Selecting the right grass plants for your yard means the difference between a lush, self-sustaining landscape and a constant battle against bare patches and invasive weeds. Whether you need a fast-growing privacy screen, a resilient ground cover that chokes out weeds, or a fragrant culinary staple that also repels mosquitoes, the specific variety and its planting conditions dictate your success.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent years studying market data, comparing propagation methods, analyzing soil and sunlight tolerances, and cross-referencing aggregated owner feedback to separate the truly resilient outdoor grass plants from those that simply look good in a product photo.
This guide breaks down five distinct options, each chosen for a different real-world role in your garden. After reading, you’ll know exactly which best outdoor grass plants belong on your property based on your specific climate, space, and maintenance expectations.
How To Choose The Best Outdoor Grass Plants
Not every grass-like plant serves the same function. A plant bred for a dense, low-growing ground cover will fail as a tall privacy screen, and a clumping ornamental variety won’t spread to fill in bare soil. Matching the plant’s growth habit and care needs to your specific goal is the first step toward a garden that requires less intervention.
Growth Habit: Clumping vs. Spreading
Clumping grasses, like Lemongrass and Liriope, expand from a central crown and maintain a contained shape. They are ideal for borders, accent planting, and defined beds. Spreading varieties like Creeping Jenny send out runners and form a dense mat, making them superior for covering large areas, suppressing weeds, and stabilizing slopes. Choose clumping for structure and spreading for coverage.
Sunlight and Soil Tolerance
Full-sun plants like Thuja Green Giant and Lemongrass require at least six hours of direct sun daily to reach their growth potential. Shade-tolerant options like Variegated Liriope and Creeping Jenny will perform in partial shade but may grow less densely. Soil moisture requirements vary widely: Creeping Jenny prefers consistently moist soil, while Liriope is drought-tolerant once established. Matching the plant to your existing light and drainage conditions prevents root rot and stunted growth.
Mature Size and Spacing
A Thuja Green Giant can reach 40 feet tall and 15 feet wide, demanding significant space and strategic placement away from foundations and power lines. Lemongrass forms a clump 3-4 feet wide, suitable for a dedicated bed or large container. Creeping Jenny stays under 6 inches tall and spreads indefinitely, making it a true ground cover. Always check the mature dimensions before planting to avoid overcrowding and excessive pruning later.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | Premium | Fast privacy screen (3 ft/yr) | Mature height of 40 ft | Amazon |
| 5 Lemongrass Plants (12″) | Mid-Range | Culinary use & mosquito control | Hydroponically grown roots | Amazon |
| 8 Rooted Lemongrass Stalks (5-6″) | Mid-Range | Entry-level mosquito barrier | 8 stalks per pack | Amazon |
| Creeping Jenny (2-Pack) | Mid-Range | Fast-spreading ground cover | Spread of 18 inches per plant | Amazon |
| Variegated Liriope (18-Pack) | Budget | Shade-tolerant edging in bulk | 18 plants per order | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae (10-Pack)
The Thuja Green Giant is the undisputed workhorse for creating a living privacy fence. These are shipped as potted starters, already rooted in soil, and they deliver a claimed growth rate of three feet per year once established. At a mature height of 40 feet with a 15-foot spread, these trees are a long-term investment in property seclusion and windbreak value. They are hardy in zones 5 through 9 and tolerate partial shade, though full sun accelerates their vertical push.
Customer reports confirm that with consistent watering — especially drip irrigation two to three times per week during the first year — these trees survive harsh winters and double in size within a single growing season. The 10-pack at this price point delivers significant per-plant savings compared to nursery stock. However, the dense, fast growth requires spacing of at least six feet apart to avoid overcrowding as they mature. Some buyers in zones at the edge of the recommended range reported total failure if trees were planted in excessive shade or during a heatwave without supplemental water.
The five-day guarantee window is tight and explicitly excludes plants shipped outside the recommended zone or during extreme weather. This puts the responsibility on the buyer to time the order correctly. For anyone with the space and patience for a multi-year screen, this is the most cost-effective route to a mature hedge. The primary risk is the buyer’s own planting conditions, not the tree’s genetics.
