Let’s Talk Low-Maintenance Landscaping for Southern California Lawns

When looking at adding landscaping to your home, you may not think of the upkeep needed to maintain a lush, gorgeous outdoor space. However, once you start looking into options, you’re sure to wonder if you can keep your new landscaped area looking great for years to come. Sure, landscaping takes upkeep, just like any part of owning a home, but it doesn’t have to be back-breaking. 

It is possible to embrace the beauty of outdoor living without the constant upkeep thanks to low-maintenance landscaping. Here, we discuss smart landscaping material choices that save you time and money, as well as reduce the overall upkeep needed for your yard. That way, you can spend less time mowing and trimming and more time enjoying your landscaped space. After all, the weekends should be for relaxing in your landscaped yard, not struggling with yard work! 

Southern California Low-Maintenance Lawn Options

One of the nice things about landscaping in Orange County, California, is that many different plant and turf options thrive in the area. You can easily swap sod for smarter ground covers. 

For example, many types of grass from the genus Festuca, also known as no-mow turf, are naturally found in California. These grasses not only maintain a low profile, meaning less mowing for you, but they can also act as retaining plants, keeping your hilly areas and slopes safe from erosion. Hot tip: some of the grasses in this family naturally grow in bush form, making them ideal for adding a lovely pop of green in your landscaping.

If you’re in love with the look of green grass year-round and want to do absolutely no mowing, investing in synthetic turf is a great option. Synthetic turf offers the appearance of a well-maintained lawn with little to no work from you once installed. There’s no upkeep, no real maintenance outside of general cleaning if you have pets or need to repair general wear-and-tear, and as a bonus, you can just get rid of your lawn mower. It’s a win-win!

Finally, you can ditch turf options altogether for a modern look. Grass takes a lot of water to maintain, and in California, where droughts are common, low-effort landscaping can take many forms and still be eco-friendly. Covering large areas with gravel and then adding in planters full of various leafy plants can all give you a modern, drought-friendly vibe with so much less upkeep (and water consumption) than a full turf space. 

Low-Maintenance Plant Options

Plants are beautiful, eye-catching, and unfortunately, a lot of work, especially if you want to keep them looking nice for the long term. Thankfully, some plants are much lower maintenance than others. If you want to avoid the pruning, plucking, trimming, and fussing that come with many plants, try sticking with perennials. 

Not only are perennials incredibly hardy (and hard to kill), but they are also low-trim plants that come back strong each season, meaning you don’t have to replant them manually. If you want to save your back and your free time, you’ll want to avoid herbaceous types of perennials and plants that need constant cutbacks, so they don’t take over your yard. 

Keep in mind it’s always possible to put seasonal plants in planters around your yard, so you can easily maintain them, while using perennials in more year-round sections. Plus, you can work with blooming schedules to make sure you have a constant wave of blooming flowers in your yard all year long. After all, just because you’re going for a low-maintenance landscaping option in California doesn’t mean you have to give up on a gorgeous yard!

Is Teak a Low-Maintenance Option?

It’s time to move to talking about a wood that’s close to our hearts: teak. Teak is gorgeous, it must be said, and the natural gray patina is beachy and beautiful. However, teak is far from a low-maintenance option, especially if you want to avoid that graying alongside potential mildew and mold issues. 

First, an explanation: teak is usually left natural, because it produces its own oils. However, these oils don’t protect it from everything, and lead to a natural gray color over time. Many people seal teak to preserve the golden tone, but sealing wood is a messy process. This means many people try to oil their teak.

Now, teak should ONLY be oiled with teak oil. Synthetic oils can introduce issues into the wood and interfere with the natural oil production. However, once you start oiling teak, you cannot stop, or it may become damaged. This happens because teak becomes reliant on those additional oils.

In short, teak is far from a maintenance-free option unless you get it sealed or let it gray naturally. Either way, you’re best served looking for another gorgeous wood type for a low-maintenance landscaping option.

Durable Hardscape = Less Hassle

Now, one doesn’t usually consider rocks when thinking about things that require upkeep. After all, when was the last time someone polished that boulder in your backyard? But in all seriousness, many hardscapes require sealing and are prone to damage and staining over time. Almost everyone has seen the dreaded rust stain on concrete, and many other stones require sealants to quite literally not melt away (looking at you, limestone). 

Instead of going for concrete or stone, look for porcelain pavers. These paving stones require no sealing, and they’re stain-proof. Not only can you use them pretty much anywhere, but they’re also easily customizable, meaning you can get the pathway of your dreams without worrying about it wearing down over time. 

Patio Covers That Last

Now we get to one of the most high-maintenance items in landscaping that no one ever expects to be high-maintenance: patio covers. Slide-wire fabric shades need regular cleaning and can stain easily. Nothing brings down the aesthetics of a patio like a dirty, ratty sunshade, and without constant maintenance, that’s where most fabric shades end up. On top of this, wood covers, while longer-lasting, eventually need repainting, adding to the overall hassle of your patio maintenance. 

Instead of going for these fallible materials, choosing powder-coated aluminum or steel can greatly reduce the amount of maintenance you have down the road. These materials are durable, waterproof, stain-proof, and made to last. Plus, steel covers are less likely to take damage, making them ideal for patios. While they may generate a little more heat than other shades, they’re made to last, meaning you can rest easy knowing you probably will never have to replace them. 

Making your landscaping project or patio low-maintenance is all about planning. If you know what to choose from the word go, you’ll save yourself hours upon hours of maintenance in the future. By choosing the right materials and plants from the start, you can not only transform your household workload, but you can also create a sleek, beautiful outdoor environment that you’ll love to spend time in.

To find out more about low-maintenance landscaping options for Orange County, CA, schedule a one-on-one consultation with us. We can help simplify your landscaping in a snap, while creating a plan that will transform your yard, patio, pathways, and more. To learn more about landscaping options personalized to your current yard, or to plan a full garden refresh, contact us today!

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Meet Allison, Founder & CEO of Sublime Setup

Allison is a passionate landscape designer and contractor with deep roots in Southern California. My love for outdoor living started at an early age, inspired by my grandfather’s craftsmanship and my own experiences exploring nature. That passion evolved into a thriving business dedicated to helping homeowners enhance their outdoor spaces.

Based in San Clemente, I work closely with homeowners across Orange County, creating landscapes that are both stunning and functional. My approach combines thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and a commitment to bringing each client’s vision to life. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing garden escape or a dynamic outdoor entertainment area, I’m here to help make it happen.

At Sublime Setup, we believe that an outdoor space should be more than just a yard; it should be an extension of your home, a place where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy the beauty of nature. That’s why we pour our hearts into every project, delivering high-quality, custom-designed landscapes that enhance not just properties, but lifestyles.

If you’re ready to transform your outdoor space, reach out today! Let’s create something extraordinary together.

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