LAWN ALTERNATIVES
Who doesn’t love a lush, green space? The kind that makes you want to spend an afternoon simply enjoying the calm of nature?
One thing that can hold people back from removing their lawns is the belief that it means giving up that feeling of greenery altogether. Even if a lawn isn’t regularly used, it can still feel like an important part of the home, something soothing to look at, full of potential, and visually comforting.
At Grow Monrovia, part of our mission is to help people understand that California native plant habitats do not mean rocks and cactus. Instead, we focus on creating vibrant, living landscapes filled with big leafy shrubs, shade trees, flowers, and native grasses. Together, these elements can transform even the smallest outdoor space into a calming oasis for both people and wildlife.
On this page, you’ll find information about many of our California native grasses, which are ideal for ground cover or for softening and enriching an area’s overall look and feel.
When you’re ready, contact us to see how we can work together to re-imagine your outdoor space.
California Buffalo Grass
Bouteloua dactyloides ‘UC Verde’
California Buffalo Grass (UC Verde) forms a dense, fine-textured carpet that stays low and green in California’s hot, dry climate. Once established, it requires very little water, tolerates light foot traffic, and can be mowed occasionally for a tidy look or left to grow naturally for a meadow-like feel. Its deep roots make it resilient in drought conditions, and it produces very few seed heads, making it an allergy-friendly choice for a low-maintenance lawn.
Soil Type: Neutral to Slightly Alkaline, Sandy, Loam • Sun: Full Sun • Water Use: Very Low • USDA Zones: 7, 8, 9, 10
California Frogfruit
Phyla nodiflora
A tough, low-growing native groundcover that creates a soft, spreading carpet perfect as a lawn alternative. It stays green with minimal water, produces clusters of delicate white and pale pink flowers from spring through fall, and attracts a wide variety of pollinators, including butterflies. It is also mowable, allowing you to maintain a more traditional lawn look if desired, while still enjoying a vibrant, low-maintenance landscape.
Soil Type: Any PH, Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky • Sun: Full, Part-Shade • Water Use: Low • USDA Zones: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
California Meadow Sedge
Carex pansa
This is a great option for those who want that lush meadow look with lovely mounds that create a lot of visual interest. It grows best in well-drained soil in an area that would only have light foot traffic.
Soil Type: Neutral PH, Sandy, Clay, Loam • Sun: Full • Water Use: Medium • USDA Zones: 8, 9, 10, 11
California Native Fescue
Festuca Californica
California Native Fescue creates a soft, flowing landscape with fine-textured blades that move beautifully in the breeze. This cool-season native bunchgrass forms tidy clumps rather than spreading aggressively, making it ideal for naturalistic lawns, borders, and low-water landscapes. Drought-tolerant once established and adaptable to sun or light shade, it offers a serene, meadow feel with minimal maintenance and year-round texture.
Soil Type: Neutral Acidic, Loam, Sandy • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade • Water Use: Low, Medium • USDA Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Common Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
A favorite of bees and butterflies, yarrow’s clusters of white flowers rise above dark green, feathery leaves, creating one of summer’s most beautiful sights. This plant also shares a long history with humans and has been used medicinally by cultures around the world, with traces even found in Neanderthal burial sites. Drought tolerant, fast growing, and fire resistant, yarrow makes an excellent ground cover and is a perfect choice for anyone seeking a wild meadow look with minimal effort and resource use.
Soil Type: Neutral PH, Sandy, Loam, Rocky • Sun: Full, Part-Shade • Water Use: Very Low • USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Creeping Red Fescue
Festuca rubra
With its deep root system, Red Fescue makes for an excellent addition to areas that are prone to erosion, on a slope, or recently disturbed. It is a hardy plant that can withstand lots of foot traffic, so a perfect choice for those who want their lawns for recreation.
Soil Type: Acidic PH, Sandy, Loam • Sun: Full, Half, Shade • Water Use: Medium • USDA Zones: 8, 9, 10
Creeping Wild Rye
Leymus triticoides ‘Lagunita’
A low-growing, evergreen California native grass that spreads to form a dense, no-mow groundcover. It thrives in both wet and dry conditions, making it perfect for rain gardens, slopes, or erosion-prone areas. With minimal watering and occasional trimming, it creates a lush, green carpet that supports local wildlife and adds texture and movement to your landscape.
Soil Type: Neutral PH, Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky • Sun: Full, Part-Shade • Water Use: Low • USDA Zones: 8, 9, 10
Foothill Sedge
Carex tumulicola
Foothill Sedge (Carex tumulicola) forms soft, arching clumps of fine, evergreen grass-like foliage that create a natural, meadow-like feel. It thrives in both full sun and part shade, tolerates seasonal dryness once established, and can be mowed occasionally or left to grow naturally. This low-maintenance sedge is ideal for lawns, woodland edges, or erosion control, providing texture, movement, and year-round greenery.
Soil Type: Neural PH, Sandy, Loam, Gravelly • Sun: Full, Part Shade • Water Use: Medium • USDA Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Native Bentgrass
Agrostis pallens
Native Bentgrass is perfect for those who still want that lawn look with the added benefits of reduced water use (about 50% less!) and rebuilding our local ecosystems. It can be mowed or not, depending on if you want a more manicured or meadow look.
Soil Type: Neutral PH, Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky • Sun: Full, Partial • Water Use: Medium • USDA Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Silver Carpet
Dymondia margaretae
Silver Carpet forms a dense, silvery mat just a few inches tall, perfect for creating a clean, drought-wise lawn. Tiny yellow daisy-like flowers bloom in the summer, attracting pollinators and adding seasonal interest. Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established and able to tolerate light foot traffic, it works beautifully between pavers, in rock gardens, or as a soft, walkable groundcover that requires minimal mowing.
Soil Type: Neutral PH, Sandy, Loam • Sun: Full, Part Shade • Water Use: Low • USDA Zones: 9, 10, 11
Texas Sedge
Carex texensis
Another beautiful sedge, this one is especially well-suited for drier areas, as it thrives with minimal water. While it is not originally native to California, it integrates nicely into our landscape and has found a comfortable place in our gardens. We generally recommend choosing native sedges first, but for particularly dry spaces, this can be a practical and attractive alternative.
Soil Type: Neutral PH, Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky • Sun: Full, Part-Shade • Water Use: Very Low • USDA Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Western Meadow Sedge
Carex praegracilis
This sedge is an excellent choice for areas that struggle with soil erosion. It thrives in wetter environments, making it ideal for locations near marshland, forest edges, or spaces that tend to stay a bit waterlogged. Like other sedges, it features lovely long blades that can appear windswept and dramatic or be neatly mowed. It also tolerates foot traffic, making it both visually appealing and practical.
Soil Type: Neutral PH, Sandy, Loam, Rocky • Sun: Full, Part-Shade • Water Use: Medium • USDA Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Wild Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Looking for something unique? Something edible? Woodland Strawberry makes a charming, low-growing alternative to traditional lawns. It forms a dense, green carpet that spreads naturally, producing delicate white flowers in spring and small, sweet berries in early summer. Drought-tolerant once established and shade-friendly, it’s perfect for creating a lush, edible, and pollinator-friendly lawn that requires less mowing and supports local wildlife.
Soil Type: Acidic to Neutral, Loam, Sandy • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade • Water Use: Medium • USDA Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
