Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and Zoysiagrass are among the best grass types for Texas. These grass varieties lend Texas lawns their unique character, each offering its own charm and promising a lush, green oasis in the Lone Star State.
Texas boasts diverse landscapes and climates: From the arid expanses of West Texas to the humid Gulf Coast, we’ve also crafted regional grass guides to help you select the perfect option for your area:
- The Best Grass for North Texas Lawns
- The Best Grass for Central Texas Lawns
- The Best Grass for East Texas Lawns
- The Best Grass for South Texas Lawns
- The Best Grass for West Texas Lawns
There are two main types of grass: warm-season and cool-season. The choice depends on regional factors, climate, and lawn use. Texas’s hot summers and mild winters favor warm-season grasses, known for their heat tolerance and drought resistance.
Cool-season grasses, like perennial ryegrass, play a minor role and are used in shaded northern lawns, for example, or for winter overseeding.
Warm-season grasses
Warm-season grasses thrive in Texas’s hot climate. While they become dormant during cooler months, their heat and drought tolerance make them ideal for Texas lawns. These grasses grow vigorously in late spring and summer, creating lush, green carpets during peak heat periods.
To learn more about warm-season grasses and enhance your Texas lawn care strategy, check out our guide to warm-season grasses.
Bermudagrass: Best all-around
Bermudagrass is a popular choice for Texas lawns due to its heat and drought tolerance, durability, and fast growth. It thrives in hot climates, preferring full sun exposure for optimal growth. Bermudagrass can be high-maintenance, with regular mowing and fertilizing required, but when well maintained, it is a dream for lush lawn lovers.
Bermudagrass is well-suited across Texas, except in the far West Texas area. It thrives in areas with hot and humid climates, like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. With our guide — “Bermudagrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas” — you can keep your lawn in tip-top shape.
Grass Seed Options:
– Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass (10-lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass (50-lb. bag)
Buffalograss: Best for the Panhandle
Buffalograss, a Texas native, thrives in various landscapes across the state. This eco-friendly grass is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Its deep roots and slow growth rate make it resilient during dry spells and reduce mowing needs. Ideal for sunny areas, buffalograss can handle light shade but struggles in high-traffic areas or deep shade.
Buffalograss thrives in many regions across Texas, especially in the Panhandle, northern and central parts of the state, and all the way down to Zapata and Starr counties. However, it may struggle in the more humid eastern areas or heavily shaded spots.
Get tips on successfully growing Buffalograss with our guide: “Buffalograss: How to Grow and Care for It.”
Grass Seed Options:
– Everwilde Farms Buffalograss Seeds (1 lb. of seeds)
Centipedegrass: Best for East Texas
Centipedegrass is a low-maintenance option, prized for its heat and light shade tolerance, affinity for acidic soils, and minimal fertilizer needs. It forms a dense, weed-resistant turf. However, its poor cold tolerance and low wear resistance make it unsuitable for high-traffic areas or regions prone to winter damage, like in northern Texas.
Centipedegrass is best suited for East Texas, particularly in areas with acidic soils. It thrives in the Piney Woods, including cities like Nacogdoches and Lufkin, south to Brazoria County, where the climate is more humid, and the soil tends to be more acidic.
For a low-maintenance lawn option, centipedegrass is worth considering. Our article — “Centipedegrass: How to Grow and Care for It” — provides detailed information on this Texas-friendly grass.
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)
Seashore paspalum: Best for the Gulf Coast and South Texas
Seashore paspalum is a top choice for some Texas lawns due to its salt and drought tolerance and heat resistance, but it can be high maintenance. It thrives in hot climates and is ideal for golf courses and high-end lawns. This grass establishes quickly, recovers well from heavy use, and has deep roots that help prevent erosion and promote resilience.
Seashore paspalum is well-suited for coastal areas, particularly along the Gulf Coast, and South Texas. It thrives in regions around Galveston, Corpus Christi, and Houston, where it can tolerate the high salinity levels and occasional flooding from storm surges.
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 for South and East Texas
St. Augustinegrass thrives in hot, humid environments and boasts excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass. While it demands regular watering and upkeep, this grass adapts readily to various soil types, creating a lush, attractive turf. Its adaptability has made it a favorite among Texas homeowners seeking a moderate-maintenance lawn.
