Did you know that large, real grass lawns can set you back an estimated $1,600-$1,700 in annual maintenance costs?
Mowing, fertilizing, weeding, aerating, and pest control all add up. Plus, extravagant water usage is not helping the water shortages in drought-affected areas of Texas. Around 30 percent of municipal water use in Texas is attributed to landscape irrigation and water conservation is a key goal of the Texas Water Development Board.
That’s why many homeowners are switching to more sustainable grass alternatives in Texas—from artificial grass to pavers or other organic surfaces.
Let’s look at why grass may no longer be the answer for Texas landscaping and the top lawn replacement ideas…
7 Reasons Why Grass Alternatives Make Sense in Texas
Grass is a traditional sight in backyards but even the best grass types for Texas can struggle in our unforgiving climate.
Grass alternatives are becoming more popular mainly due to:
- Better drought tolerance and less impact from watering restrictions in areas like San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and elsewhere.
- Lower costs of upkeep—we’ve already mentioned the high costs of maintaining grass lawns.
- Less fossil fuel usage from lawnmowers, weed-whackers, and other garden machinery.
- Fewer toxic chemicals from fertilizers, herbicides, and weedkillers.
- Less work for homeowners who must often spend hours every week looking after their lawns.
- No restrictions in shaded yards, where grass lawns can be challenging.
- Fewer issues from poor soils, which are widespread across Texas.
SAVE TIME, MONEY & WATER WITH ARTIFICIAL GRASS
The experienced team at Artificial Grass Pros will provide a free estimate and help you make the switch. Contact us here.
Top 12 Grass Alternatives For Texas Yards
If you’re considering grass alternatives in your Texas backyard, here are your best options…
1. Artificial Grass
Replacing turfgrass with an artificial grass lawn can instantly reduce outdoor water usage by 60-80 percent.
With next-to-no maintenance, synthetic lawns stay green all year and, once installed, require no water, sunlight, chemicals or expensive lawn care.
The best artificial turf in Texas perfectly emulates the lush appearance of real grass but without the ongoing expense or effort—and it can last up to 20 years, paying back the initially high installation costs within 5-6 years.
2. Mulch
Mulch is used extensively across Texas as an organic material that works with almost any other groundcover, such as grass, artificial grass, native plants or gravel.
Often used in flower beds and around shrubs and trees, mulch made of tree bark, wood chips, and pine straw can be used extensively in hot, dry climates, also helping to retain precious moisture.
3. Flagstones
Flagstones are another leading grass alternative for Texan backyards. Large patios and firepits often feature these attractive stone pavers—which can also be used to create pathways across gravel or artificial grass lawns.
Flagstones look stylish, last forever, and require almost no maintenance or water. They cost more than concrete but pay the extra expense back in beauty.
4. Red Brick Pavers
For smaller yards that don’t have the space for large flagstone patios, red-brick pavers are a good alternative for sitting areas.
Red-brick pavers can bring a homely, rustic feel to your yard while they are also highly practical, affordable, and low maintenance, handling drainage well.
5. Crushed Rock
Crushed limestone rock is another affordable, low-maintenance grass alternative that provides good drainage and works well alongside other landscaping materials like artificial grass and mulch.
Although the rock pieces have more jagged edges than pea gravel (see below), crushed rock is generally safe in areas designed for walking rather than kids’ play areas or dog runs.
6. Concrete
Concrete can be used for driveways, backyards, side yards, and more. While it may not always have the attractive appearance of other options outlined here, it can look elegant when combined with other materials—and often comes out on top for affordability and practicality, requiring zero maintenance.
Concrete is best when used sparingly with other landscaping materials. You can get some more ideas for concrete driveways here.
7. Pea Gravel
Pea gravel is a common sight in backyards in Texas. Small, rounded, pea-sized stones colored cream, brown, tan, gray, etc. add a dash of elegance next to patches of color provided by flower beds, trees, shrubs, artificial grass, etc.
Once installed, pea gravel requires almost no maintenance, allows good drainage, and is comfortable to walk on because of its rounded edges.
8. Composite Pavers
Composite materials are often used in the construction of decks and patios to emulate the homely and inviting appearance of wood.
You can also use composite pavers for sitting areas in yards, offering an affordable, eye-catching, durable, and low-maintenance alternative to grass.
9. Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is a form of drought-tolerant landscaping designed to conserve water and benefit from the drought-resistant and heat-resistant properties of native plants.
Often using crushed rock and native plants such as Black-Eyed Susan, Red Yucca, Texas Sage, etc., xeriscaping is an excellent grass alternative if you are concerned with water usage but want to retain a natural, organic solution for your backyard.
10. Dutch Clover
Clover used to be a common part of Terxan lawns but it was generally viewed as unsightly and tended to be eradicated. Now a clover lawn alternative is a viable option if you’re looking to replace grass.
More homeowners enjoy the benefits of a low-maintenance, water-friendly, nitrogen-fixing plant like Duch Clover as a natural lawn substitute.
Once introduced, clover grows easily with broad and low-lying leaves and can tolerate foot traffic and shade.
11. Green and Gold
A native Texan groundcover that provides another natural option as a grass alternative is Green and Gold.
Attractive, with bright yellow flowers (spring and summer) on a carpet of verdant green, this plant flourishes in full sun and shade even in acidic soils and, once established, is easy to maintain.
Some green and gold types can grow to six inches tall when in bloom, while others hug the ground.
12. Creeping Speedwell
Creeping Speedwell is another hardly local plant with deep green evergreen foliage and white to lavender-blue flowers.
Flourishing in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils and suitable for moderate foot traffic, Creeping Speedwell can work between pavers or as an entire lawn.
This native Texan groundcover tends to hug the ground and is an excellent grass alternative for homeowners who want to maintain a natural yard.
| GRASS ALTERNATIVE | UPFRONT COST | ONGOING COSTS | MAINTENANCE | WATER USE | INSTALLATION |
| Artificial Grass | High | Very low | Very low | Very low | Professional |
| Mulch | Low | Very low | Very low | Very low | DIY |
| Flagstones | Moderate | Very low | Very low | Very low | Professional |
| Red-Brick Pavers | Moderate | Very low | Very low | Very low | Professional |
| Crushed Rock | Moderate | Very low | Very low | Very low | Professional/DIY |
| Concrete | Moderate | Very low | Very low | Very low | Professional/DIY |
| Pea Gravel | Moderate | Very low | Low | Very low | Professional/DIY |
| Composite Pavers | High | Very low | Very low | Very low | Professional |
| Xeriscaping | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Professional/DIY |
| Dutch Clover | Low | Low | Low once established | Moderate | DIY |
| Green and Gold | Low | Low | Low once established | Moderate | DIY |
| Creeping Speedwell | Low | Low | Low once established | Moderate | DIY |
FAQs
Install a Low-Maintenance Grass Alternative in Texas…
A low-maintenance lawn is not an impossible dream if you choose the right grass type, a native plant option or change direction and opt for artificial grass instead.
Artificial grass needs next-to-no work to maintain and is a sustainable landscaping idea for Texas backyards. We’ve helped thousands of homeowners enjoy its verdant look and lush feel in the past decade and more.Speak to our experienced team of turf professionals to discuss your options.
