Top 12 Grass Alternatives in Texas

Apr 2, 2025 | Artificial Grass

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 Alternatives 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:

  1. Better drought tolerance and less impact from watering restrictions in areas like San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and elsewhere.
  2. Lower costs of upkeep—we’ve already mentioned the high costs of maintaining grass lawns.
  3. Less fossil fuel usage from lawnmowers, weed-whackers, and other garden machinery.
  4. Fewer toxic chemicals from fertilizers, herbicides, and weedkillers.
  5. Less work for homeowners who must often spend hours every week looking after their lawns.
  6. No restrictions in shaded yards, where grass lawns can be challenging.
  7. Fewer issues from poor soils, which are widespread across Texas.
Top Grass Alternatives Texas-  Artificial Grass

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.

Grass Alternatives Texas -Artficial Turf

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.

Grass Alternatives Texas - Mulch

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.

Grass Alternatives Texas - Flagstones

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.

Grass Alternatives Texas - Red Brick Pavers

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.

Grass Alternatives Texas - Crushed Rock

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.

Grass Alternatives Texas - Concrete

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. 

Grass Alternatives Texas - Pea Gravel

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.

Grass Alternatives Texas - Composite Pavers

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.

Grass Alternatives Texas - Xeriscaping

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.

Grass Alternatives Texas - Dutch Clover

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.

Grass Alternatives Texas - Green And Gold

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.

Grass Alternatives Texas - Creeping Speedwell

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

That depends on what you’re looking for. Artificial grass landscaping provides an appearance similar to grass (without the work) but if you want a native Texan look, xeriscaping or a native, drought-tolerant groundcover like Creeping Speedwell work well combined with mulch. Hardscaping options include gravel, pavers, flagstones or crushed stone. 

Yes, plants such as Dutch Clover, Creeping Speedwell, Green and Gold, Creeping Thyme, Blue Star Creeper, Texas Frogfruit, and Dwarf Yarrow can work as lawn replacement groundcovers in Texas. They have the added benefit of attracting pollinators to your yard.

The grass you choose will depend on your location, soil conditions, and local yard conditions—for instance, shaded yards require more shade-tolerant grass. Native plants can offer a low-maintenance grass alternative but the lowest-maintenance grass type is artificial grass, which requires no watering, fertilizer, weeding, mowing or pest control.

Artificial grass is more expensive to install than real grass but if properly installed and looked after, it pays back the investment in around five years, saving thousands of dollars for homeowners over its long, 15- to 20-year life. Estimates put savings at around $1,000 per year for many homeowners.

Grass Alternatives Texas - Synthetic Grass

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.

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