The Best Grass for Central Texas Lawns

lawn in front of texas white house

Discover the best grass types for your Central Texas lawn, from sun-loving Bermudagrass to native buffalograss. Learn which grasses can help create a beautiful, durable lawn in the Heart of Texas.

For more resources on the best grass for your lawn, take a look at the following articles:

Bermudagrass: Best for high traffic

Bermuda grass background.
tammykayphoto | Adobe Stock | License

Bermudagrass is a popular choice for Central Texas lawns due to its high tolerance to heat and drought and overall resilience. This grass creates a dense turf that can endure considerable foot traffic and recovers fast from damage. Bermudagrass thrives in full sun, and even though it requires frequent mowing, its durability makes it a favorite among homeowners.

Follow our “Bermudagrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas” to keep your lawn lush and thriving in the Heart of Texas.

Grass Seed Options:
Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass (10-lb. bag)
Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass (50-lb. bag)

Buffalograss: Best for drought

buffalograss
John Tann | Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Buffalograss, a Texas native, is ideal for low-maintenance Central Texas lawns. This drought-tolerant grass becomes water-efficient once established, creating a soft, blue-green turf. Perfect for eco-friendly landscapes, it offers a beautiful, low-effort lawn option. However, it does have limitations in shaded and high-traffic areas.

Once established, buffalograss requires minimal care. However, its naturally sparse growth pattern makes weed invasion an ongoing challenge. For more information, check out our guide: “Buffalograss: How to Grow and Care for It.”

Grass Seed Options:
Everwilde Farms Buffalograss Seeds (1 lb. of seeds)

Texas bluegrass: Best as a low-traffic ground cover

Texas bluegrass, a hybrid grass, blends the characteristics of the native Texas bluegrass with Kentucky bluegrass. It thrives in sun or partial shade, like under trees, and can maintain its green color year-round. 

This grass is drought-tolerant but doesn’t withstand moderate or heavy foot traffic, so it’s best as a ground cover in less used areas of your yard. Its low-maintenance nature makes it an excellent choice for busy homeowners.

Unlike the others on this list, Texas bluegrass is a cool-season grass and should be planted in the fall, between late October and early November. For more on when to plant your new lawn, check out our guide — “The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Texas” — to learn more.

Zoysiagrass: Best for low-maintenance

Zoysiagrass lawn
Forest & Kim Starr | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0

Zoysiagrass offers a low-maintenance solution for Central Texas lawns. It creates a dense, weed-resistant turf that withstands moderate foot traffic and is known for its drought and heat tolerance. This grass thrives in full sun but doesn’t grow quickly like Bermuda. This slow growth means it needs less frequent mowing — a big benefit for busy homeowners.

Low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance, though. Follow our Zoysiagrass maintenance calendar for Texas for easy-to-follow care for a beautiful lawn.

Grass Plug and Seed Options:
Zoysia Plugs (50 Large Grass Plugs)
Zoysia Plugs (50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)
Zoysia Plugs (100 Plugs)
Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds (1/8 lb. of seeds)

With the right grass type and proper care, you can enjoy a beautiful, resilient lawn that thrives in the Central Texas climate. Remember to adapt your lawn care practices to the specific needs of your chosen grass type and local conditions for the best results.

For more in-depth information on lawn care in Texas, check out our related articles:

When to call a pro

While maintaining your lawn can be a rewarding DIY project, there are times when professional help is invaluable. For expert assistance with your Central Texas lawn, contact Lawn Love for a free quote from a local lawn care pro. Our experienced team in Austin, Killeen, and other nearby cities can help you achieve and maintain the lush, healthy lawn you’ve always wanted.

Lawn Love participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Lawn Love may earn revenue from products promoted in this article.

Main Image Credit: Texas White House | Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore | Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Raven Wisdom

Raven Wisdom is a screenwriter from West Texas and a proud mom of two in an autism family. Self-described as "half-feral but mostly harmless," Raven loves houseplants, a good laugh, and furry friends.