- Bahiagrass<\/a><\/li>
- Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li>
- Centipedegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Seashore Paspalum<\/a><\/li>
- St. Augustinegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Zoysiagrass<\/a><\/li>
- Best grass seed for South Florida<\/a><\/li>
- Best grass seed for Central Florida<\/a><\/li>
- Best grass seed for North Florida<\/a><\/li>
- Best grass seed for a winter lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Frequently asked questions about Florida grass<\/a>
- What is the best grass seed for sandy soil?<\/a><\/li>
- What is the best grass seed for shade in Florida?<\/a><\/li>
- What is the best low-maintenance grass for Florida?<\/a><\/li>
- What is the best grass for dogs in Florida?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Bahiagrass<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Bahia](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/24854989872_453b8a1dc0_c-1.jpg\")
Forest and Kim Starr<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Bahiagrass is a coarse-textured, light-green grass introduced to the US from Brazil in 1914. Its deep, extensive root system makes it one of the best grasses for sandy soil. While it has many positives, Bahiagrass isn\u2019t a picturesque turfgrass. Its open and sparse growth habit makes it susceptible to weeds. It\u2019s often used on large lawns and lawns without an irrigation system.<\/p>
Pros:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2713 Low water and fertilizer requirements
\u2713 Low-maintenance
\u2713 Deep roots
\u2713 Does well in infertile and sandy soils
\u2713 Ideal grass for large acreage lawns needing a low-maintenance ground cover
\u2713 Few insect and disease problems
\u2713 Thatch is not generally a concern
\u2713 Establish from seed or sod<\/p>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2717 Doesn\u2019t produce a dense carpet of grass
\u2717 Seed stems will dull mower blades quickly
\u2717 Seed heads can be an eyesore if not mowed regularly
\u2717 Only a few varieties are available for home lawns
\u2717 Lack of density (\u201copen growth habit\u201d) may leave space for weeds to grow<\/p>Bahiagrass cultivars for Florida<\/strong>: Pensacola Bahiagrass, Paraguay 22 Bahiagrass, and Argentine Bahiagrass<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:<\/strong><\/p>
Pensacola Bahiagrass:<\/p>
- Hancock Seed Co. Pensacola Bahiagrass Seed<\/a> (5 lb. bag)<\/li>
- SeedRanch Pensacola Bahiagrass Seed<\/a> (10 lb. bag)<\/li> <\/ul>
Argentine Bahiagrass:<\/p>
- Scotts Turf Builder Argentine Bahiagrass<\/a> (10 lb. bag)<\/li>
- Hancock Seed Co. Argentine Bahiagrass Seed Mix<\/a> (25 lb. bag)<\/li> <\/ul>
For more information, check out Bahiagrass: How to Grow and Care for It<\/a>.<\/p>
Bermudagrass<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Bermudagrass](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/512px-Starr-180421-0007-Cynodon_dactylon-habit-Honolua_Lipoa_Point-Maui_43410168462-1.jpg\")
Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 US<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Bermudagrass is a fine-textured, medium-to-dark green, densely-growing grass that thrives throughout Florida. It\u2019s prevalent on residential and commercial lawns as well as golf courses and athletic fields. Because it grows quickly, it rarely sprouts weeds. If you see them, you likely have a turf problem. However, the aggressive growth means it can invade gardens and flowerbeds.<\/p>
Pros:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2713 High foot traffic tolerance
\u2713 Recovers from damage quickly
\u2713 Deep roots
\u2713 Drought resistant
\u2713 Grows quickly
\u2713 Low to moderate water needs
\u2713 Improved common bermudagrass feels soft underfoot
\u2713 Good salt tolerance
\u2713 Dense turf<\/p>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2717 Low shade tolerance
\u2717 Low cold tolerance
\u2717 Can spread aggressively into gardens, flower beds, or other lawns
\u2717 Frequent mowing
\u2717 Low insect tolerance
\u2717 Tends to develop thatch<\/p>Bermudagrass cultivars for Florida<\/strong>: Celebration, Tifway 419, Latitude 36<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:<\/strong><\/p>
- Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass<\/a> (10-lb. bag)<\/li>
- Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass<\/a> (50-lb. bag)<\/li> <\/ul>
For more information, check out Bermudagrass: How to Grow and Care for It<\/a>.<\/p>
Centipedegrass<\/span><\/h2>
![\"centipedegrass\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/centipedegrass.jpg\")
Michael Rivera<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Introduced to the US from southeastern Asia in 1916, centipedegrass is an apple-green, medium-textured, smooth, slow-growing turfgrass. It\u2019s common in central and northern Florida, particularly the panhandle. It\u2019s called \u201cthe lazy man\u2019s grass\u201d due to its low fertilization and mowing requirements. It will not work as a beach-side home lawn due to salt intolerance.<\/p>
Pros:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2713 Low mowing frequency
\u2713 Low fertilizer requirements
\u2713 Tolerates infertile soils
\u2713 Grow via seed, sod, plugs, or sprigs
\u2713 Dense, stoloniferous growth habit crowds out weeds
\u2713 Won\u2019t invade flower beds or gardens<\/p>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2717 Not as many options for chemical weed control
\u2717 Accumulates thatch
\u2717 Susceptible to insects, particularly nematodes and ground pearls.
