You may consider spray painting your lawn green if you have brown spots or dead spots. Grass paint improves curb appeal by temporarily boosting your grass’s color. It’s an excellent solution for sprucing up lawns discolored from dormancy, drought, or disease. This article explains what grass paint is and how to paint your lawn green.
What is grass paint?
Grass paint is a non-toxic, water-based pigment that doesn’t block sunlight. It temporarily revitalizes brown or yellowing grass patches. Typically, pulverized kaolin is its main ingredient, but some grass paint is made from decaying plants. Kaolin is a soft stone also used to make toothpaste, ceramic, and medicines.
Why use grass paint?
Grass paint improves the appearance of a discolored lawn. It’s a temporary aesthetic fix deployed while treating the grass’s underlying issues, but it isn’t a replacement for lawn treatment or proper lawn care. It’s like taking a decongestant to alleviate a sinus infection’s symptoms. You’ll need antibiotics to get rid of the infection, but the decongestant will make you feel better in the meantime.
Failing to address the grass’s underlying problem can result in dead grass. Reasons for yellow or brown spots in your grass include:
- Lawn diseases
- Nutritional deficiency
- Drought
- Dormant grass
- Dog urine
The following people can benefit from lawn paint:
- Homeowners with brown or yellowing grass who want the lawn to look nice while waiting for its natural green color to return with time and proper treatment
- Realtors selling a home who want to boost its curb appeal quickly
- Property managers of golf courses and athletic fields
How to paint your lawn green
Next, we explain everything you need to know to paint your lawn green, including:
What you’ll need
You’ll need the following supplies:
- Lawn paint (Check out our reviews of the best grass paints to help you pick a good one.)
- Pump sprayer
- Warm water
What to wear
When painting the lawn, wear the following items:
- Old clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty
- Eye protection
- Gloves
Preparation
Before painting the grass:
- Mow the lawn
- Remove any debris
- Check the weather (avoid painting in rain or strong wind)
- Carefully read the paint’s instructions
- Use a cardboard or plastic screen to protect borders, mulch, and other areas you don’t want painted
- Test a small area to ensure you get the desired color (you can mix in more or less paint to get the right shade)
Steps to lawn painting
Now follow these steps to have a beautiful green lawn instantly:
- Step 1: Dedicate a pump sprayer to painting because the turf paint stains
- Step 2: Shake the paint well
- Step 3: Follow the instructions on the package to mix the paint with warm water. Higher proportions of paint will achieve a deeper green, and higher dilution lightens up the color. You can mix the solution directly in the pump sprayer.
- Step 4: It’s time to start spraying! Start along the grass’s border and work your way inward. You want to spray about 3 – 6 inches from the grass’s surface.
- Step 5: Wait 24 hours before going on the lawn.
How to make grass paint
You can purchase grass paint or make DIY grass paint following these instructions.
What you need
To make green grass paint, you’ll need:
- Epsom salt
- Green food coloring
- Liquid fertilizer (See our reviews of the best lawn fertilizers to help you shop.)
How much to mix
For an average-size lawn mix:
- 4 pounds Epsom salt
- 1/4 cup green food coloring
- 1 pound liquid lawn fertilizer
Alternative ingredients
You also can use these ingredients:
- Water can replace Epsom salt. Epsom salt adds magnesium and iron to the lawn so it can naturally improve its color, but you won’t want to add it to perfectly balanced soil. Do a soil test to find out what the grass needs before applying Epsom salt.
- Turf colorant comes in many colors, and you can use it instead of food coloring.
Pros and cons of painting the lawn
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Boosts curb appeal ✓ Greens up dormant grass ✓ Quick and easy ✓ Non-toxic | ✗ Doesn’t fix underlying problems |
FAQ about grass paint
How long does grass paint last?
Grass paint lasts two to three months, depending on how much pigment you mix in, how often you mow the lawn, and how fast your grass grows.
Is grass paint safe?
Grass paint is safe for humans, pets, and grass. It’s non-toxic, and grass paint doesn’t harm your lawn.
What are the best grass paints?
We researched lawn paint at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart to find the best grass paints, including:
How much does grass paint cost?
Most grass paint costs $10 – $90, with the average container of grass paint costing about $40. Most containers cover 100 – 5,000 sq. ft. of lawn.
When to hire a lawn care pro
If your lawn turns brown or yellow, the best solution is to find a lawn care pro in your area. While grass paint can restore your lawn’s color in the short term, lawn care experts can diagnose and treat your grass’s underlying issues so you can have a lush, deep green lawn for years to come.
Main Photo Credit: Shutterstock
