8 Low Maintenance Landscaping Ideas That Still Feel Lush

Let’s face it; not everyone enjoys spending their time pulling winter weeds, trimming hedges, constantly watering their garden, or lots of money on their lawns. However, a lush, beautiful yard doesn’t have to mean hours of expensive upkeep. With the right lawn care tips, you can achieve a low maintenance landscaping design that looks lush and inviting all year long.

Whether you’re tending a lawn in your Raleigh, NC home, maintaining a mini garden in your San Diego, CA apartment, or sprucing up your landscaping in an Atlanta, GA rental, these low maintenance landscaping ideas from professionals will keep your yard looking fresh without the hassle.

1. Choose native plants for effortless beauty

Instead of constantly tending to high-maintenance plants, opt for native species that naturally thrive in your area.

Byron Martinez of Pyramid Lawn & Tree Services in Jacksonville, FL explains, “Incorporating native plants into your landscape design not only enhances the natural beauty of your outdoor space but also reduces maintenance needs. Native species thrive in their local climate, requiring less water, fertilizer, and upkeep while supporting local wildlife.” 

Madison Downs from Moultonborough, NH-based Stephen Landscaping Professionals agrees. “Native plants create a harmonious landscape by naturally blending with the local ecosystem, supporting wildlife, and thriving in the existing climate and soil conditions.”

For added visual interest, Scott Parker of Parker Landscape Design, located in Warren, NJ, recommends plants that change color throughout the seasons, such as Endless Summer Hydrangea and Little Henry Sweetspire. He notes,  “Utilizing plantings that change appearance throughout the seasons can give your landscape pops of color and offer an ‘ever-changing’ aesthetic boost.”

Native plants are also beneficial to the environment. Jim Kleinwachter from The Conservation Foundation adds, “Many native plants of the region you live in can provide food for birds and pollinators, soak up rainwater, and be long-lived, beautiful, and sustainable with very little care.”

2. Automate watering with smart irrigation

Keeping plants hydrated doesn’t have to be a chore. Shanna Greathouse from Pigybak, a home improvement platform, suggests installing a drip irrigation system. “Drip irrigation keeps your plants happy without the hassle, delivering just the right amount of water while cutting waste.” She also recommends adding solar-powered landscape lighting for an energy-efficient way to brighten up your space.

3. Use hardscaping for a low-upkeep foundation

Hardscaping refers to the non-living elements of landscaping, such as stone pathways, pavers, retaining walls, and decorative rocks and boulders. They can dramatically reduce maintenance and enhance the aesthetic appeal of outdoor spaces. 

Erik Mesikapp from Aggregate Markets, a landscaping and construction materials vendor, highlights the benefits of decorative stone. “Decorative stone is a stylish, low-maintenance alternative to mulch that doesn’t need regular replacement. This is perfect for pathways and garden borders while adding texture and sophistication to any landscape.”

Kira Mettler of Eli’s Paver Patios in Olympia, WA suggests using high-quality pavers with polymeric sand between the joints to prevent weeds. “Choose high-quality, durable pavers in neutral tones for a timeless look. Use polymeric sand between the joints to prevent weeds and seal the pavers to enhance their color and protect against stains.”

Lastly, Ulicer Villatoro, owner of Elion Landscaping & Tree Service located in Moore, OK recommends replacing traditional lawns with hardscaping features like gravel paths or modern pavers. He explains, “To create a beautiful, low-maintenance outdoor space, we replace our lawn with hardscaping features like gravel paths or modern style pavers, which require minimal upkeep and allow for better water drainage.”

To complete the look, Villatoro suggests, “Add larger planting beds with a mix of evergreen shrubs, ornamental grasses, and ground covers that create a lush, attractive landscape.”

4. Incorporate ornamental grasses

Ornamental grasses are low-maintenance plants that add texture, movement, and visual interest to a yard. They vary in height, colors, and don’t require constant upkeep, making them perfect for landscaping.

Joshua Hastings from Coastal Hardscapes in Savannah, GA recommends them for homeowners looking for easy-care plants. “Ornamental grasses are both sun and drought resistant, making them very hardy in the hot summer months. Most ornamental grasses simply require one pruning per year in the fall.”

Erik Mesikapp adds, “Tall ornamental grasses bring movement and structure to a landscape while requiring little maintenance—no frequent mowing, drought-resistant, and naturally enhancing biodiversity.” Pairing these with a decorative gravel pathway adds both function and style.

5. Mulch and ground covers: set it and forget it

Mulch plays a huge role in low maintenance landscaping by retaining moisture and reducing weeds.

Erik Mesikapp notes, “Using colored mulch not only helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds but also adds a vibrant, long-lasting pop of color to garden beds, creating a polished look with minimal upkeep.”

For an even lower-maintenance option, real estate broker Christopher Brown suggests ground covers like creeping thyme. “Try layering evergreens with flowering perennials and ground cover like creeping thyme or other native low-growing plants. Mix in potted plants and hardscape elements for a rich, dynamic look which also requires minimal upkeep.”

6. Use artificial turf for a year-round green lawn

If you love the look of a green lawn but don’t want to deal with mowing and watering, artificial turf is an excellent choice. The team at The Turf Yard in Mesa, AZ says, “Artificial turf saves water and is easy to maintain and is always ready to go with any activity. It checks all the boxes.”

Tag Broaderip of Eclipse Landscaping & Design located in Scottsdale, AZ also highlights that synthetic turf is especially beneficial in dry climates where water is scarce. He adds, “Switching to synthetic turf reduces water usage, lowers maintenance costs, and keeps your lawn looking green year-round.”

7. Sustainable practices for a low-maintenance, eco-friendly yard

If you’re looking to create a sustainable low maintenance landscaping plan, gardening and recipe blogger Halli of East Fork Growing suggests the paper-and-compost method. “Roll out unbleached paper directly on the soil and cover with bulk compost to create a decomposing weed barrier. This technique naturally enriches your soil ecosystem while minimizing watering needs and weed competition.”

Design Director Michelle of Flourish Design, a landscaping design company in Cincinnati, OH, also emphasizes thoughtful planning. “Choose native or adaptive species that naturally thrive in your region while complementing your home’s architectural style. Design planting beds to achieve full coverage at maturity, which naturally suppresses weeds.”

Wilmington, DE-based landscaping service Old County Gardens explains the importance of pollinator-friendly and sustainable choices, recommending native flowering plants like bee balm, butterfly weed, and Joe-Pye weed. “These plants attract pollinators and thrive with little intervention. Combining these with stone pathways or mulch beds reduces the need for mowing and watering while keeping the landscape inviting.”

8. Achieving a lush look with minimal effort

While some people associate luxury landscaping with high maintenance, landscaping coach Matt Foster of Yard Coach explains that it’s all about smart plant choices. “Achieving a lush feel in the low maintenance landscaping arena is met by using container planting that lasts one season, bursting full of color, leaf size, and contrasting leaf colors and shapes.”

For a unique touch, Quinten from Q & A Landscaping located in Pittsburgh, PA recommends boulder arrangements. “A cluster of these large natural stones below a tree or to break up the slope on a hillside can be functional and aesthetically pleasing. And the best part is, they don’t require any maintenance or watering.”

Low-maintenance landscaping: final thoughts

Creating a lush, low maintenance landscaping design is all about choosing the right plants, incorporating hardscaping, and using efficient watering techniques. With expert-approved strategies like these, you can get your yard ready for spring.

Whether you go for a rock garden, artificial turf, or a mix of ground covers and mulch, the key is to design with sustainability and ease in mind. This way, you can spend more time enjoying your yard and less time working on it.