Jim Fucetola, founder and president of Earthwise Seed, speaks to the alternative lawn trend.
By Theresa Clement, Men’s Journal
Published April 22nd, 2026
Grass may seem like an obvious choice for a yard covering but it’s actually a modern-ish norm. The idea of a domestic manicured grass lawn was imported in the early 18th century from France and England, and until Elwood McGuire’s push lawn mower was available to the public in 1870, grass was painstakingly hand-cut or patiently animal-grazed to achieve a perfectly trimmed lawn. A neatly cut grass lawn was essentially a way for the super rich—like Thomas Jefferson—to flex their wealth.
These days many homeowners are questioning the necessity of grass, and have been looking at the low-growing green perennial clover as a more sustainable and easier-to-maintain option. “Clover lawns can be beautiful when in flower and great are for pollinating insects and providing seeds for birds,” says Amanda Bratcher, horticulture agent, NC Cooperative Extension with the Lee County Center. She adds that “a clover lawn is a good idea when you do not want traditional turf types, like tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass or bermudagrass.” If the maintenance of turf grass (and the water it requires in your climate) are becoming a pain, clover could make your life a lot easier.
“Clover is a great alternative to grass for a few reasons. It’s green, it’s hearty, and looks great,” says Jackie Lynch, founder & writer of xoxojackie, a blog where she documents DIY projects and plant care. She recently switched to a clover lawn and says that “as clover grows it creates a soft, attractive ground cover that looks great year-round with little effort. I love the natural, lush look of my lawn with clover.”
Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of a clover lawn vs. a grass lawn and learn how to successfully grow the right varietal of clover that will thrive in your yard.
Why Are People Replacing Grass With Clover?
When a homeowner switches from grass to clover, there are a range of motivators. Some switch because there are water restrictions and grass requires frequent watering while clover can mostly thrive with just regular rainfall. Others switch to clovers because they are tired of lawn mowing and the time and expense associated with maintaining a manicured lawn.
A clover lawn makes the most sense when you’re trying to work with your environment instead of constantly fighting it. If you’re dealing with poor or compacted soil, inconsistent rainfall, or you simply want to reduce inputs like fertilizer and irrigation, clover is a strong fit.
Clover naturally improves nitrogen, so it helps soil over time rather than depleting it. It also stays greener longer in heat compared to many traditional turf grasses.
That said, it performs best in areas with moderate foot traffic and full sun to partial shade but struggles in dense shade. In heavy shade or high-traffic zones, a mixed lawn combining clover with durable grasses, is usually the better long-term solution,” says Jim Fucetola, president of Earthwise Seed and Moss Acres.
Since clover doesn’t require gas-powered or electric-powered tools, extra water, and time, clover is attractive to many who value sustainability. And then there are those who just want a green lawn, and their lawn may be brown more often than they’d like if it’s shaded and has a lot of competition from trees for sunshine and water.
Read the full article here.
