Today’s Solutions: December 19, 2025

Last year we shared an article about how clover lawns can be a beautiful and sustainable alternative to traditional grass, but clover isn’t the only option to green up your greenery. Here are 10 other natural lawn alternatives. 

  1. Creeping Thyme. Also called wild thyme, this plant grows well in well-drained yards and bees love its small flowers. It survives well from year to year with little maintenance. 
  2. Creeping Mazus. This plant only grows about two inches tall, making it perfect for a lawn replacement. It thrives in well-drained yards and its small purple flowers are beautiful in spring. 
  3. Cedar sage. Sages are a great option for damp, shaded yards. Bunching them together makes for a great lawn-like feel. 
  4. Lily Turf. Also good for shady backyards, these flowering plants are beautiful and do an excellent job of attracting wildlife. 
  5. Sweet Woodruff. This plant spreads easily, so it’s a great low maintenance option for shady yards. Plus, its fragrant flowers will make your yard smell heavenly in the spring and summer. 
  6. Corsican Mint. Similar to clovers, this plant has small round leaves that create a soft texture underfoot and thrives in most growing conditions. 
  7. Creeping Jenny. This hearty plant grows well in rough conditions and the “Aurea” variety even produces beautiful yellow flowers. 
  8. Blue Fescue. This plant won’t have the same texture as grass, but its blue hue makes for a gorgeous ornamental grass that thrives in dry climates. 
  9. Lily of the Valley. For a more delicate look, you’ll love the delicate bell-shaped flowers of this plant. It spreads easily from year to year making it a low-maintenance option. 
  10. Native Plants. Native plants are the most sustainable option for your yard. While they might not offer the same atmosphere as a lawn, they are the best for supporting pollinators and local ecosystems. 

Spring is right around the corner and if you’re looking to spruce up your yard and reduce water use, consider some of these plant options!

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

New method uses sound waves to map soil health, stop famine, and restore farm...

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Across the world, soil scientists are trading in their shovels for something unexpected: seismic sensors. In a breakthrough ...

Read More

This simple 15-minute mindset exercise can ease anxiety, science shows

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A growing body of research is revealing how a short, simple activity that is done in just 15 ...

Read More

3 habits of the happiest people

Think of the happiest people you know. Do you find yourself often wondering what they are doing to maintain a general level of joy? ...

Read More

Changemakers of the week: GRuB and SparkNJ

Every day on the Optimist Daily, we report on solutions from around the world. Though we love solutions big and small, the ones that ...

Read More