- Warm-season grasses<\/a>
- Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li>
- Midiron<\/a><\/li>
- Tifway<\/a><\/li>
- Palmetto St. Augustinegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Buffalograss<\/a><\/li>
- Blue grama<\/a><\/li>
- Zoysiagrass<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Cool-season grass<\/a>
- Kentucky bluegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Perennial ryegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Tall fescue<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Warm-season grasses<\/span><\/h2>
![\"growth](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass.jpg\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Arizona\u2019s reputation for being hot, hot, hot is accurate for much of the state. So for summertime, most lawns need drought resistance and low water needs. Summer grass, or warm-season grass, prefers temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees, tolerates temperatures as high as 110 degrees, and will go dormant at 60 degrees.<\/p>
It\u2019s important to note that higher elevations of Arizona may not need summer lawns. For example, Flagstaff\u2019s average temperatures barely break 80 degrees, so they might keep their winter (cool-season) grass year-round, or at least until the snow blows in.<\/p>
But for most of Arizona, you\u2019ll need hot-tolerant, warm-season summer grass. Here are your best options.<\/p>
Bermudagrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/bermudagrass.jpg\")
Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Bermudagrass is perfect for Arizona\u2019s hot, dry weather. It spreads quickly by underground shoots (rhizomes) and above-ground runners (stolons). Because it propagates by rhizomes and stolons, its seed heads don\u2019t produce seed, nor does it produce pollen. Bermudagrass<\/a> struggles in full-shade.<\/p>
There are many cultivars of Bermudagrass, each having positive characteristics. Let\u2019s look at the two best cultivars for Arizona, Midiron and Tifway.<\/p>
Midiron<\/span><\/h3>
Midiron Bermuda is very low-maintenance and recovers easily from foot traffic, making it perfect for family homes. It handles shallow soil, lots of sun, and high heat. Midiron Bermuda sprouts up soft, moderately dense, medium-textured with a bright, medium green color. It survives colder winter temperatures better than most cultivars by going dormant early.<\/p>
Where it thrives in Arizona<\/strong>: Midiron does weill in southern cities like Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and most locations under 3,500 feet elevation, including Kingman and Mesquite.<\/p>
Tifway<\/span><\/h3>
![\"tifway](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/tifway-1.jpg\")
cultivar413<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Tifway is similar to Midiron but has more aesthetic appeal. It is finer and denser, and the color is a darker, bluish green. Because of its high foot traffic tolerance, it\u2019s a popular choice for residential and commercial lawns, golf courses, and athletic fields. It has good weed resistance, too.<\/p>
Where it thrives in Arizona<\/strong>: Tifway thrives in southern cities like Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and most locations under 3,500 feet elevation, including Kingman and Mesquite.<\/p>
Palmetto St. Augustinegrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/St.-Augustine.jpeg\")
Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Palmetto St. Augustinegrass is a semi-dwarf native cultivar. It has a finer texture and better color than standard St. Augustinegrass<\/a>. The fine, rounded-tip blades make the turf soft to the touch. It remains an emerald green until after several hard frosts but will remain green if there are no hard frosts. It\u2019s extremely shade tolerant, even compared to other St. Augustine cultivars.<\/p>
Where it thrives in Arizona<\/strong>: Southern and central low deserts. Under 3500 feet elevation. Avoid it if you get snow on your lawn in the winter.<\/p>
Buffalograss<\/span><\/h3>
![\"buffalograss\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/3139246071_47110d3ef9_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: John Tann<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> An Arizona native, Buffalograss is low-growing and very low maintenance. It tolerates drought and high heat and needs little supplemental nutrition. Buffalograss<\/a> spreads by above-ground stolons but doesn\u2019t have underground rhizomes, making containment easier than other grasses like Bermudagrass. Its fine texture makes for a soft, welcoming lawn.<\/p>
Where it thrives in Arizona<\/strong>: Lower areas in south and central Arizona (Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Mesquite, etc). Grows below 6,500 feet in elevation, but best below 5,000 feet.<\/p>
Blue grama<\/span><\/h3>
![\"a](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Blue_grama-1.jpeg\")
SEWilco<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Blue grama is also native to Arizona and makes a soft, fine-bladed, blue-green lawn. It\u2019s also used as an ornamental grass in xeriscapes, rock gardens, etc. It\u2019s the most drought-tolerant native grass, even more so than buffalograss, and only needs 7 inches of water annually. It grows in elevations up to 7,500 feet as long as temperatures don\u2019t drop too low.<\/p>
Where it thrives in Arizona<\/strong>: Able to grow throughout most of the state, except in elevations above 7,500 feet (like Greer and Edgar). Grows best below 3,500 feet elevation in the lower areas of south and central Arizona (Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Mesquite, etc.).<\/p>
Zoysiagrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"zoysiagrass\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/zoysiagrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Zoysiagrass produces an attractive thick, emerald-green lawn. It tolerates the cold and is a great \u201cbarefoot\u201d lawn and grows slowly, reducing maintenance needs. While Zoysiagrass<\/a> has lots of benefits, it prefers acidic soil. To thrive in Arizona\u2019s naturally alkaline soil, it\u2019ll need regular amendments.<\/p>
