What would be better than a lush green lawn that you have to mow every Saturday and spend time and money weeding, feeding and watering? A lush green lawn that smells amazing and never needs mowing, that’s what!
These 5 scented lawn substitutes provide a green lawn that can stand up to foot traffic, requires minimal care and is long-lasting. Give some of these scented lawn substitutes a try instead of planting grass in your landscape.
Chamomile
An excellent perennial creeping ground cover that will quickly fill in the empty landscape space. Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) creates a dense mat along the ground and produces feathery leaves and tiny daisy-like yellow flowers. Plant seeds in the spring and use leaves to make a soothing tea.
Chamomile grows best in partial shade and dry soil. This scented ground cover is drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and doesn’t need to be fertilized.
Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) is an evergreen ground cover that will create a thick, dense mat. The plant is fast-growing and edible.
The plant stands up well to heavy foot traffic and is great for use in an outdoor kid’s play areas. Creeping thyme is not particular about its planting location and will grow equally well in full sun, full shade or anything in-between. The plant produces fragrant purple flowers that release their fragrance when crushed.
Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a herb in the mint family and makes a great lawn substitute. The plant produces pale purple flowers and a fresh mint scent.
Plant seeds on top of soil in spring and keep area moist to promote germination. Grow pennyroyal in full sun in poor soil for best results.
Creeping Phlox
This scented lawn substitute will produce a carpet of tiny fragrant purple flowers in the spring and will grow in rocky soil conditions where other plants refuse to grow.
Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a semi-evergreen ground cover that needs minimal care. Water during times of drought and apply fertilizer once in the spring. Plant seeds in a full sun location in rocky soil for best results.
Sweet Woodruff
This herb is well known for its fragrance that is often used in air fresheners and the plant makes a great scented lawn substitute. Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) makes an ideal ground cover for shady areas.
The plant grows best in moist soil and will produce star-shaped leaves and tiny white blooms. Plant seeds in early spring and add plenty of compost to the area.
You might be interested in my other post “How to get rid of weeds with Organic Mulching?”Please read on here.