Planting Tips

Creating a lawn alternative with native plants

Mat-forming native plants are a low-maintenance and visually appealing alternative to traditional lawns or paved areas. They provide texture and colour through foliage, and many produce vibrant berries and seed heads. These plants require little to no mowing, so there are no clippings to manage, and with minimal care they make an excellent substitute for turf lawns. A variety of species are suited to different conditions, including varying levels of foot traffic, rainfall, and sunlight.

If your lawn browns or dies back in summer, mat-forming native plants offer a hardy, green alternative that stays attractive year-round with minimal maintenance.

Species Foot Traffic
Acaena inermis Light to Moderate
Blechnum penna-marina Light
Leptinella dioica Moderate
Leptinella minor Light
Leptinella ‘ Platts Black’ Light to Moderate
Lobeilia angulata Moderate to Heavy
Lobeilia macrodon Moderate
Selliera radicans Moderate to Heavy
Species Foot Traffic
Acaena inermis Light to Moderate
Blechnum penna-marina Light to Moderate
Leptinella calcarea Moderate
Leptinella ‘Platts Black’ Moderate
Leptinella serrulata Light to Moderate
Lobeilia macrodon Moderate to Heavy
Muehlenbeckia axillaris Heavy
Raoulia tenuicaulis Moderate
Species Foot Traffic
Acaena inermis Light to Moderate
Leptinella ‘Platts Black’ Light to Moderate
Leptinella serrulata Light to Moderate
Leptinella squalida ssp. squalida Moderate
Lobeilia angulata Moderate
Lobeilia macrodon Moderate to Heavy
Sellieria radicans Moderate to Heavy
Species Foot Traffic
Leptinella ‘Platts Black’ Moderate
Lobeilia macrodon Moderate to Heavy
Muehlenbeckia axillaris Heavy
Creating a lawn alternative tip