In southern Nevada, both warm-season grasses like Bermuda and cool-season grasses like tall fescue can be used. However, the best grass for southern Nevada is definitely artificial grass, thanks to its ability to withstand the dry climate and minimize water usage.
But if you want to know the best grass for other Nevada regions or Nevada grass alternatives, check out our article: The Best Grass for Nevada Lawns.
Let’s take a look at each of these grass types, so you can choose the best one for your lawn:
Artificial grass
Due to Lake Mead’s low water level, Nevada has implemented a new law for southern Nevada that prohibits nonfunctional turf, such as those in public sidewalks, parking lots, and multi-family homes. (You can read more about this in our article: Is Grass Illegal in Las Vegas?)
While single-family residences can still have lawns, many homeowners are opting to replace their real turfgrass with artificial grass, especially since the Southern Nevada Water Authority currently offers rebates for those who make the switch.
However, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to sacrifice the beauty of your yard. Modern artificial grass can feel soft to the touch and bring life to your landscape. Here are some additional benefits:
- It won’t go into dormancy, no matter how hot the summer or how cold the winter is.
- It is low-maintenance, and doesn’t require mowing, watering, or fertilizing.
- It saves water, a crucial factor in southern Nevada.
- It won’t get damaged by dog pee, weeds, or lawn diseases.
Warm-season grasses
Warm-season grasses are more heat-tolerant and typically need less water than other grass types, making them a popular choice in southern Nevada. Here are the best warm-season grasses for the region:
Bermudagrass: Best grass for high foot traffic
Bermuda is one of the most common grasses in southern Nevada and is considered one of the best grasses for Las Vegas. Its toughness makes it perfect for desert landscapes, as it can withstand heavy foot traffic and drought conditions while recovering quickly from damage due to its deep roots.
However, Bermudagrass might not be ideal if you have shade in your yard, as it prefers full sun conditions. Additionally, you may need to overseed it with perennial ryegrass in the colder season to maintain a green lawn all year. Read more in our article: 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)
Zoysiagrass: Best grass for drought conditions
Zoysiagrass is renowned for its exceptional drought resistance, making it the most likely to survive the dryness of southern Nevada. It is also the most cold-tolerant of all warm-season grasses, ensuring it won’t suffer during the winter months.
However, Zoysia does have a downside: Its growth is slow. This means it will take longer to establish and recover from damage compared to other grass types. For more information, check out our Zoysiagrass Guide.
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)
Buffalograss: Best grass for low-mow lawns
Buffalograss is another excellent option for southern Nevada lawns due to it being one of the most low-maintenance grasses available. It requires very little mowing and almost no water once it is established.
However, buffalograss does not perform well in sandy soils, which are common in desert landscapes near Las Vegas. So, before choosing this grass, make sure you know the type of soil in your yard. Read more about this grass in our guide: Buffalograss: How to Grow and Care for It.
Grass Seed Options:
– Everwilde Farms Buffalograss Seeds (1 lb. of seeds)
– Buffalograss seed (primed) (5-lb. bag)
St. Augustinegrass: Best grass for shaded yards
Although St. Augustinegrass is not the most common grass in southern Nevada, it can still grow there and is favored by some homeowners due to its shade tolerance — the highest among warm-season grasses.
On the other hand, St. Augustine requires frequent mowing to maintain its appearance, and can be susceptible to certain pests and diseases. You can learn more about this grass’s maintenance in our guide: 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)
Cool-season grasses
Cool-season grasses thrive in colder temperatures and can withstand cold winters. However, they will enter a state of dormancy during the hot summer months, and they typically require more water than other grass types. Here are the best cool-season grasses for southern Nevada:
Tall fescue: Best grass for challenging soils
Tall fescue is a resilient cool-season grass that performs well in southern Nevada thanks to its ability to thrive in challenging soils, including the alkaline soils common in the area, due to its extensive root system. This grass is capable of withstanding both hot and cold temperatures, but it will go dormant in summer.
Dwarf fescue varieties like ‘Emerald Carpet’, a type of tall fescue, are particularly common. More information about tall fescue can be found in 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.)
Fine fescue: Best low-maintenance grass
Fine fescues are among the easiest grasses to care for, requiring little mowing and being highly drought tolerant. Unlike buffalograss, another low-maintenance option for southern Nevada, fine fescues can withstand sandy soils, making them a great choice for many southern Nevada lawns.
Creeping red fescue, a type of fine fescue, is commonly used for homeowners looking for shade tolerance. However, fine fescues, in general, do not tolerate heat well, and may go dormant sooner than expected during the hot months. Learn more about this grass in our guide: Fine Fescue: How to Grow and Care for It.
Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed (choose your size)
– Outsidepride Creeping Red Fine Fescue Grass Seed (25 lbs.)
Kentucky bluegrass: Best grass for cold winters
Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) is one of the most durable and cold-tolerant cool-season grasses. However, this grass will go dormant during droughts, which can be a challenge in Nevada’s dry climate. This is why it is only recommended to use it in a mixture with other turfgrasses and with heat-resistant varieties. On the positive side, KBG has the ability to self-repair, filling in damaged areas.
However, KBG is very sensitive to the intense heat of southern Nevada and it has a high water requirement. So, you might want to consider getting a rebate to remove it and opt for more water-saving options if you live in an area of southern Nevada with water restrictions.
Tip: Read about how to care for KBG in the article: 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.)
Perennial ryegrass: Best grass for overseeding
Perennial ryegrass is renowned for its rapid germination and establishment, making it a popular choice for overseeding Bermuda lawns in southern Nevada. This grass quickly thickens up thinning lawns and repairs bare patches, besides being useful to add color to a Bermuda lawn during cooler temperatures.
However, perennial ryegrass is not heat-resistant and will often die out as temperatures rise. Discover more about this grass type in our article: Perennial Ryegrass: How to Grow and Care for It.
Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed (choose your size)
FAQ about grass in southern Nevada
What are southern Nevada’s planting zones?
Understanding your specific planting zone is crucial for selecting the right plants for your Nevada lawn. Nevada’s planting zones range from 4a to 10a, while southern Nevada falls within planting zones 6a to 10a.
What grows best in southern Nevada?
The best plants for southern Nevada are native plants, which are already adapted to the region’s soil and climate. These plants require very little maintenance to thrive.
Here are some of the best native plants for southern Nevada:
- Silver carpet (Dymondia margaretae)
- Angelina stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’)
- Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia)
- Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis)
- Staghorn cholla (Cylindropuntia versicolor)
- Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
- Desert needlegrass (Achnatherum speciosum)
When should I water my lawn in southern Nevada?
The best time to water your lawn in southern Nevada is in the early morning, ideally before sunrise. This timing minimizes evaporation, allowing your grass to absorb the water before it dissipates. As for which days to water, this will depend on local regulations and the time of year.
For more tailored information, check out our guides:
Call a professional
Caring for a lawn in the Mojave Desert area is not easy and can often feel like an endless battle. Fortunately, you’re not alone. You can call a local lawn pro to assist you in taking care of your lawn or to help you change your landscape into a xeriscape.
We have professionals in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Spring Valley, Paradise, and Summerlin ready to help you achieve a beautiful landscape while you hit the jackpot at the casino.
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Main Image Credit: Shutterstock
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