Lawn Substitutes - Ask Extension
Are there any good lawn substitutes for Houston? Is White Clover a good idea. Or should I go with the traditional grass sold in stores?
Knowledgebase
Lawn Substitutes #868488
Asked May 15, 2024, 7:04 AM EDT
Are there any good lawn substitutes for Houston? Is White Clover a good idea. Or should I go with the traditional grass sold in stores?
Harris County Texas
Expert Response
Hi Virna,
It's great that you are considering alternatives to a standard turfgrass lawn! Turfgrasses can require a lot of maintenance and consume large quantities of water and there are a lot of options that can reduce both of these aspects.
As you consider what to do your first stop should probably be to contact your local homeowner's association (if you home is subject to one) to make sure you understand any limitations they might place on you.
Once you have that and depending on your motivations there are quite a few viable alternatives for our area but unfortunately white clover (trifolium repens) is not one of them. This European native does grow around Southeast Texas but generally as a cool season annual and it typically dies back once our summer heat and humidity hits. This makes it a less than desirable lawn alternative for our area.
Mulch, groundcovers, walkways and other hardscape are all components you might want to consider in place of a traditional lawn and will reduce maintenance and water usage.
Native groundcovers you could consider include things like Straggler Daisy (Calyptocarpus vialis, also known as Horseherb) or Texas Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora). Both of these are well adapted to our area.
Non-native groundcovers you might consider include things like Asian Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) or Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicas). Both of these are shade tolerant and grow well in our area.
The EarthKind plant selector at Texas A&M (https://ekps.tamu.edu/) is a great resource to use as you consider potential plants for your landscape.
If you elect to go with a traditional lawn we have included a document from Texas A&M that will help you select a grass to plant.
Thanks for your question and if you have any additional questions please just email us at <personal data hidden> or call us at<personal data hidden>.
Tom
FBMG Help Desk Volunteer
It's great that you are considering alternatives to a standard turfgrass lawn! Turfgrasses can require a lot of maintenance and consume large quantities of water and there are a lot of options that can reduce both of these aspects.
As you consider what to do your first stop should probably be to contact your local homeowner's association (if you home is subject to one) to make sure you understand any limitations they might place on you.
Once you have that and depending on your motivations there are quite a few viable alternatives for our area but unfortunately white clover (trifolium repens) is not one of them. This European native does grow around Southeast Texas but generally as a cool season annual and it typically dies back once our summer heat and humidity hits. This makes it a less than desirable lawn alternative for our area.
Mulch, groundcovers, walkways and other hardscape are all components you might want to consider in place of a traditional lawn and will reduce maintenance and water usage.
Native groundcovers you could consider include things like Straggler Daisy (Calyptocarpus vialis, also known as Horseherb) or Texas Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora). Both of these are well adapted to our area.
Non-native groundcovers you might consider include things like Asian Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) or Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicas). Both of these are shade tolerant and grow well in our area.
The EarthKind plant selector at Texas A&M (https://ekps.tamu.edu/) is a great resource to use as you consider potential plants for your landscape.
If you elect to go with a traditional lawn we have included a document from Texas A&M that will help you select a grass to plant.
Thanks for your question and if you have any additional questions please just email us at <personal data hidden> or call us at<personal data hidden>.
Tom
FBMG Help Desk Volunteer
Tom,
Thanks for your quick answer, Do you have any idea of anybody that might sell either one of those plans, I looked online and I can't find anybody. from Texas selling seeds for those.
Regards,
Virna
Dear Virna,
Your local garden centers should have those in plant form. You may want to check with the ones closest to you. We have several in our area and as a rule do not endorse one over the other.
Thanks for your question and if you have any additional questions please just email us at <personal data hidden> or call us at<personal data hidden>.
Lynn
FBMG Help Desk Volunteer
Your local garden centers should have those in plant form. You may want to check with the ones closest to you. We have several in our area and as a rule do not endorse one over the other.
Thanks for your question and if you have any additional questions please just email us at <personal data hidden> or call us at<personal data hidden>.
Lynn
FBMG Help Desk Volunteer