What works
- Fast vertical growth at 3 ft per year once established
- Excellent value per tree compared to big-box nursery stock
- Potted in soil, reducing transplant shock
What doesn’t
- Five-day guarantee window is very short and excludes off-zone planting
- Requires consistent deep watering in the first year to survive
- Mature spread of 15 ft demands careful spacing planning
2. 5 Lemongrass Plants (12 Inches)
This pack from THAIPHOON JIRA delivers five stalks that are a full 12 inches long with established root systems, putting them ahead of smaller starter plugs in terms of immediate transplant viability. Grown using advanced hydroponic techniques, these plants are free from soil-borne pathogens and are ready for both outdoor garden beds and indoor containers. The variety is the classic citronella type, making it a dual-purpose plant: culinary for teas and Asian dishes, and functional as a natural mosquito repellent when planted near seating areas.
Buyers consistently report that the stalks arrive larger than advertised, with thick stems and healthy root balls. The packaging includes clear instructions for recovery if roots detach in transit — simply place the stalk in room-temperature water for five days, changing the water daily. In zone 7, one customer started these in March and harvested from two overflowing 25-gallon pots by season’s end, confirming the productivity potential in full hot sun. The low-maintenance claim holds true: once planted, lemongrass requires only moderate watering and occasional division to keep the clump vigorous.
The per-stalk cost is slightly higher than grocery store stalks, but the rooted, hydroponic head start eliminates the rooting failure common with store-bought stems. The only real downside is that it is a clumping grass, not a spreader, so it will not fill a large area without manual division each spring. For a dedicated culinary bed or a mosquito-deterring patio border, this is the most reliable lemongrass option in this roundup.
What works
- 12-inch stalks with healthy hydroponic root systems reduce transplant failure
- Excellent productivity with full sun — yields multiple pots per season
- Dual purpose for cooking and natural mosquito repellent
What doesn’t
- Clumping habit requires manual division to increase coverage area
- Slightly higher per-stalk cost than unrooted grocery store options
3. 8 Rooted Lemongrass Stalks (5-6 Inches)
This eight-stalk pack is the entry-level choice for gardeners who want to test lemongrass without a larger financial commitment. Each stalk is 5-6 inches long, rooted, and grown hydroponically to avoid soil contaminants. The primary selling point is the sheer number of starters per pack, which allows for wider initial spacing or filling multiple pots at a lower per-stalk cost than the 12-inch premium option.
Positive reviews highlight that these stalks grow to full size in a single season in zone 8b, and the foliage successfully repelled wasps when planted near a porch. The packaging is designed to protect the delicate roots, and the seller includes tips for strengthening roots if any detachment occurs. However, the 31-day return policy is a risk: one buyer reported that only one of six stalks survived despite following planting instructions, and the seller denied responsibility after the initial month. The stalks can arrive with a yellow hue and brown roots if transit is delayed, which lowers the survival rate compared to the more robust 12-inch option.
For the price, this is a high-volume gamble that pays off for many but fails for a vocal minority. The key to success appears to be spring planting and immediate potting upon arrival. If you have the patience to nurture smaller starts and want more plants to distribute around a patio, this pack offers good potential. If you need guaranteed thick, fast-growing stalks, the premium 12-inch pack is a safer bet.
What works
- Higher stalk count for lower per-plant cost
- Grows to full size in one season in warm zones with full sun
- Hydroponic roots reduce risk of soil-borne disease
What doesn’t
- Inconsistent survival rate — some arrive with yellowing or root damage
- Seller responsibility window ends at 31 days, leaving buyers with dead stalks
- Smaller 5-6 inch size is more vulnerable to transplant shock
4. Creeping Jenny Live Plant (2-Pack)
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a trailing perennial that forms a dense mat of chartreuse-green, coin-shaped leaves. At maturity, it reaches only 4 inches in height but spreads up to 18 inches per plant, making it one of the most effective living mulches for suppressing weeds and controlling erosion on slopes. This 2-pack from The Three Company is shipped directly from their greenhouse, and the plants are grown for immediate outdoor transplant in zone-specific timing.
The majority of buyers report that the plants arrive healthy and rebound quickly, even if one appears wilted after transit. A soak in shade for a day revives the foliage, and the roots establish within a week in consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. The spreading habit is aggressive enough to fill in bare spots between shrubs or cascade over container edges within a single growing season. However, the packaging is a point of contention: a significant minority report that the plants are shipped in a small box intended for bulbs, with no internal padding, resulting in crushed stems and broken leaves upon arrival.
