and serve various purposes that turf does not. Some are even native! Read on to see if any of these options might work for your yard.

Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica)Bright green blades of Pennsylvania sedge peeking through fallen leaves.

Pennsylvania sedge has a flowy, delicate appearance and is native to the thickets and woody regions of Ohio. As such, it thrives in locations that are moist and in part sun. Heavy shade is tolerable, but not full sun. Maintenance is simple: mow once a year to keep it two to three inches tall. This groundcover is a good choice for shadier areas that don’t get heavy foot traffic.

Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris ssp. Lanceolata)

Some view it as a lawn weed, but the native self-heal can actually be a beautiful and hardy groundcover. A relative of mint, this perennial wildflower will quickly spread to fill its space with lavender blooms that are a favorite of bees. Self-heal prefers moist, sunny locations, but can adapt to most conditions. If you want to grow self-heal in an area that gets foot traffic (low to moderate is fine) keep it mowed at three inches tall.

White stonecrop (Sedum album)White stonecrop creeping along the ground. The succulent leaves range in color from lime green to a rosy red.

Choose white stonecrop if you need a groundcover for dry, sunny conditions. This low-growing succulent wants sandy soil with low fertility and is unfazed by drought or heat once established. White stonecrop makes a striking choice; the leaves can range in color from lime green to a vibrant red, and white blooms bring pollinators to the yard. Place stepping stones down for any walkways because white stonecrop only tolerates occasional foot traffic. No mowing required!

Clover

Clover is one of the few options that can withstand moderate foot traffic. It works well on its own, mixed with turfgrass, or in combination with other groundcovers. There are many options to choose from, but one popular and readily available option is white clover. It’s a great pick for pollinators; they love the pale flowers. For those with allergies, try micro-clover instead since it doesn’t bloom. Clover thrives in full to part sun in moist soil.

Planning and Care

Fall is the best time to plant most of these, so start planning now. If you intend to replace turfgrass, you’ll need to kill it first using an herbicide or solarization (covering the grass with a sheet of clear plastic to “cook” it). Apply soil amendments as necessary, completing a soil test first if you haven’t had one in the last three years. When time to plant, till the top six inches of soil and space the individual plants with enough room for them to fill in according to their typical spread. Although these groundcovers are all low maintenance, they require extra care until established. Ensure their water needs are met and diligently pull weeds to prevent competition.

As you decide which groundcovers to plant and where, keep in mind how you want to use your yard. For example, if you have pets or children that need space to play, it may be better to keep some of your lawn as a play area and convert the rest into alternative groundcovers. Also consider whether one or multiple groundcovers might look best in your yard. Many groundcovers can blend together to make a more interesting and resilient landscape.  Lastly, prioritize what is most important to you. Is your main goal lowering your water bill? Supporting pollinators? Getting rid of your lawnmower? Keep that priority in mind as you decide the makeup of your yard.

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Article written by Natasha Atlas, Extension Educators Coordinator with OSU Extension Madison County. Have a gardening question? Send it to us by emailing atlas.24@osu.edu.