8 Top Drought-Tolerant Grasses for Your Yard

Buffalograss, Bermudagrass, bahiagrass, and creeping red fescue are among some of the most drought-tolerant options for your lawn. These varieties can handle dry weather while still offering top-tier curb appeal.

When choosing a drought-tolerant grass, remember that no single variety works for every yard. According to Mikaela Boley, master gardener coordinator at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, your decision should be guided by conditions like soil composition, moisture levels, and sun exposure. She also notes that factors such as foot traffic, grass height, and salinity help guide the right choice.

My guide outlines the top 8 drought-tolerant turfgrasses, ranked from most to least resilient, so you can choose the best option for your lawn.

In this article:

1. Bermudagrass

Classification: Warm-season
Region: South/Southeast, Southwest (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, southern California, southern Nevada)
Heat tolerance: High
Foot traffic tolerance: High
Recommended mowing height: 1 to 2 inches
Water needs: 1 inch of water every 5 to 10 days
Pros: Excellent drought survival, fast-growing, handles heat and heavy wear
Cons: Turns dormant with frost and requires frequent mowing and maintenance

Bermudagrass is a tough, fast-growing grass popular in the South for its ability to withstand drought and foot traffic. According to lawn experts at the North Carolina Extension, “Bermudagrass is extremely drought tolerant, grows rapidly on any type of soil, and makes a good turf if fertilized and mowed low and often.”

During a drought, Bermuda will go dormant, but it bounces back quickly once it gets watered again. In terms of maintenance, Bermudagrass needs regular mowing and edging to keep it looking neat.

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2. Buffalograss

Classification: Warm-season
Region: Great Plains/Midwest (Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri)
Heat tolerance: High
Foot traffic tolerance: Low
Recommended mowing height: 2 to 4 inches
Water needs: Established buffalograss goes dormant during dry spells. If you want to prevent dormancy, water 0.5 to 1 inch of water per week.
Pros: Low-water needs, low-growing habit, and few pest or disease issues
Cons: Goes fully dormant in winter and during extended drought, not suited for shade, and is slow to establish

Buffalograss is a native grass that forms a soft lawn and survives on very little water. According to Brad S. Fresenburg, turfgrass specialist at the University of Missouri Extension, “During extended dry periods without moisture, buffalograss goes dormant to avoid drought stress and will remain dormant until moisture is available.”

As a native species, buffalograss is well-suited to local environments and offers ecological benefits by supporting wildlife. However, Boley from University of Maryland notes that native grasses aren’t suited to the same maintenance routines as traditional turf. “They do not like to be mowed, but they also develop a much deeper and elaborate root system,” she says.

3. Zoysiagrass

Classification: Warm-season
Region: Transition Zone, Southeast (Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, northern Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, southern Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, southern Ohio)
Heat tolerance: High
Foot traffic tolerance: High
Recommended mowing height: 1 to 2.5 inches
Water needs: 0.5 inch every 2 to 3 weeks; tolerates 3 to 4 weeks of no water
Pros: Very drought resistant, thick, dense turf that crowds out weeds, low fertilization needs
Cons: Slow growth and establishment

Once established, Zoysiagrass is highly drought resistant. It stays green longer than fescue or bluegrass. Its dense mat of roots helps it trap moisture and resist drying out. The trade-off with zoysia is patience. Because it grows slowly, it’s best planted as sod or plugs, in spring. It might take a full season or even two for plugs to knit into a complete lawn.

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4. Tall fescue

Classification: Cool-season
Region: Transition Zone, parts of Northeast and Northwest (Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, parts of New York, Oregon, Washington, northern California)
Heat tolerance: High
Foot traffic tolerance: Moderate to high
Recommended mowing height: 2 to 4 inches
Water needs: .75 inch every 2 weeks; requires some moisture every 2 to 3 weeks
Pros: Deep root system, which makes it drought tolerant when established
Cons: Clump-type growth, commonly needs reseeding since it doesn’t spread fast, and can thin out in prolonged drought

Tall fescue is highly drought-tolerant compared to other cool-season varieties. In the transition zone, it is the best choice. Experts at the North Carolina University Extension say tall fescue may turn brown but can often survive short periods of drought. However, they warn it may not survive a drought that exceeds three weeks.

