The pros and cons of natural grass vs artificial grass

Natural grass is the default for lawns, but if you're considering artificial grass as an alternative, it's worth knowing the pros and cons of both.

Depending on your priorities, there may be a clear winner: will you choose the classic finish of a natural lawn or the convenience of artificial grass? Our complete guide can be used to help make your decision – or, for landscaping professionals with customers on the fence, shared to help them make the right choice.

A natural lawn: the pros

Ask anyone to describe a lush green lawn, and natural grass will come to mind. It's been the standard throughout the lawn's long history, and for good reason.

From a more aesthetically pleasing appearance to biodiversity, these are the benefits of choosing a classic grass lawn.

It looks, and feels, better

A lawn is the centrepiece of the garden. If you want it to look its absolute best, there's no choice but natural. The colour of the grass is a richer green, the texture is softer, and, despite the progress made in the appearance of artificial grass, there's still a marked difference in the look of the grass blades.

There's a reason the most renowned gardens in Europe use natural turf: there simply is no replacement for those who want their lawn to look its best.

More environmentally friendly

Grass, like all plants, absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. It also acts as a barrier, absorbing pollutants from the air and water.

Grass provides a habitat for insects, which in turn provide food for birds and other wildlife. This is an ecosystem that is lost when artificial grass or gravel is chosen. Worms also help improve the soil structure, increasing the nutrients in the soil and making it more resistant to erosion.

Grass provides drainage

Built-up urban environments remove the natural drainage systems designed to absorb rainfall. This can leave these areas more prone to flooding – grass provides vital drainage, which helps reduce the risk.

Grass also acts as a filter, absorbing pollutants from road runoff (the chemicals that are washed from roads) when it rains.

Supports biodiversity

A natural grass lawn supports a diverse ecosystem of insects, animals, and other wildlife. With artificial grass, no life is supported.

If you allow some flowers to appear in the grass – perhaps during May, when rewilding is encouraged – you are supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting biodiversity even further.

Better for families

Artificial turf doesn't have the same give as grass – even with an underlay and base layer, the lawn is firmer and less forgiving. Grass is soft, with better shock absorption and less friction, making it perfect for kids wanting to play in the garden.

If you have pets that use the outdoor space, it may also not be the best choice. Especially if you're having to regularly clean up after them!

And of course, we can't leave out perhaps the greatest benefit of a natural lawn! The smell of freshly cut grass would be dearly missed by most.

A natural lawn: the cons

Maintenance

Grass lawns are living, growing plants. As such, they require maintenance to thrive – the best-looking lawns will follow a meticulous lawn care regime. Landscape maintenance professionals know the ins and outs of lawn care, so it’s worth investigating landscapers in your local community if you want to make sure your lawn is always in top condition.

While some people enjoy looking after their lawn, others may lack the time and energy, be physically unable to do the work, or their gardens are simply too large to manage. For those wanting the perfect lawn, you will need to add feed, topsoil and other lawn care essentials; this can add additional cost.

As mentioned, a landscaping professional can keep your turf looking perfect, so you don’t need to worry about remembering these elements – there is a cost attached, of course, but it may not be as expensive as you might think! Talk through your requirements and you may be able to agree on a solution that works for you.

Maintenance is important for healthy grass; without it, it can become overgrown or patchy. But, fortunately, even if this has occurred due to a lack of attention or a dry summer spell, most grass is hardy enough that it can normally recover with some care. 

Vulnerable to the weather

Severe weather can damage the grass. If measures are not taken to protect the grass from prolonged frost, heavy rain or intense heat, the lawn will suffer in those conditions.

There are many species of grass to choose from, however, and if you expect certain weather conditions to repeat in your location, you can adapt accordingly. Drought-resistant grass, for example, is growing in popularity in places facing extreme temperatures in summer.

If you've noticed summers are increasingly hot, many types of grass that are suited to more mild weather, such as perennial ryegrass, may need to be switched for a more resistant variety. Fortunately, there are plenty of grass types to choose from – new drought-resistant grass seeds are regularly developed, so even in the warmest countries in Europe, you can find a variety to suit your climate.

Winter damage

If your lawn has to handle a lot of foot traffic, the winter months may lead to the grass quickly deteriorating. With the right preparation – which a professional landscaper can assist with – and by avoiding walking on the grass as much as possible, you can keep the lawn in good condition year-round.