Once established, Creeping Jenny is low-maintenance, tolerating sun to partial shade and a variety of soil types. It is not a zero-maintenance plant — it prefers regular watering and will thin out in prolonged drought. For ground cover purposes, this is a high-success-rate plant with a predictable growth pattern, provided the packaging issue is resolved. The 12-ounce item weight suggests the soil volume at shipping is modest, so potting up immediately after arrival is recommended for root room.
What works
- Fast spreading habit creates dense weed-suppressing mat
- Recovers quickly from transit wilt with proper soaking
- Versatile for ground cover, containers, and erosion control
What doesn’t
- Packaging is inconsistent — some shipments arrive with damaged stems
- Requires consistently moist soil; not drought-tolerant
5. Variegated Liriope (18-Pack)
Variegated Liriope, or Lilyturf, is an evergreen perennial ornamental grass with green and white striped blades that add visual texture to shaded borders and edging. This 18-pack from Plants by Mail is the highest-volume option in this roundup, designed for buyers covering larger areas or creating uniform edging along walkways and driveways. It reaches a mature height of 12 to 18 inches and produces spikes of small purple flowers in late summer, adding a secondary ornamental value.
Customer feedback consistently praises the health of these plants upon arrival. They ship in individual pots with well-developed root systems, and the included planting guide is a helpful touch for zone-specific care. The plants tolerate partial to full shade and are drought-tolerant once established, which reduces watering chores after the first season. In zone 7B, one buyer reported that the plants survived a two-week shipping delay due to a snowstorm and still planted successfully, indicating robust handling tolerance. The warranty covers only live arrival within seven days, with no refunds for failure to thrive — a standard policy for volume plant sellers.
The per-plant cost is the lowest in this roundup, making it the clear choice for budget-conscious shoppers who need quantity over individual size. The trade-off is that these are smaller starter plants that require a full growing season to fill in. The clumping habit means they will not spread aggressively like Creeping Jenny, so spacing must be intentional for a dense ground cover effect. For shaded areas where a tidy, evergreen edge is the goal, this pack delivers reliable uniformity at scale.
What works
- Excellent value for bulk planting — 18 healthy, potted starters
- Shade-tolerant and drought-resistant once established
- Consistently arrives in good health with strong root systems
What doesn’t
- Clumping habit requires intentional spacing; does not spread aggressively
- Warranty covers only live arrival, not long-term survival
Hardware & Specs Guide
Root System Maturity
The most critical factor for transplant success is root readiness at delivery. Hydroponically grown lemongrass (Products 2 & 3) arrives with clean, fibrous root systems free from soil pathogens, reducing the risk of damping-off. Potted plants like the Thuja Green Giant and Liriope arrive with soil-bound root balls that preserve moisture during transit. Bare-root or minimally rooted stalks are more vulnerable to drying out and require immediate planting or soaking to survive.
Growth Rate vs. Mature Spread
Fast-growing varieties like Thuja Green Giant (3 ft/year vertical) and Creeping Jenny (18-inch horizontal spread per plant) demand different spacing strategies. A privacy screen made of Thuja needs 6-7 foot spacing to allow for a 15-foot mature width without overcrowding. Creeping Jenny, by contrast, can be planted 12 inches apart for rapid fill-in. Slow clumpers like Liriope and Lemongrass expand from the crown at a rate of a few inches per year and benefit from division every 2-3 seasons to maintain vigor.
FAQ
Will lemongrass survive winter in zone 6?
Can Creeping Jenny be planted in full sun?
How fast does Variegated Liriope spread to fill a border?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners seeking a long-term privacy solution, the best outdoor grass plants winner is the Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae because it delivers the fastest vertical growth per dollar invested and creates a dense, year-round screen that can double in size each season with proper care. If you want a reliable culinary and mosquito-repelling plant that yields stalks for cooking all summer, grab the 5 Lemongrass Plants (12 Inches). And for filling shaded, problem areas with a low-growing, weed-suppressing carpet, nothing beats the Creeping Jenny (2-Pack) for its rapid spreading habit and vibrant foliage.