Seeding rate library
Verified seeding rates for every lawn-alternative species we cover — sourced, not guessed.
Read the rates right
Unless noted otherwise, overseeding rates are per 1,000 sq ft and full-stand rates are called out per acre. These figures come from our verified data (USDA, university extension and primary sources); always confirm against the specific product or blend you buy, since cultivars and mixes vary.
Some species establish best from plugs or division rather than seed — that’s noted in the table. For those, seeding is unreliable and plugs give a dependable stand.
Verified seeding rates
| Species | Botanical | Seeding rate | Germination |
|---|---|---|---|
| White clover | Trifolium repens | 0.25–0.5 lb (overseed); USDA full stand 4 lb PLS/acre | 5–10 days |
| Microclover | Trifolium repens (Pipolina/Pirouette) | 1–2 oz (overseed) | 5–10 days |
| Fine fescue | Festuca rubra / brevipila / ovina | 4–6 lb (≈5 lb; 4.5 lb PLS no-mow) | 7–14 days |
| Roman/garden chamomile | Chamaemelum nobile | Plugs/division (Treneague non-flowering) | Slow |
| Creeping thyme | Thymus serpyllum | ~1/8 lb per 5,000 ft² (low; verify by supplier) | 14–21 days at 60–70°F |
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | Plugs/seed; verify | Variable |
| Buffalograss | Bouteloua dactyloides | 3–5 lb (scarified seed) | — |
| Dichondra | Dichondra repens (also D. micrantha) | Per supplier; needs warm soil | Warm soil required |
| Irish / Scotch moss | Sagina subulata ('Aurea' = Scotch moss) | Surface-sow (light-dependent) | Cool, moist |
| Sedge (Carex) | Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania/oak sedge); lawn spp. incl. C. pansa, C. texensis | Best from PLUGS — C. pensylvanica grows poorly from seed; some spp (C. texensis, C. pansa) seedable | Slow/variable; plugs preferred |
Shop the ones we sell
Caveats that matter
Overseed vs new stand. Overseeding an existing lawn uses far less seed than establishing bare ground; clover especially goes a long way.
PLS (pure live seed). Native and grass rates are often quoted in PLS per acre; convert for your area and adjust for germination.
Plugs for some species. Pennsylvania sedge and Treneague chamomile are established from plugs/division, not seed.