top of page
Search

30 Ideas for Lazy Landscaping

  • Writer: Staff Desk
    Staff Desk
  • 9 hours ago
  • 5 min read

Simple gardening, or easy landscaping, is a way to make garden care easier by using clever ideas and designs that require less work. The goal is to set up a garden that needs very little maintenance later on, such as weeding, watering, and fertilizing. This means picking plants that are easy to care for and using methods like planting closely together and adding mulch to keep weeds down and hold moisture.


Who would not like to have a lazy landscaping? Here are some great ideas for you to explore and see.


  1. Replace Lawn With Gravel or Stone Beds


Garden scene with purple hydrangeas and green plants in a raised bed. Wooden bench with purple cushions, log stack, and gravel path. Tranquil setting.

Tired of mowing and watering? Consider swapping part (or all) of your grass for gravel, crushed stone, or flagstone. These options require almost no watering and free you from the hassle of mowing.


Benefits of Stone Beds

  • Low maintenance: Stone beds need minimal upkeep.

  • Water-saving: They require little to no watering.

  • Easy to install: Simple to set up in your yard.



Stone path with curved gravel and brick borders, surrounded by colorful flower beds and green shrubs in a sunny garden setting.

According to landscaping advice, using stone beds is a smart “lazy” choice that can make your outdoor space easier to manage.


  1. Use No-Mow Ground Covers Instead of Traditional Turf


Ground cover plants can help you reduce the need for lawn care. Options like creeping thyme, low-growing clover, or mondo grass can create a beautiful green area that requires little maintenance. Gardening Know How recommends these plants for areas of your garden where you want to relax and not put in much effort.


White house beside a lush yard with blooming daisies and shrubs. Blue sky and power lines in the background, creating a serene scene.

Lush garden with vibrant green grass, purple flower bed, and a large stone. Colorful shrubs and trees create a serene, vibrant scene.

  1. Choose Native, Low-Maintenance Plants


Curved stone path through a vibrant garden with colorful flowers and lush greenery, bordered by a black metal fence and trees in the background.

Pick plants that already thrive in your region. Because native species adapt to your climate and soil, they require less watering, fewer chemicals, and minimal fuss. Bob Vila’s list of lazy landscaping tips recommends this as a key move.


  1. Plant Ornamental Grasses That Look Good Year Round


Ornamental grasses offer texture, movement and low-care appeal. Many are drought tolerant and only need an occasional trim. Bob Vila calls them perfect for the “lazy gardener” looking for seasonal interest without constant work.


5 ornamental grasses: Pink Muhly, Pampas, Adagio Maiden, Purple Fountain, Karl Foerster. Text: 5 low-maintenance ornamental grasses.

Tall grasses and shrubs line a concrete pathway beside a stone wall, with sunlight casting shadows, creating a serene garden ambiance.

  1. Use Artificial Turf for a “Forever-Green” Lawn


If you’re ready to ditch mowing entirely, consider synthetic grass. It looks like real lawn but doesn’t need water, mowing or fertilizing. Bob Vila highlights this as a viable but pricier “lazy landscaping” solution.


Garden scene with vibrant yellow and pink flowers, lush greenery, a stone water fountain, and a path of white stepping stones on green grass.

Sunny backyard with lush green grass, surrounded by trees and plants. Wooden structure in foreground. Peaceful, natural setting.

6. Install a Simple Drip-Irrigation or Timer System



Rows of young plants on red soil with black irrigation tubing, and a close-up of a yellow flower near wet soil and a dripping tube.

Watering by hand is a chore. A drip irrigation kit or automated timer ensures plants get what they need (and you don’t have to think about it). One Reddit gardener says:

“Drip irrigation on a timer saves soooo much work… win-win.”

  1. Use Wide-Spaced, Simple Hardscaping (Patios, Paths)

Small brick patio with a round metal table and two chairs. Flowering bushes and potted plants surround the space; a wooden fence in the background.

One of the easiest yard upgrades: add a patio or path with minimal plant beds around it. With less turf and fewer beds, you spend far less time mowing and weeding. Planet Natural’s “lazy landscaping” article includes gravel paths as a smart choice.


