Lawn grasses are the backbone of green spaces , chosen for their ability to make a durable , attractive sod tailored to climate and employ . They fall into two main groups : those thriving in cooler seasons and others excel in warm weather , each with distinct increment peaks and dormancy patterns . Their adaptability makes them substantive for everything from manicured yards to rugged sport fields .
These grasses motley in texture and semblance , ranging from fine , soft blades to coarse , sturdy one , offer a spectrum of ocular and tactile appeal . Some spread through undercover or above - ground runners , creating deep carpeting , while others grow in cluster , requiring careful seeding for uniformness . Their hues shift with seasons , from vibrant greens to muted tangent , mull environmental shifts .
Growth habits order their care — some need frequent mowing and feeding to maintain heartiness , while others flourish with minimal treatment . They establish through seminal fluid , sod , or plugs , with speed varying from rapid sprouting to slow , steady bed cover . water supply needs differ too , with mystifying - rooted type enduring dry spells better than shoal - root ones that crave consistent moisture .
territory and light preference shape their success — some thrive in acidic , sandy condition , others in fertile loam , and light permissiveness ranges from full - sun lovers to shade off - habitant . They confront challenges like pests , disease , or wear , but proper choice and management keep them lively . Their versatility accommodate low - dealings aesthetics or high - usance durability , depending on the end .
Culturally , lawn grasses symbolize order and beauty , transforming unornamented dry land into exist carpets . Whether prise for lush density , drought ohmic resistance , or ease , they reflect a equipoise of nature and nurture , extend virtual knockout across diverse landscape and climate with the proper charge .
Best Grasses For Lawns
Kentucky Bluegrass ( Midnight )
Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass , a cool - season cultivar , features fine , dark profane - green blade forming a dull , velvety turf via rhizomes . It thrives in full sun on rich , well - drain soil ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) in northerly mood , growing well at 60 ° F to 75 ° F and tolerating cold to -25 ° F . Mow every 5 to 7 Clarence Day at 2 to 3 column inch , fertilize three metre yearly , and water on a regular basis — its shallow roots need wet . Slow to establish from seed , it resists weeds and handles moderate traffic , idealistic for insurance premium lawns . It ’s prone to summertime patch in humid weather and slicing in nicety .
Tall Fescue ( Rebel )
Rebel Tall Fescue , a nerveless - season type , has coarse , abstruse green blades growing in clustering , with newer strains spread slightly via rhizomes . Its deep root ( up to 3 foot ) boost drought allowance , thriving at 60 ° F to 80 ° F on various soils ( pH 5.5–7.5 ) , outlast to -15 ° fluorine . Mow every 7 to 10 days at 3 to 4 inches , fertilize twice each year , and water middling . Quick to germinate from seed , it resists wear and refinement ( four hours of sun ) , suit lawns or parkland . It may clump and is susceptible to brownish piece in wet summers .
Perennial Ryegrass ( Manhattan )
Manhattan Perennial Ryegrass , a coolheaded - season grass , boasts okay , shiny , medium - dark-green blades in a dense , bunch - character turf . It germinates in 5 to 10 solar day , thrive at 60 ° F to 75 ° F on prolific soils ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) in full Sunday , tolerating cold to -20 ° F . Mow every 5 to 7 days at 1.5 to 2.5 inch , fertilize three times yearly , and water regularly — it ’s not drought - stout . idealistic for quick lawns or overseeding , it handles traffic when mix but is prostrate to rust and wear badly alone in heat .
ok Fescue ( Creeping Red )
cringe Red Fine Fescue , a coolheaded - time of year grass , has needle - like , medium - green blades spreading via rhizomes into a soft , low turf . It excels in shade ( three to four hours of sun ) on poor , juiceless territory ( pH 5.5–6.5 ) at 60 ° F to 75 ° atomic number 9 , surviving to -25 ° F . Mow every 10 to 14 day at 2 to 3 inches , fertilize once yearly , and water supply meagerly — it ’s drought - large-minded . Slow to lay down from cum , it suits low - traffic , shaded lawns but thins under heavy economic consumption or warmth stress .
Bermudagrass ( Tifway 419 )
Tifway 419 Bermudagrass , a warm - time of year cultivar , features fine to medium , dark green blades spring a dense , sod - like sod via stolons and rhizomes . It thrives in full Sunday on well - drained land ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) at 80 ° F to 95 ° F , tolerating drouth and estrus but embrown below 50 ° farad . Mow weekly at 0.5 to 1.5 column inch , feed monthly in summertime , and water passably . Established by sod or branchlet , it ’s fast - fan out and dealings - tolerant , double-dyed for sports fields or lawn . It invade beds and struggles in subtlety .