St. Augustinegrass thrives in the humid eastern and coastal areas of Texas. It’s particularly well-suited for Houston, the Gulf Coast region, and East Texas cities like Tyler and Beaumont. Want to ensure your St. Augustine flourishes? Check out 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 North, Central, and East Texas
Zoysiagrass is a popular choice for Texas lawns due to its excellent heat and drought tolerance, as well as its ability to thrive in both sun and partial shade. This grass type forms a dense, carpet-like turf that is resistant to wear and requires less frequent mowing compared to other grasses. Zoysiagrass is also known for its cold tolerance, making it suitable in cooler regions.
Zoysiagrass grows best in North, Central, and East Texas. You can learn more about the lush lawn turf in our guide: ”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)
– Zoysia Emerald Grass Seeds (1/8 lb. of seeds)
– Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds (1/8 lb. of seeds
Cool-season grasses
Cool-season grasses, while less prevalent, serve a purpose in the Panhandle and North Texas. These grasses thrive in cooler temperatures and are primarily used for lawns to stay greener in the winter or in shaded areas. Although they struggle during hot summers, cool-season grasses provide a lush green color in fall and spring when warm-season grasses lie dormant.
Learn more about cool-season grasses with our guide to cool-season grasses.
Kentucky bluegrass: Best for shaded areas
Kentucky bluegrass can grow in Texas but is challenging to cultivate due to the state’s hot climate. However, it can be maintained in cooler northern regions under specific conditions. This grass type demands regular watering and upkeep but may struggle during scorching summers.
Kentucky Bluegrass is best suited for the Texas Panhandle and parts of North Texas with milder summers. It can be used mixed with other cool-season grasses in shaded areas, sheltered from the Texas sun’s baking heat.
Discover the secrets to cultivating a lush, vibrant lawn with our comprehensive 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.)
Perennial ryegrass: Best for quick establishment and overseeding
Perennial ryegrass, a cool-season grass, is primarily used in Texas for winter overseeding on Bermuda lawns or for quick erosion control on new homesites. Because it is not heat- or drought-tolerant, it is only used as permanent lawn grass in irrigated High Plains lawns.
Get the secrets to growing this cool-season grass with our guide: ”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)
Tall fescue: Best for heat tolerance
Tall fescue is a cool-season grass that is suitable for the northern regions of Texas. It is known for its ability to tolerate both heat and cold. Its deep roots contribute to its drought tolerance and ability to stay partially green year-round in milder climates.
Tall fescue thrives in Northeastern Texas, including DFW, and the northern parts of the Panhandle, where milder temperatures and higher rainfall create ideal conditions. However, it struggles in South and West Texas.
Learn how to cultivate a robust, heat-tolerant lawn with our comprehensive 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.)
What to read next
Once you’ve chosen the right grass type, proper maintenance is key to a healthy, beautiful lawn. Here are some essential lawn care resources for Texas homeowners:
- The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Texas
- When to Aerate Your Lawn in Texas
- When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Texas
- When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Texas
- The Most Common Texas Weeds
- The Best Lawn Fertilizers for Texas
FAQ: Grass for Texas lawns
What is the easiest grass to grow in Texas?
Bermudagrass is generally considered the easiest grass to grow in Texas due to its quick establishment, drought tolerance, and ability to thrive in various soil types. However, Bermuda is considered a moderate to high-maintenance grass, so if you want a beautiful Bermuda lawn, be prepared to mow, fertilize, and keep up with other lawn chores.
What grass stays green all year in Texas?
While no grass naturally stays green year-round in Texas, St. Augustinegrass and Zoysiagrass tend to retain their color longer than other types. For some winter green, consider overseeding Bermuda with perennial ryegrass in the fall.
What is the best grass for sandy soil in Texas?
Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass are well-suited for sandy soils in Texas. They have deep root systems that can penetrate sandy soil and are more drought-tolerant, which is beneficial in quick-draining sandy conditions.
When to call a pro
Maintaining a perfect lawn in Texas can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Lawn Love offers professional lawn care services tailored to Texas lawns. Our experts understand the unique needs of different grass types and can help you achieve the lush, green lawn you’ve always wanted.
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Main Image Credit: Michael Barera | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0
