Ditch the Grass: 3 Beautiful & Low-Maintenance Ground Covers
If you’re tired of mowing, watering, and fertilizing a high-maintenance lawn, it’s time to rethink your ground cover! Instead of traditional turf grass, why not plant something low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and pollinator-friendly?
At Terah Gardens, we love using perennial ground covers that not only look great but also improve the soil, attract beneficial insects, and require far less work than grass. Three of our favorite options for Florida are:
Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata) Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Let’s dig into why these powerhouse ground covers are perfect for a sustainable landscape! 
Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata) – The Tough & Beautiful Carpet
Why We Love It:
Perennial peanut is a stunning, low-growing ground cover that thrives in Florida’s heat. It’s a legume, which means it fixes nitrogen into the soil, making it an excellent choice for improving soil fertility. It’s often used as a no-mow lawn alternative or as a living mulch under fruit trees.
Benefits:
✔ Drought-tolerant – Once established, it rarely needs watering.
✔ Weed-suppressing – Forms a thick mat, shading out weeds.
✔ Bright yellow blooms – Adds a pop of color year-round.
✔ No mowing required!
How to Grow:
- Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
- Prefers well-drained soil but is adaptable.
- Can be planted using rhizomes or sod.
🌿 Perfect for: Replacing grass, pathways, and orchard ground cover.
Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) – The Pollinator Magnet
Why We Love It:
This fast-spreading native ground cover features delicate fern-like leaves that fold up when touched (fun for kids and plant lovers alike!). It produces pink, puffball flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Benefits:
✔ Native to Florida – Supports local ecosystems.
✔ Attracts pollinators – A favorite of bees and butterflies.
✔ Fast-growing & low-maintenance – Quickly fills in bare spots.
✔ Soft and walkable – Great for pathways and between pavers.
How to Grow:
- Prefers full sun to partial shade.
- Grows well in sandy or poor soils.
- Propagates easily from cuttings or seeds.
🌿 Perfect for: Pollinator gardens, erosion control, and walkable green spaces.
Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) – The Ultimate Butterfly Host Plant
Why We Love It:
Frogfruit is a Florida-native ground cover that is incredibly tough and wildlife-friendly. It’s a host plant for several butterfly species, including the White Peacock, Phaon Crescent, and Common Buckeye butterflies. This resilient plant spreads quickly and can even handle occasional foot traffic.
Benefits:
Thrives in dry or wet conditions – Extremely adaptable. Butterfly host plant – Essential for native pollinators. Walkable & soft – Works well in garden paths. Grows in full sun or partial shade.
How to Grow:
- Grows in full sun to partial shade.
- Tolerates poor, sandy, or compacted soils.
- Spreads via runners, making it easy to propagate.
🌿 Perfect for: Butterfly gardens, pathways, and erosion control.
Which Ground Cover is Right for You?
| Ground Cover | Best Features | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Perennial Peanut | No mowing, weed-suppressing, drought-tolerant | Lawn replacement, under fruit trees |
| 🌸 Sunshine Mimosa | Fast-growing, pollinator-friendly, soft & walkable | Between pavers, erosion control, pathways |
| 🐝 Frogfruit | Butterfly host plant, tough & adaptable, walkable | Pollinator gardens, ground cover for tough spots |
Why Choose a Living Ground Cover?
Switching to perennial ground covers instead of traditional grass:
✅ Saves water 💧 – No need for constant irrigation.
✅ Reduces mowing ✂ – Less maintenance, more free time!
✅ Improves soil health 🌱 – Natural nitrogen fixers enrich the soil.
✅ Supports wildlife 🦋 – Essential for butterflies, bees, and birds.
🌿 Ready to transform your landscape? Start small—replace a section of your lawn with perennial peanut, sunshine mimosa, or frogfruit and see the magic happen!
Want to learn more about sustainable gardening and permaculture? Follow @TerahGardens on IG, Facebook & TikTok for more tips on growing a beautiful, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly landscape! 🌎💚✨