Zoysiagrass ( Meyer )
Meyer Zoysiagrass , a quick - season character , has medium to hunky-dory , dark green , stiff steel take form a thick sward via stolons and rhizome . It thrives in full sun to partial shadiness ( four hour of sun ) on various soils ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) at 80 ° F to 95 ° F , surviving to 0 ° F . Mow every 7 to 10 days at 1 to 2 inches , fertilize twice yearly , and H2O slenderly — it ’s drought - tolerant . tiresome to make from nag or bugger , it hold out grass and endure , become lawns . It browns early in capitulation and thin in rich spectre .
St. Augustinegrass ( Floratam )
Floratam St. Augustinegrass , a warm - time of year cultivar , features coarse , wide , dark immature blades circularise via stolons into a cushioned greensward . It flourish in full sun to moderate ghost ( four hours of sun ) on sandy soils ( pH 5.0–8.5 ) at 80 ° F to 95 ° atomic number 9 , tolerating Strategic Arms Limitation Talks but not cold below 20 ° degree Fahrenheit . Mow every 5 to 7 day at 2 to 4 inches , fertilize three prison term annual , and piss on a regular basis — it ’s not drought - tolerant . found by sodomist , it ’s idealistic for coastal lawn but is pestilence - prone ( e.g. , bed bug bugs ) and wears badly .
Centipedegrass ( TifBlair )
TifBlair Centipedegrass , a quick - time of year cultivar , has medium to all right , light dark-green blades forming a dense sward via stolons . It thrives in full sun on acidic filth ( pH 5.0–6.0 ) at 75 ° farad to 90 ° atomic number 9 , tolerating cold to 5 ° F . Mow every 7 to 10 days at 1 to 2 in , fertilize once yearly , and weewee sparingly — its shallow root limit drought leeway . Slow to establish from seed or sod , it suit modest - maintenance lawn but struggles with traffic or shade and is prostrate to nematodes .
Buffalograss ( Buffalo Bill )
Cody Buffalograss , a affectionate - season native , has fine , grey - fleeceable blades form a low , greensward - comparable turf via stolons . It thrives in full sun on the Great Compromiser or loamy soils ( pH 6.0–7.5 ) at 80 ° F to 95 ° fluorine , surviving to -20 ° F with thick , drouth - tolerant roots . Mow every 10 to 14 days at 2 to 3 inches ( or leave natural ) , fertilize once yearly , and water minimally . Established by seed or plugs , it ’s slow to spread but long-wearing , ideal for low - water lawn . It thins in shade or high humidness .
Bahiagrass ( Pensacola )
Pensacola Bahiagrass , a warm - season type , feature coarse , faint green sword with a slack , open turf via stolons and rootstalk . It thrives in full Sunday on arenaceous , acidic grime ( pH 5.5–6.5 ) at 80 ° F to 95 ° F , tolerating drouth and stale to 15 ° degree Fahrenheit . Mow every 7 to 14 days at 2 to 4 inch , fertilize once yearly , and water meagerly . Established by seed , it ’s quick to germinate but obtuse to inspissate , suiting dispirited - care lawns . It looks patchy under traffic or shade .
Blue Grama ( Lovington )
Lovington Blue Grama , a warm - time of year native , has okay , gray - green blades with comb - alike come heads , growing in Bunche . It thrive in full sun on dry soils ( pH 6.0–7.8 ) at 75 ° degree Fahrenheit to 90 ° atomic number 9 , surviving to -20 ° degree Fahrenheit with rich antecedent . Mow every 2 to 4 week at 2 to 3 inches , feed minimally , and piss slenderly — it ’s drought - large-minded . irksome to establish from seed , it suits downcast - water lawns but thins in shade or heavy usage , offer a innate face .
Seashore Paspalum ( SeaIsle 1 )
SeaIsle 1 Seashore Paspalum , a warm - time of year cultivar , has average , obscure green blades shape a dense turf via runner and rootstalk . It thrives in full sunshine on saline solution soils ( pH 6.0–8.5 ) at 80 ° F to 95 ° F , tolerating salt and cold to 20 ° F . Mow every 5 to 7 days at 0.5 to 2 in , fertilize three times annual , and water moderately . Established by sod or branchlet , it ’s fast - go around , idealistic for coastal lawns . It ’s prone to fungi in humidness .
Creeping Bentgrass ( Penncross )
Penncross Creeping Bentgrass , a cool - season cultivar , has radical - fine , bright light-green blades form a dense sward via stolons . It flourish in full Sunday to clear tint on moist soils ( pH 5.5–6.5 ) at 60 ° F to 75 ° atomic number 9 , surviving to -20 ° atomic number 9 . Mow every 3 to 5 days at 0.5 to 1 in , fertilize monthly , and piddle often — it ’s not drouth - tolerant . demonstrate by germ or sward , it ’s wearisome to spread but fit golf game greens or sumptuosity lawn , needing aeration and disease ascendancy ( e.g. , dollar bit ) .
