If you’re looking to improve your garden and make your outdoor space thrive, moving certain plants away from the crowded lawn can make a big difference. Sometimes plants just need a bit more space or different conditions to really flourish.
This article shares 15 plants that, once relocated, grew healthier and made the whole garden feel more vibrant. You’ll get ideas on how changing their spot might help your garden too.
Creeping Thyme
If you’re tired of regular grass, creeping thyme is a cool alternative. It’s drought-tolerant and doesn’t need much care once it’s settled in.
You don’t have to dig up your whole lawn to plant it—just drop some seeds and watch it spread naturally. It also helps keep weeds down, but it takes about three years to form a nice, dense cover.
Keep in mind, it usually lasts around 3-5 years before getting sparse or needing some refresh.
Daylilies
If you move daylilies away from your lawn, you’ll notice how hardy they are. They don’t need much care and bounce back every year, even if you mow near them.
Feeding them with a high nitrogen fertilizer can help boost their blooms. Plus, they come in a lot of colors, making your garden pop without much hassle.
They spread underground, so once they settle in a spot, they’ll keep growing and filling in. Check out more tips on how to care for daylilies here.
Liriope
If you’ve struggled with Liriope, you’re not alone. It spreads quickly, especially the solid green variety, which can take over your lawn if you’re not careful.
Moving it away from the main grass area can give your other plants more room to grow. Just make sure it gets some shade and moisture since it does well in damp, shady spots.
Cutting it back in early spring before new shoots appear keeps it tidy and under control. For tips on managing Liriope, check this discussion on cutting back Liriope.
Ajuga (Bugleweed)
If you want a low-maintenance ground cover, Ajuga is a solid pick. It forms a dense carpet that keeps weeds at bay and looks good with its colorful, glossy leaves.
You can plant it in tricky spots where other plants might struggle, even under trees. It spreads easily, so dividing it helps you control where it grows while filling bare patches in your yard.
For more details on Ajuga care and growth, check out this Ajuga Bugleweed ground cover guide.
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum is a low-maintenance succulent that fits great outside the lawn. You’ll appreciate its fleshy leaves and nectar-rich flowers that attract pollinators.
It thrives in poor soil and handles heat and drought once it’s established. This makes it perfect if you want a plant that doesn’t need much fuss.
Try the popular ‘Autumn Joy’ variety for a spreading plant that pairs well with grasses and other perennials. Sedum can easily fill in bare spots and add texture to your garden.
For more details, check out how to grow sedums
Hostas
If you move hostas away from the lawn, you’ll notice they really thrive in the shade. They’re tough perennials that need little fuss once settled.
Just keep their roots moist, especially if you ever take them out of the ground. Dividing the roots before planting helps them grow better.
Hostas show off their big, leafy foliage best in shady spots where grass often struggles. You’ll get a fuller, healthier plant this way. For more, check this hosta advice.
Cranesbill Geraniums
If you’re looking to move something away from the lawn, cranesbill geraniums are a solid pick. They handle both sun and shade pretty well, and they don’t need super rich soil to thrive.
These plants are tough and low-maintenance, so you don’t have to worry about them wilting in hot sun if you keep an eye on watering. You’ll find they spread nicely and add color without taking over your space. Check out some popular varieties to mix things up here.
Japanese Forest Grass
If you want something low-maintenance, Japanese Forest Grass is a solid pick. It thrives in shady spots but can handle some sun, especially the all-gold variety, which adds a bright pop of color to your garden.
You’ll need to keep it watered, especially the first year, to help it settle in. Once established, it creates a lovely, soft mound that’s great for replacing parts of your lawn. Learn more about growing Hakonechloa from this guide to Japanese Forest Grass.
Baptisia
If you move Baptisia away from your lawn, it can really change how your garden looks. This plant is tough and doesn’t mind poor soil, so it thrives in spots where grass usually struggles.
You’ll enjoy its tall, colorful flowers that attract pollinators. Just make sure you transplant it carefully at the right time for the best results, as recommended for moving Baptisia plants.
Lavender
If you move lavender away from the lawn, it often does better because it prefers well-drained soil and full sun. You don’t want soggy roots or crowded roots, so giving it space helps it thrive.
Lavender is pretty hardy and can even survive cold winters if it’s happy where it’s planted. Pair it with plants like rosemary or yarrow for a natural, low-maintenance garden setup you’ll enjoy.
Russian Sage
If you move Russian sage away from your lawn, you’ll find it thrives in sunny spots with well-drained, gritty soil. It handles dry conditions well, so it doesn’t need much fuss once established.
Cut the stems back by about two-thirds in early spring before new growth starts. This helps keep it healthy and full. For best results, plant it when the soil is warm in early spring or late fall.
Learn more about growing Russian sage on American Meadows.
Society Garlic
If you want a low-maintenance plant that smells great, society garlic is a solid choice. It’s not true garlic but has a similar scent and even some edible parts you can use.
You’ll like how it attracts pollinators and helps keep pests away naturally. Plus, it’s evergreen and deer resistant, so it stays green and tough in many conditions.
It’s easy to divide when it gets crowded, making it great for spreading around your garden. Learn more about growing society garlic here.
Sedum Spurium
Sedum spurium is a low-maintenance succulent that thrives in sunny spots. You’ll appreciate how it handles tough conditions, including cold weather.
It prefers well-drained, gritty soil, so it’s great if your lawn area tends to stay dry. This plant spreads nicely, creating a lush, ground-cover effect without much fuss.
If you want to move something away from the lawn but still keep things looking full, Sedum spurium is a solid choice. Learn more about it here.
Golden Creeping Jenny
If you move Golden Creeping Jenny away from your lawn, you’ll notice it loves moist soil. It works great near ponds or in shady spots where it trails nicely.
Just watch out—it can spread fast and get a bit invasive if unchecked. But if you keep an eye on it, you can easily pull back unwanted runners to keep it under control.
It also blooms on and off from early summer through fall, adding a splash of color. For more details, check out this Golden Creeping Jenny overview.
Fern varieties
If you want easy-to-care-for plants, ferns are a great pick. They usually like shady, moist spots and don’t need much fuss.
You’ll find many types, like netted chainfern or Woodwardia, that grow well over time. Some ferns do better indoors, while others thrive outside.
Check out this list of top fern plants for your garden to find ones that fit your space and care style.