Artificial grass lawn: the pros

Artificial grass is a popular alternative for many – from convenience to year-round consistency, these are the benefits of choosing artificial grass.

Convenience

The main appeal of artificial grass is its convenience. You don't have to worry about maintenance; once it's installed, there's relatively little to worry about.

That doesn't mean there's no maintenance at all – it will need cleaning, for example. For people who don't want to worry about maintaining the grass, it can offer a convenient alternative.

Save water

There's no need to worry about watering with artificial grass. It will stay green all year, even in periods of severe drought. Though it's worth bearing in mind that if it's extremely hot, another challenge could arise; the grass has a melting point. Prolonged UV radiation exposure can also cause the colour of many types of artificial grass to fade: if you live in a warmer climate, this will happen sooner.

Winter resistant – can handle heavy foot traffic

Where normal turf becomes vulnerable in winter due to heavy rain and colder temperatures, artificial grass is not so affected.

If people continue to walk over regular grass in these conditions, it can quickly become muddy – especially if drainage is poor. If heavy foot traffic is unavoidable, artificial grass may be a better fit.

No waiting time

You don't need to wait for the grass to grow – only for delivery! As soon as the turf is laid, it will be ready to go. Real grass requires a little more patience and will need frequent watering for a few weeks before it is established.

Artificial grass: the cons

Environmental impact

When you choose artificial, polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, or nylon will usually make up the grass blades; improvements have been made in recent years, but the manufacture of these plastics has a carbon footprint, while the plastic itself will never biodegrade.

The plastic grass also absorbs significantly more radiation, contributing to global warming, and installing artificial turf releases carbon dioxide stored in the earth by removing soil, while displacing living plants that would absorb it.

Biodiversity is reduced and an ecosystem is no longer supported; insects and wildlife lose a habitat and food source, which are typically already limited in urban environments.

Poor drainage

While unlikely to be a huge flooding risk, artificial turf doesn't have the drainage properties of a natural grass lawn. In heavy rain, water could pool on the grass. Having borders with trees and other plants can help mitigate this, but only to an extent.

High upfront cost

For some people, this choice will come down to price. Which will be more cost-effective long term? Artificial grass has a higher upfront cost, while normal grass has a longer-term cost of maintenance attached.

For anything larger than a small garden, the initial cost can become prohibitive. Delivery and installation can add to this total; you will likely need a professional's assistance, as, if it isn't laid properly, the turf will soon cause issues and look worse for wear.

Estimates on the longevity of artificial grass vary, but it is often suggested to last between seven and fifteen years on average. While not a regular expense, you will have to replace the turf eventually; this is, as mentioned, particularly expensive for larger gardens.

Higher risk of injury

Families with children who play in the garden may find real grass a safer option due to its softer, more forgiving surface. Some evidence suggests artificial grass is more likely to lead to injury.

The firmer base beneath the artificial turf makes impacts on the ground harder, potentially increasing the chance of injury during play or sports. Turf burn is also more common on artificial grass.

Maintenance

There is a slight misconception that artificial grass is a fit-and-forget solution. It can be easier than caring for a regular lawn, but light maintenance is still required.

You will need to remove debris like fallen leaves or branches, and clean the turf weekly – if you have pets, expect this to be more frequent.

Can overheat and has a melting point

Artificial grass reaches significantly higher temperatures than natural grass under the same conditions. They can feel very hot to touch, making them unusable on particularly warm sunny days.

If the heat is very extreme, or a reflective surface directs sunlight onto the lawn, the turf can melt. The exact temperature where this happens varies depending on the manufacturer; it's extremely rare, but can occur in certain circumstances.

As discussed, prolonged UV radiation exposure can also cause the colour of many types of artificial grass to fade.

Choose your perfect lawn

You should now feel equipped to make the right choice for your lawn. Both types have their pros and cons, with natural being more environmentally friendly and artificial easier to manage, but it will ultimately come down to personal preference.

Natural grass is the gold standard for most gardens, however. And if you want your lawn to look the best it possibly can, you will want to find an expert landscape professional to handle the ins and outs of maintenance.

Landscapers that use Powered by Kawasaki equipment can deliver premium results. If you're choosing natural, you want your lawn to look its best: the exceptional performance of machinery powered by Kawasaki engines means you'll have a perfect lawn that turns others green with envy.