Having a beautiful, lush lawn is likely high on many people's list of things to have for their home, but unfortunately, costs tend to run high when you factor everything into keeping it in tip top condition. From the grass or sod itself, to water usage, to maintenance with mowing weed whacking, to the use of fertilizers and other pesticides, there are a lot of elements to factor in when keeping up with a lawn. If keeping up with a real lawn seems too demanding, or just doesn't make sense with your financial means, here are some tips for high quality alternatives to the real grass.

If you still want the look of a traditional lawn, without the use of real grass, there are a few different option that can still provide you with the natural aesthetics of a standard lawn. One of the more popular options today is to go for some kind of moss. This plant functions very much like regular grass, as you walk on it, and treat it as a typical grass. The biggest benefits of having this type of plant as your alternative is that you will not have to mow it. Unfortunately, moss is not nearly as strong as grass, so if it is in a high traffic area, it is very likely to be torn up in a short amount of time.

If you want an option that looks more like an actual grass, lilyturf and sedge are both outstanding options as they move and feel like real grass or sod does. While they do typically grow much higher and need more timely maintenance if you wish to keep them at a shorter height, both options will have a great look to them whether they are mowed or not. On one hand, sedge grows more in patches, but their patches can merge together for a more seamless look and can grow in virtually any kind of ground. As another popular option, lilyturf grows with very tall, darker leaves that very much resemble real grass, making them an outstanding alternative. While it is not as strong and typically requires a lot of water to stay green and healthy, this is an excellent choice if you are looking for something to sub in.

A final option for a great alternative is by going with some kind of prairie grass, such as prairie meadows. These long, wispy grasses combine a natural look, with the combination of beautiful flowers to provide you with one of the most aesthetic looking grasses out there, and one of the easiest to maintain as it requires the least amount of water.

In this comprehensive article from lawnstarter.com, there is a thorough discussion of lawn alternatives. Check it out here.