South Carolina’s Lowcountry is famous for its naturally beautiful beaches. The best grasses for coastal South Carolina include Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, and other grasses that can adapt to the warm climate and coastal conditions.
This article will focus on the best grasses for coastal South Carolina. To learn more about the grasses for the entire state and its other regions, check our articles:
- The Best Grass for South Carolina Lawns
- The Best Grass for Upstate South Carolina
- The Best Grass for Central South Carolina
Bermudagrass: Best for full sun
Bermudagrass is a great option for oceanfront homes and is tolerant of salt, traffic, and drought. However, because it has poor shade tolerance, it should not be planted under tree canopies or in shaded areas. Bermudagrass grows quickly and requires the highest mowing frequency out of the other grasses on this list. It also tends to accumulate thatch.
Because it turns brown in winter, overseeding Bermudagrass with perennial or annual ryegrass is common in South Carolina. Learn more about this turfgrass in our guide: “Bermudagrass: How to Grow and Care for It.”
Grass Seed Options:
– Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass (10-lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass (50-lb. bag)
Bahiagrass: Best for sandy soil
Bahiagrass is frequently thought of as a weed due to its invasive growth habit. However, this grass can be cultivated as turfgrass, forming a drought- and heat-tolerant turf. And if you have sandy soil, know that bahiagrass can thrive in sandy, acidic lawns in South Carolina.
With a bahiagrass lawn, you will need to mow frequently. Otherwise, it produces a low-maintenance yard, having no problems with diseases and thatch. Learn more about growing bahiagrass as turfgrass in our guide: “Bahiagrass: How to Grow and Care for It.”
Pro Tip: According to Clemson University, bahiagrass has very poor salt tolerance. For that reason, it is best suited for counties in the inner part of coastal South Carolina, such as Barnwell, Calhoun, Lee, and Darlington.
Grass Seed Options
Pensacola Bahiagrass:
– SeedRanch Pensacola Bahiagrass Seed (10 lb. bag)
– Hancock’s Pensacola Bahia Grass Seed – Coated – 5 lbs.
Argentine Bahiagrass:
– Scotts Turf Builder Argentine Bahiagrass (10 lb. bag)
Seashore paspalum: Best salt-tolerance
And the best salt tolerance award goes to… seashore paspalum. One of the best grasses for Charleston, seashore paspalum is particularly recommended for areas with frequent saltwater intrusions and sandy soils. With poor shade and cold tolerance, this turf is perfect for sunny, open areas in coastal South Carolina.
Other advantages are that seashore paspalum has moderate maintenance needs, a low risk for diseases, and low thatch formation.
Grass Seed and Sod Options:
– Seed Ranch SeaShore Paspalum Coated Grass Seed – 1 lb.
– Seed World SeaShore Paspalum Grass Seeds (various amounts)
– Other places to purchase seashore paspalum sod
St. Augustinegrass: Best shade-tolerance
Similarly to seashore paspalum, St. Augustinegrass also has excellent salt tolerance. However, while seashore paspalum prefers salty soils and has poor shade tolerance, St. Augustinegrass can grow in various soils and withstand shade. In fact, St. Augustinegrass is the most shade-tolerant of the warm-season grasses.
St. Augustinegrass is one of the best grasses for Myrtle Beach and the South Carolina Coastal Plain, forming an attractive, blue-green lawn. It is important to note, however, that St. Augustinegrass has poor cold tolerance and can suffer winter injury when grown on the northern coast of the state.
Learn how to care for this turf in our article: “St. Augustinegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.”
Grass Plug Options:
– Seed Ranch St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs (2 Trays)
– Seed Ranch St Augustine Floratam Grass Plugs (2 Trays)
Zoysiagrass: Best high-maintenance lawn
Another shade-tolerant option, Zoysiagrass is a high-maintenance turf that displays a vivid dark-green color. Zoysia grows in a variety of soil conditions and has a good salt tolerance, making it suitable for the entire Coastal Plain of South Carolina. The best cultivars for the coast are ‘Cashmere’ and ‘Compadre.’
Zoysiagrass has impressive cold tolerance for a warm-season grass and also tolerates drought well. If you live on the northern coast of South Carolina (Pee Dee region), and want a shade-tolerant grass, Zoysiagrass can be a cold-tolerant alternative to St. Augustinegrass.
Learn what goes into maintaining a Zoysiagrass lawn in our article: “Zoysiagrass: How to Grow and Care for It.”
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)
Centipedegrass: Best for acidic soils
Well adapted to South Carolina’s Coastal Plain, centipedegrass is another good choice for those who want a low-maintenance lawn. Its apple-green, low-growing turf grows in environments where most grasses have a hard time adapting: acidic, infertile soils that are well-drained. However, its nematode susceptibility limits its use in deep sandy soils.
Centipedegrass has fair drought and shade tolerance, but poor salinity and wear tolerance. Learn more about centipede lawns in our guide: “Centipedegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.”
Grass Seed Options:
– Gulf Kist Coated Centipedegrass Seeds (1 lb.)
– Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Centipedegrass (3.75 lbs.)
– TifBlair Centipedegrass (5-lb. bag)
Carpetgrass: Best for wet soils
If you have wet, acidic soil and no other grass works on your lawn, carpetgrass might work as your last option. Like Bahiagrass, carpetgrass is not fond of salinity, making it best suited for the inner counties of the Coastal Plain. Carpetgrass is a low-maintenance turf that offers a light green color.
The main downsides of carpetgrass are its poor drought and wear tolerance, besides its “ragged” and “unkept” look. The cultivar ‘Chase’ is an improved variety that can offer a better appearance.
Check our article to learn more about carpetgrass: “Carpetgrass: How to Grow and Care for It.”
Grass Seed Option:
– Carpetgrass seeds (coated) (2 lbs.)
When to call a pro
If you’re having trouble keeping up with your lawn tasks, know that we have qualified experts in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island, and throughout coastal South Carolina waiting to help you out. Contact our lawn care pros today and get your lawn in shape.
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: The Cuthbert Inn, a Bed and Breakfast historic home on Bay Street in City of Beaufort, South Carolina | Farrargirl | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0