  1. Use Mulch Heavily Around Beds to Suppress Weeds



Garden bed with four blue pots in soil, yellow plants, and flowers being planted. Brick porch with bench in background under sunny sky.

Mulch is the unsung hero for lazy landscaping. It suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture and cuts down on weeding time dramatically. Remodelaholic’s list of tips emphasizes this.


  1. Create Container Gardens Instead of Expensive Flower Beds


Pots of colorful flowers, including pink, white, and yellow blooms, arranged on a wooden deck. A vibrant, lush garden backdrop.

Want color without the constant bed work? Use pots and planters — you can move them, replace easily, and only focus on a few plants instead of endless beds. Remodelaholic points this out as an easy win.


  1. Plant Self-Cleaning Roses or Blooming Shrubs


Bright pink roses in full bloom with lush green leaves, set against a brick wall and window backdrop, creating a vibrant spring scene.

Choose shrubs and roses that require minimal upkeep — like “self-cleaning” roses (they resist pests and don’t need constant dead-heading). Bob Vila covers this tip for low-effort color.


  1. Build Raised Beds for Minimal Bending


Sunny garden with raised wooden planters full of colorful plants beside a white shed and lattice fence. Lush greenery surrounds the area.


Wooden planter box with soil and plants, flanked by two hanging baskets. Set in a green garden against a brick and blue house wall.

Raised beds keep things tidy, reduce the need for bending and weeding, and can be lined with fabric. This means less strain and less maintenance overall.


  1. Simplify Plant Palette — Few Species, Many Repeats

Lush garden with vibrant flowers, shrubs, and a wooden archway. Green lawn, colorful blooms, and a cozy house in the background.

Using just a few types of plants throughout creates a cohesive look and means you become familiar with their care. Bob Vila suggests repeating plants as a “lazy gardener’s trick.


  1. Use Dew or Shade-Loving Plants in Shady Spots


Lush green hostas and ferns border a brick pathway beside a dark green wall. The vivid colors create a serene garden scene.

ree

  1. Create a Dedicated Seating/Relaxation Zone


Cozy backyard with a patio table set for dining, surrounded by green plants and wooden furniture. Warm lights hang above, creating a serene vibe.

Make your yard about relaxing — not yard work. Install chairs, a hammock or simple patio furniture and keep the surrounding landscaping low maintenance. Remodelaholic lists this as a first step.


Cozy patio with gray sofa, orange cushions, fire pit, and lush greenery. Bright, serene atmosphere with rocky hillside and trees.

  1. Use Solar-Powered Lighting and Simple Fixtures


Row of glowing solar garden lights along a grassy path at night, emitting a warm glow. Insert shows radial light pattern on grass.

Solar garden lights illuminate green bushes with a warm glow. Black lantern-style fixtures create a cozy, serene outdoor ambiance.

Avoid complex wiring and maintenance: choose solar lights for paths and beds. They charge during the day, light up at night and cost almost nothing in upkeep.


  1. Let Some Areas Go Wild (Wildflower Patches)

Lush green garden path lined with vibrant orange and pink wildflowers, bordered by a wooden fence under a cloudy sky. Tranquil setting.

Designate part of your yard as a wild, pollinator-friendly patch. Native wildflowers need little care and offer great aesthetics plus environmental benefit. Gardening Know How recommends this for low maintenance.


Sunny garden scene with autumn-colored trees, tall grasses, and a wooden trellis. A paved path leads through the lush, vibrant foliage.

  1. Install a Dry Riverbed or Rock Garden for Drainage


Rocky garden path with diverse plants, colorful flowers, and shrubs. Natural stones line the path. Bright, lush, and serene setting.

ree

Rather than fight drainage issues, incorporate them. A dry creek or rock garden solves puddles and adds visual interest with almost no upkeep. Gardening Know How covers this.


  1. Container Trees & Shrubs for Flexible Planting


By planting trees/shrubs in containers, you avoid root battles, can reposition them and reduce garden clutter. They’re easier to maintain than beds.


ree

A stone path leads through lush greenery and trees to a brick house with arched windows. The scene is serene and verdant.