5. Bahiagrass

Classification: Warm-season
Region: Southeast/Gulf Coast states (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, eastern Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina)
Heat tolerance: High
Foot traffic tolerance: Low
Recommended mowing height: 3 to 4 inches
Water needs: .5 inch every 2 to 3 weeks; endures 3 to 4 weeks without water
Pros: Deep, extensive root system gives it good drought tolerance
Cons: Coarse, open turf texture, not as lush or dense as others

Bahiagrass is used in areas where other grasses struggle. Originally a pasture grass, it’s now valued for being a low-maintenance and highly drought-tolerant lawn. “Because bahiagrass forms an extensive root system, it has better drought tolerance than other Florida lawngrasses,” explains turfgrass experts at the University of Florida Extension.

It needs little fertilizer and has few pest issues. If you prefer a pristine lawn, bahiagrass isn’t for you. But if your goal is a tough, drought-proof grass that can grow in sandy soil, bahiagrass is an excellent choice.

6. Blue grama

blue grama grass — Blue Grama | Olivia Neuhaus | Adobe Stock

Classification: Warm-season
Region: Great Plains, Southwest (Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada)
Heat tolerance: High
Foot traffic tolerance: Low
Recommended mowing height: 4 to 6 inches
Water needs: .25 inch every 3 to 4 weeks; survives 4 to 5 weeks without irrigation
Pros: Drought and heat tolerant; survives in poor, dry soils
Cons: It spreads slowly and turns brown in winter or extreme drought

Blue grama is a native prairie grass that handles drought, heat, and even cold very well. It has fine, delicate leaves and is great for creating a natural, meadow-like lawn that needs very little upkeep. Since it grows in small clumps, it doesn’t form a thick, dense lawn on its own. For a fuller look, mix it with buffalograss, which helps fill in the gaps.

7. St. Augustinegrass

closeup of a section of a lush emerald green lawn of st augustine grass showing the dense pattern and texture of a healthy lawn — St. Augustine Grass | Sarit Richerson | Adobe Stock

Classification: Warm-season
Region: Deep South and Gulf Coast (Florida, southern Georgia, southern Alabama, southern Mississippi, Louisiana, south Texas, Hawaii)
Heat tolerance: High
Foot traffic tolerance: Moderate
Recommended mowing height: 2.5 to 4 inches
Water needs: .5 to 1 inch every 1 to 2 weeks
Pros: Fast growth rate that crowds out most weeds
Cons: Moderate to high potential for diseases and pests

St. Augustinegrass is a heat-loving coastal turfgrass known for its wide blades, fast growth, and moderate shade tolerance. It thrives in warm, humid regions and is often found in southern and coastal areas. This grass establishes quickly and is available as sod, sprigs, or plugs but not as seed.

8. Creeping red fescue

Classification: Cool-season
Region: Northern states, higher elevations (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, northern California, Colorado at higher elevations)
Heat tolerance: Moderate
Foot traffic tolerance: Low
Recommended mowing height: 3 to 3.5 inches
Water needs: .5 to .75 inch every 1 to 2 weeks; needs moisture every 2 weeks
Pros: Excellent drought tolerance for a cool-season grass, and grows in shade and low-nutrient soils
Cons: It doesn’t handle heavy foot traffic well

Creeping red fescue is perfect for shady yards and low-water landscapes. It spreads slowly through underground stems, which helps it fill in patchy areas. This makes it a good choice if you want a more complete lawn cover without a lot of reseeding. It doesn’t need much mowing or fertilizer. It may brown in summer heat, but it bounces back with cooler weather and rain.

For guidance on native grasses, Boley suggests reaching out to your local Extension office or Cooperative Extension Service. They offer expert advice and valuable resources, including native plantings. To find yours, search your county and state along with the word “Extension.”

FAQs about drought-tolerant grasses

What makes a grass drought-tolerant?

Drought-tolerant grasses have deep root systems that reach moisture far below the surface, narrow or waxy leaves that reduce water loss, and the ability to go dormant during dry periods.

What are the benefits of planting drought-tolerant grass?

The benefits are lower water use, reduced maintenance, and lawn resilience during hot, dry weather. These grasses often stay green longer in summer and bounce back faster after drought. They are great for areas with watering restrictions or homeowners looking to cut water bills and support more sustainable landscaping.

Find a pro to manage your drought-tolerant lawn

Choosing the right drought-tolerant grass is a smart move for a resilient yard in dry regions. If you need help maintaining your lawn, LawnLove can connect you with a local professional to cut your grass, aerate your lawn, and overseed bare patches.

Cecilia Acevedo

Cecilia is your home expert with a focus on gardens. When she's not writing about cozy living, she's digging into the world of gardening. Cecilia shares down-to-earth tips to make your outdoor space thrive. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and join her in cultivating a greener life through her stories full of gardening insights and a love for the great outdoors.

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