North Texas lawns face unique challenges due to the region’s climate, which includes occasional frost and periods of drought. From Bermudagrass to Zoysia, find the best grass for your North Texas lawn.
However, if you want to know more about the best grass types for other Texas regions or specific cities, check out these articles:
- The Best Types of Grass for Texas Lawns (statewide)
- The Best Grass Types for Fort Worth
- The Best Grass Types for Dallas
Warm-season grasses (such as Bermudagrass, buffalograss, and Zoysia) thrive in North Texas’s hot, dry summers but lie dormant in the winter. Cool-season grasses (tall fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass) are less widespread, offering benefits but requiring more maintenance.
Warm-season grasses dominate North Texas lawns due to their superior climatic tolerance, but some homeowners plant cool-season cultivars to provide some winter greenery. Choose what is both visually appealing and easy to maintain.
Warm-season grasses for North Texas
Bermudagrass: Best for full sun and high traffic
Bermudagrass is a popular choice for North Texas lawns due to its ability to withstand extreme weather conditions, including heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic. It also boasts an impressive ability to self-repair. However, Bermudagrass does require full sun and regular maintenance to stay healthy. Bermuda is well adapted throughout the region.
Want to become a lawn care legend? Check out the Bermudagrass maintenance calendar for Texas and master the art of Bermudagrass care.
Grass Seed Options:
– Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass (10-lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass (50-lb. bag)
Buffalograss: Best for low-maintenance
Buffalograss is a tough, easy-care grass native to Texas that works well in the north. It needs little water and thrives in sunny spots. You’ll find it flourishing in the Panhandle, northern, and central parts of Texas. However, it doesn’t fare as well in shady areas or places with high humidity.
Buffalograss is perfect for those looking to reduce their lawn maintenance and water usage. Learn more with our guide — “Buffalograss: How to Grow and Care for It” — and roll out the green carpet for your new lawn.
Grass Seed Options:
– Everwilde Farms Buffalograss Seeds (1 lb. of seeds)
St. Augustinegrass: Best for partial shade
St. Augustinegrass is ideal for shaded North Texas lawns in the DFW area and to the regions south and east of the metroplex. It’s renowned for its excellent shade tolerance (relative to other warm-season grasses) and heat resistance, forming a resilient turf that thrives in hot summers. Once established, it’s drought-resistant. It may brown during winter, but quickly recovers in spring.
St. Augustine’s dense growth effectively suppresses weeds, but regular maintenance is crucial for optimal health. For more information, consult our guide: “St. Augustinegrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas.”
Grass Plug Options:
– Seed Ranch St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs (2 Trays)
– Seed Ranch St Augustine Floratam Grass Plugs (2 Trays)
Zoysiagrass: Best for balanced sun and shade
Zoysiagrass is a popular choice due to its versatility. It thrives in both sunny and partially shaded areas, making it ideal for diverse landscapes. Known for its resilience to heat, drought, and wear, this adaptable grass requires minimal maintenance once established. As a result, Zoysiagrass is a common sight in residential lawns, golf courses, and parks across North Texas.
It grows slower than Bermudagrass but forms a dense, weed-resistant turf. For detailed care instructions, see this guide: “Zoysiagrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas.”
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)
Cool-season grasses for North Texas
Cool-season grasses like tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass can function in lieu of warm-season varieties in North Texas lawns, giving you a greener lawn longer. However, they require more water and are less tolerant of heat and humidity, working best in shaded spots where warm-season grasses won’t grow.
Overall, warm-season grasses remain superior for North Texas due to their better climate adaptation.
For more information on cool-season grasses, check out our comprehensive guide to cool-season grasses.
Tall fescue: Best for heat tolerance
Tall fescue, a cool-season grass, is well-suited for partially shaded North Texas lawns. Thanks to its deep roots, it provides year-round partial green color and offers better drought resistance than other cool-season grasses. While adaptable to the North Texas climate, tall fescue requires more water during hot summers.
Keep your fescue growing tall with our guide: “Tall Fescue: How to Grow and Care for It.”
Grass Seed Options:
– Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend (5000 sq ft)
– Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed (choose your size)
– Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix (7 lb.)
Kentucky bluegrass: Best for shaded lawns
A well maintained stand of Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) creates a dense, deep green turf. Among the most widely planted cool-season grasses in the northern U.S., this grass is loved for its dark green hue and soft texture. However, it is susceptible to diseases, has a high water requirement, and is not very heat tolerant.
Kentucky bluegrass is suitable for partial shade lawns in the Panhandle (a blend of several varieties works best). For the rest of North Texas, hybrid bluegrass is recommended. If you’re looking for a bit more resilience in your lawn, plant KBG in a mix with other cool-season grasses like tall fescue and perennial ryegrass.
With the right care, this grass is a dream on bare feet. Keep it lush with our guide: “Kentucky Bluegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.”
Grass Seed Options:
– Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
– SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
The best time to plant grass in Texas
For warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia, the ideal planting time in North Texas is between mid-spring and late spring. Cool-season grasses, on the other hand, are best planted in the fall, between late October and early November.
For detailed information, check out our guide: “The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Texas.”
What to read next
Unlock a treasure trove of lawn care wisdom tailored to make your North Texas lawn greener than your neighbor’s envy. These invaluable insights offer essential information on cultivating a lush, vibrant lawn that thrives in the region’s unique climate. Ready to elevate your lawn care game? Dive into these informative articles:
- When to Aerate Your Lawn in Texas
- When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Texas
- When to Fertilize Your Lawn in North Texas
- The Most Common Weeds in North Texas
- The Best Lawn Fertilizers for Texas
When to call a pro
Ready to transform your North Texas lawn into a lush, green oasis? Let the experts at Lawn Love connect you with local lawn care professionals who understand the unique challenges of the region’s climate. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast looking for expert advice or prefer to leave it to the pros, Lawn Love can help you create the perfect North Texas lawn.
We have local pros ready to help you in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington as well.
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: House in Richardson, Texas | Dorian Wallender | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
