Lawn Replacement for Texas

Low, spreading natives — and true native turf grasses — that cover ground, take some foot traffic, and let you kill the thirsty lawn.

4 plants

← All Texas plants

Buffalograss

Bouteloua dactyloides

North America's true native turf grass — a fine, soft, blue-green sod that forms a low lawn on a fraction of the water Bermuda or St.

Full sun Low water Deer-resistant

Cedar Sedge

Carex planostachys

A fine, arching native sedge that forms a soft green carpet in the dry shade beneath cedars and oaks — one of the very few things that will grow, and hold soil, there..

Shade Low water Deer-resistant

Frogfruit

Phyla nodiflora

A flat, spreading mat that takes light foot traffic and blooms with tiny pollinator flowers — the leading native lawn substitute for sun to part shade in Texas..

Full sun Moderate water Deer-resistant

Horseherb

Calyptocarpus vialis

A soft, low groundcover that quietly replaces lawn in the shade where turf fails, threading tiny yellow flowers through its foliage for pollinators nearly year-round..

Part shade Low water Deer-resistant

Choosing lawn replacement for Texas

These 4 species are all native to Texas and suited to this use. Because they belong to the local climate, they'll do the job with far less water and care than the non-native alternatives usually sold for it. Open any plant for full growing details, or use the finder to narrow further by sun, size, and bloom.