Which Grass is Best for Your Area?
Choose types adapted to your local climate and soil conditions. The newest varieties have greater resistance to drought and disease and need less maintenance
Note: Within each zone, certain species do better in some locales than others. Your state’s cooperative extension can make recommendations
Zone 1: Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
Traits: A cool-season perennial from Europe. Deep roots help it survive foot traffic and drought.
When to plant: September
Newest varieties: ‘Rebel IV’ and ‘Tarheel II’ tolerate some fungi.
Alternatives: Perennial
ryegrass, fine-leaf fescue,
Zoysia, Kentucky bluegrass
Zone 2: Zoysia grass (Zoysia spp.)
Traits: This Asian import can tolerate shade, insects, disease, and dryness but goes brown at the first hint of cold weather. Grows slowly; patch damaged areas with sod.
When to plant: April
Newest varieties: ‘Meyer,’ ‘Zenith,’ and ‘Compadre’ are winter-hardy.
Alternatives: Bermuda grass,
tall fescue
Zone 3: St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
Traits: This plug- or sod-grown species does best in sandy soil and bright sun. Sensitive to foot traffic and chewing insects.
When to plant: April
Newest varieties: ‘Raleigh,’ ‘Delmar,’ and ‘Mercedes’ are shade-tolerant and winter-hardy.
Alternatives: Centipede grass, Bahia grass, Seashore paspalum
Zone 4: Bermuda grass (Cynodon spp.)
Traits: Originally from Africa, it thrives in full sun, spreads aggressively, and needs lots of fertilizer. Mow 1 to 2 inches high.
When to plant: April
Newest varieties: ‘Riviera,’ ‘Yukon,’ and ‘Patriot’ handle cooler temperatures.
Alternatives: Tall fescue, Buffalo grass, Zoysia
Zone 5: Buffalo Grass (Buchloe dactyloides)
Traits: This American native needs little water and almost no fertilizer. Too much of either encourages weeds.
When to plant: April and May
Newest varieties: ‘Bowie,’ ‘Density,’ and ‘Texoka’ have the best turf.
Alternatives: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue
Zone 6: Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)
Traits: Recovers well from drought, cold, and foot traffic. Popular for sod; seeds take up to 30 days to sprout. In hot weather, water twice as much as fescue.
When to plant: September
Newest varieties: ‘NuDestiny’ resists some fungi; ‘Midnight’ and ‘Blue Velvet’ are best for shade.
Alternatives: Fine-leaf and tall fescue