Where it thrives in Arizona<\/strong>: Warm-season and transition zones throughout the state that have elevations lower than 5,000 feet and at least a four-month growing season.<\/p>
Cool-season grass<\/span><\/h2>
When the temperature drops, your warm-season grass goes dormant. To keep it green, overseed with cool-season grasses. They prefer daytime temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees and nighttime temperatures of 50 degrees. They\u2019ll go dormant when temperatures regularly drop below 40 degrees or climb above 90 degrees.<\/p>
Some areas may not need cool-season grass for winter. For example, Tucson\u2019s average temperatures barely dip below 70 degrees. But for most of Arizona, these are the best cool-season grasses. <\/p>
Kentucky bluegrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kentucky-grass-1.jpg\")
Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Nicknamed “high elevation Bermuda,\u201d Kentucky bluegrass<\/a> (KBG) is a popular cool-season grass that thrives in elevations above 5,500 feet. The grass is soft, thin, and dark bluish-green. It spreads via rhizomes. It\u2019s great for erosion control, lawns, and athletic fields. While there are many varieties of KBG, the Midwestern varieties are best for Arizona lawns.<\/p>
Note<\/strong>: If not managed, Kentucky bluegrass can become weedy. According to University of Arizona Cooperative Extension<\/a>, \u201cKentucky bluegrass can easily escape home landscapes and take over natural areas, particularly where there is additional moisture. It will outcompete more desirable native plants and reduce plant diversity and favorable wildlife habitat.\u201d<\/p>
Where it thrives in Arizona<\/strong>: This grass is excellent for Flagstaff, Prescott, Page, Sedona, etc. Communities around Grand Canyon National Park do well with this grass mixed with tall fescue for a better look during the summer.<\/p>
Perennial ryegrass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"pyrennial](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pyrennial-ryegrass-1-1.jpeg\")
Aaron Patton | Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Perennial ryegrass thrives at lower elevations, where it\u2019s used to overseed summer lawns (often Bermudagrass) to give homeowners a winning winter lawn. At higher elevations, it\u2019s used in a Kentucky bluegrass mix. <\/p>
For both elevations, overseed in October. Perennial ryegrass<\/a> germinates fast, sprouts quickly, and has soft, thin, medium-green leaves. <\/p>
Where it thrives in Arizona<\/strong>: It grows throughout Arizona. Below 4,500 feet, it grows in winter and goes dormant in June. Above 4,500 feet, it grows year-round, or until temperatures regularly drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>
Tall fescue<\/span><\/h3>
![\"tall](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tall-fescue-1.jpg\")
Aaron Patton | Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Tall fescue is a heat-tolerant, cool-season grass, making it excellent for transition zone lawns. It\u2019s a bunch-type, coarse-textured, medium- to dark-green grass that\u2019s often used in a mixture of KBG, perennial ryegrass, or both. It can be grown as a tall fescue-only lawn but can look clumpy due to its bunch type. It has no stolons or rhizomes and spreads via seeds.<\/p>
Where it thrives in Arizona<\/strong>: Tall fescue<\/a> grows well in Flagstaff and the cities that outline the mountain down the hill. It grows best in areas between about 3,500 feet and 7,500 feet in elevation.<\/p>
Should I Hire a Professional?<\/p>
Lawn maintenance is a common and relatively easy DIY task. However, it\u2019s time-consuming, requires following a schedule, and is physically laborious. And in the Arizona heat, spending that much time outside is brutal. If you don\u2019t have the time, energy, or desire to maintain your lawn, you\u2019re not alone. Homeowners throughout Arizona are turning to professionals for help.<\/p>
But finding a lawn care company that\u2019s reliable, affordable, and effective is more daunting than your lawn maintenance. That\u2019s where Lawn Love can help. Our lawn care pro<\/a>s are great for your yard and easy on your wallet. <\/p>
\t\t\t\t\t\tSources<\/strong><\/p> \t\t\t
<\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t- University of Arizona: Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li>
- University of Arizona: Buffalograss<\/a><\/li>
- US Department of Agriculture: Blue Grama<\/a><\/li>
- University of Arizona: Growth Characteristics and Identification of Desert Turfgrass<\/a><\/li>
- University of Arizona: Kentucky Bluegrass<\/a><\/li>
- University of Arizona: Perennial Ryegrass<\/a><\/li>
- University of Arizona: Tall fescue<\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>
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.<\/em><\/p>
Main Image Credit: Zarxos<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The best grass for southern Arizona includes Bermudagrass and buffalograss. Kentucky bluegrass is great for northern Arizona.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":24921,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[172],"tags":[571],"class_list":["post-24911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arizona","tag-lawn-care-az"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/house-in-arizona-1.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Judith van der Weij","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/judith-gallova\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24911"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24911\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- University of Arizona: Buffalograss<\/a><\/li>
- Perennial ryegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Midiron<\/a><\/li>
- Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li>