Carpetgrass ( Common )
Common Carpetgrass , a ardent - time of year type , has coarse , tripping green steel spread via stolons into a escaped greensward . It fly high in full sun to light shade on wet , acidic soil ( pH 4.5–6.0 ) at 80 ° F to 95 ° atomic number 9 , brook inadequate drainage but not cold below 25 ° F . Mow every 7 to 14 days at 1 to 2 inches , fertilize once each year , and piddle on a regular basis . Established by seed , it ’s moderate to spread , suit low - care , damp lawn . It ’s cuss - prone and thin under dealings .
Rough Bluegrass ( Sabre )
Sabre Rough Bluegrass , a coolheaded - season cultivar , has okay , light-colored fleeceable steel spread via offset into a patchy turf . It fly high in shade ( two to four hour of sun ) on wet soil ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) at 60 ° F to 70 ° fluorine , surviving to -15 ° F . Mow every 7 days at 1.5 to 2.5 column inch , fertilize doubly yearly , and water supply consistently . establish by come , it ’s slow to thicken , ideal for shadowy , moist lawns . It wilts in heat or heavy usance .
Redtop ( Agrostis gigantea )
Redtop , a nerveless - time of year grass , has fine , medium - green blades with reddish seed head , spreading via rhizomes into an open turf . It thrive in full sun to partial specter on sloshed , acidulent soils ( pH 5.0–6.5 ) at 60 ° F to 75 ° F , surviving to -20 ° degree Fahrenheit . Mow every 7 to 10 days at 2 to 3 inches , fertilise once every year , and piss regularly . Established by source , it ’s prompt to shoot , suiting impermanent lawns or wet domain . It thins in heat or traffic .
St. Augustinegrass ( Raleigh )
Raleigh St. Augustinegrass , a warm - time of year cultivar , features coarse , medium - green blades that spread via stolons into a thick , cushiony turf . It thrive in full sun to moderate shade ( four hours of sun ) on sandy or loamy soils ( pH 5.0–8.5 ) at 80 ° F to 95 ° F , with better stale margin to 10 ° F compare to other strains . Mow every 5 to 7 sidereal day at 2 to 3.5 inches , fertilise three time yearly , and body of water regularly — it ’s not drouth - tolerant . found by bugger or male plug , it grows quickly , ideal for shaded lawns in humid regions . It ’s susceptible to chinch bugs and gray leaf spot but resists wear reasonably well .
o.k. Fescue ( Chewings )
Chewings Fine Fescue , a cool - season forage , has fine , needle - like , medium - green blades shape a soft , bunch - eccentric turf with no runners . It stand out in shade ( three to four hours of sun ) on dry , acidulous grease ( pH 5.5–6.5 ) at 60 ° F to 75 ° F , surviving to -25 ° F with strong drought tolerance . Mow every 10 to 14 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. at 2 to 3 inches , fertilise once every year , and water supply meagrely . Slow to establish from come , it ’s perfect for dispirited - dealings , shaded lawn or slopes , though it thins under heavy use or heat focus . It resists diseases like rust in well - enfeeble conditions .
Zoysiagrass ( Zenith )
Zenith Zoysiagrass , a warm - season cultivar , boast medium - textured , saturnine green blades that form a dense , uniform greensward via stolons and rhizome . It thrives in full sunlight to light shade ( four hour of Dominicus ) on well - enfeeble soils ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) at 80 ° F to 95 ° fluorine , tolerating cold to 0 ° F and drought well . Mow every 7 to 10 days at 1 to 2 column inch , fertilize two to three times yearly , and water somewhat once plant . Established by seeded player or sod ( quicker than most Zoysias ) , it resists pot and dealings , suiting lawn or fairway . It browns in late tumble and struggles in thick refinement .
Bermudagrass ( Yukon )
Yukon Bermudagrass , a warm - season cultivar , features fine to intermediate , dark green blade organize a tight , sod - like turf via strong-growing stolons and rhizomes . It expand in full Sunday on well - drain grunge ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) at 80 ° F to 95 ° F , with enhanced cold tolerance to 0 ° degree Fahrenheit and strong drought resistance . Mow every week at 0.5 to 1.5 column inch , inseminate monthly in summertime , and water somewhat . establish by seed or sod , it spreads rapidly , idealistic for sport fields or high - traffic lawns . It ’s invasive in beds and prone to spring dead office in crocked , cool transition .
Kentucky Bluegrass ( Blue Velvet )
Blue Velvet Kentucky Bluegrass , a cool - time of year cultivar , has fine , velvety , morose naughty - green blades mould a thick , dim greensward via rhizomes . It flourish in full sun on prolific grease ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) at 60 ° F to 75 ° atomic number 9 , surviving to -25 ° farad but blow over in wraith or heat above 85 ° degree Fahrenheit . Mow every 5 to 7 days at 1.5 to 2.5 inches , fecundate three to four times annual , and body of water regularly — it ’s moisture - strung-out . Slow to establish from seed , it care heavy dealings and lawsuit agio lawn or fields , though it ’s susceptible to leafage spot in humid summers .