  1. Simple Privacy Screen Using Evergreen Shrubs


Well-maintained garden with colorful flowers and a small tree in front of a house. Stone accents and lush green grass create a serene vibe.
ree

Evergreens provide year-round structure and privacy with minimal trimming. Bob Vila recommends letting shrubbery grow naturally for ease.


20. Use Perennials Instead of Annuals

Lush garden with purple, pink, and white flowers, green shrubs, and a tree. Manicured lawn curves in the foreground. Peaceful and vibrant.


Perennials come back every year — so you plant once and enjoy for seasons. Garden Know How labels this among top lazy yard moves.


  1. Keep the Plant Count Low — Fewer Features = Less Work

Garden with wooden pergola, wicker chairs, and lush greenery. Sunlight and shadows create a serene, inviting atmosphere.

Cozy outdoor patio with wicker furniture, egg swing, and cushions on a wooden deck. Surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers.

Less is more. If you focus on a few strong features instead of dozens of plants, you’ll spend much less time maintaining. Bob Vila recommends “fewer trees and shrubs” for lazy yards.


  1. Use Weed-Suppressing Mulch Plus Ground Cover Combo

Black landscape fabric roll on a patch of bright green grass, with garden instructions visible on attached blue label. Dirt background.


Combine thick mulch with vigorous ground-cover plants around beds to virtually eliminate weeding. Remodelaholic mentions this combo as effective for low-maintenance yards.


  1. Opt for Shade Gardens with Lazy Plants


Lush garden with vibrant green plants, purple flowers, a large ceramic pot, and an empty metal chair on a stone path, creating a tranquil vibe.

Leave bright sun zones alone and use shade parts of your yard for plants that grow without fuss. Less sun = fewer weeds, less water, less work. Garden tabs article covers this.


  1. Use Large Pots Near Seating Areas for Easy Planting

Potted plants with vibrant yellow and orange flowers, dark purple foliage, and tall spiky leaves, placed on stone steps near green doors.

Rather than scattered flower beds, place large containers near patio or seating zones — easy to maintain and visually strong.


  1. Build Simple Pathways with Stepping Stones and Gravel

Illuminated garden with stone path and raised beds, surrounded by a wooden fence and trees. Warm lights create a serene evening mood.

Create easy access and visual structure without heavy plantings. Gravel or stone paths look great and help define your yard with low upkeep. Planet Natural includes paths as a lazy landscaping hack.


  1. Choose Drought-Tolerant Succulents and Rocks for a Sculptural Look

Desert garden with various cacti and succulents, blooming pink flowers, and a brown fence under a clear blue sky. Lush greenery surrounds.

Succulents + rocks = striking and minimal care. These plants thrive in poor soil, need little water and look amazing. Great for that “easy” yard.


  1. Encourage Beneficial Wildlife to Help Maintain the Yard


Garden scene with blue shed, surrounded by greenery and flowers. A birdhouse stands in front, with a bench and woods in the background.

Metal sunflower, frog figurine, and a blue pinwheel surround a bubbling water fountain in a garden with green leaves and soil.

  1. Use Solar-Power and Low-Effort Outdoor Features

Six black lanterns glow warmly on a garden path at night, casting intricate light patterns on grass. Stone and greenery surround the scene.

Four solar-powered bird baths with fountains in gardens. Backgrounds include grass, flowers, a house with a white fence, and a yellow car.

nstall solar lights, a simple fountain or feature that runs itself. Minimal wiring, minimal maintenance — but high impact.


  1. Set Up Zones You Can “Forget” After Creation


Blue and purple hydrangeas bloom along a white wooden fence in a garden. A house is visible in the background under a clear sky.


Create specific zones (front, side, patio) where you set it and forget it: defined edging, mulch, simple plants. Over time you’ll spend hours lounging — not weeding. This concept is echoed in low-maintenance garden essays.


Chart of landscaping costs by budget, moderate, luxury tiers. Items include turf lawns, drought plants, gravel pathways, rock gardens, and more.

Conclusion

Your yard doesn’t need to be a high-maintenance chore. With just a handful of smart choices — fewer plants, more hardscape, native species, mulch, and automatic systems — you can build a landscape that works for you not against you. Pick the ideas above that match your style and climate, start with one zone, and see how much time you reclaim.


bottom of page