Drought-Tolerant Groundcovers That Beat Thirsty Turf
Patricia Sanders — May 27, 2026
Replace problem strips of grass with groundcovers that handle heat, slopes, and light foot traffic.
Not every strip of lawn wants to be lawn. Hot parkways, slopes, and dry shade often look better planted with groundcovers that need less water once established.
Choose by sun exposure and traffic. Some groundcovers tolerate occasional footsteps; others are display-only. Pair them with mulch during establishment and weed diligently the first season so they can knit together.
Groundcovers are a core tool in water-wise design — especially when you are reducing turf without defaulting to empty gravel.
Topic: Landscaping