\u2717 Low foot traffic tolerance<\/p>Centipede cultivars for Florida<\/strong>: Tennessee Hardy, Common Centipede, Oaklawn<\/p>
Grass Seed Options:<\/strong><\/p>
- Gulf Kist Coated Centipedegrass Seeds<\/a> (1 lb.)<\/li>
- Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Centipedegrass<\/a> (3.75 lbs.)<\/li>
- TifBlair Centipedegrass<\/a> (5-lb. bag)<\/li> <\/ul>
For more information, check out Centipedegrass: How to Grow and Care for It<\/a>.<\/p>
Seashore Paspalum<\/span><\/h2>
![\"seashore](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/8252825349_b51a666dce_c-1.jpg\")
Harry Rose<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Native to the Americas, seashore paspalum<\/a> is common in coastal areas throughout Florida\u2019s homes and golf courses. It\u2019s blueish green with fine textured leaves. It\u2019s low-growing, reaching only 10 inches high, and dense, similar to bermudagrass. Some cultivars are so salt tolerant that you can irrigate it with salt water. It can uptake heavy metals, filtering them from your soil.<\/p>
Pros:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2713 Excellent saline tolerance tolerance
\u2713 Excellent wear tolerance
\u2713 Low water needs
\u2713 Low fertility needs
\u2713 Few insect or disease problems
\u2713 Tolerates a wide pH range
\u2713 Dense growth habit discourages weeds
\u2713 Dense root systems<\/p>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2717 Poor shade tolerance
\u2717 Frequent mowing
\u2717 Few herbicide options for weed control
\u2717 Requires dethatching, especially when over-fertilized and overwatered<\/p>Seashore paspalum cultivars for Florida<\/strong>: SeaIsle 1, Platinum TE, Salam, Supreme<\/p>
Grass Seed and Sod Options:<\/strong><\/p>
- Seed Ranch SeaShore Paspalum Coated Grass Seed<\/a> – 1 lb. <\/li>
- Seed World SeaShore Paspalum Grass Seeds<\/a> (various amounts)<\/li>
- Other places to purchase seashore paspalum sod<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
St. Augustinegrass<\/span><\/h2>
![\"St.](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/st-augustinegrass-south-florida-1.jpg\")
Michelle Selzer | Lawn Love<\/figcaption><\/figure> Native to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, St. Augustinegrass is the most common turfgrass in Florida. It creates a dense, blue-green, coarsely-textured lawn. This heat-loving grass prefers mild winters and will go dormant if temperatures fall below 60 degrees. St. Augustinegrass establishes and grows quickly, but doesn\u2019t tend to invade flowerbeds or gardens.<\/p>
Pros:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2713 Good shade tolerance, the best for warm-season grasses
\u2713 High salt tolerance
\u2713 Fast growth rate
\u2713 Available as sod, sprigs, or plugs
\u2713 One of the coarsest-bladed grasses
\u2713 Crowds out most weeds<\/p>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2717 Low cold tolerance
\u2717 Susceptible to chinch bugs and fungal diseases
\u2717 Not available as seed
\u2717 Susceptible to thatch, especially if over-fertilized or overwatered
\u2717 Susceptible to diseases and pests<\/p>St. Augustine cultivars for Florida<\/strong>: Floratam, Palmetto, BitterBlue<\/p>
Grass Plug Options<\/strong>:<\/p>
- Seed Ranch St Augustine Seville Grass Plugs<\/a> (2 Trays)<\/li>
- Seed Ranch St Augustine Floratam Grass Plugs<\/a> (2 Trays)<\/li> <\/ul>
For more information, check out St. Augustinegrass: How to Grow and Care for It<\/a>.<\/p>
Zoysiagrass<\/span><\/h2>
![\"zoysiagrass\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/zoysiagrass.jpg\")
Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Native to eastern Asia, zoysiagrass is a fine-bladed, dense, emerald turf that\u2019s commonly used in residential and commercial lawns as well as golf courses and athletic fields. It\u2019s a slow-growing grass, making it low maintenance and unlikely to invade gardens and flowerbeds, but it takes a little longer to establish.<\/p>
Pros:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2713 Soft to walk on
\u2713 Crowds out most weeds on its own
\u2713 Tolerates light shade
\u2713 Good salt tolerance
\u2713 Available in fine-bladed and wide-bladed varieties
\u2713 Good traffic tolerance
\u2713 Cold-tolerant
\u2713 Drought-tolerant (may go brown but will survive)<\/p>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2717 Slow grower
\u2717 Slow to establish from grass plugs or seed. We recommend sod
\u2717 Goes brown during a drought
\u2717 Damage recovery is slow
\u2717 Seed is not recommended so establishment can be costly
\u2717 Thatch can be a problem, especially with too much nitrogen<\/p>Zoysiagrass cultivars for Florida<\/strong>: Empire Zoysia, El Toro Zoysia, Zeon Zoysia<\/p>
Grass Plug and Seed<\/strong> Options:<\/strong><\/p>
- Zoysia Plugs (50 Large Grass Plugs)<\/a><\/li>
- Zoysia Plugs (50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)<\/a><\/li>
- Zoysia Plugs (100 Plugs)<\/a><\/li>
- Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds<\/a> (1\/8 lb. of seeds)<\/li> <\/ul>
For more information, check out Zoysiagrass: How to Grow and Care for It<\/a>.<\/p>
Best grass seed for South Florida<\/span><\/h2>
St. Augustinegrass, Bermudagrass, and Zoysiagrass are the best grasses for South Florida<\/strong>, including Miami, West Palm Beach, and Fort Myers. They thrive in the heat and humidity while also tolerating the salty soil and occasional flooding.<\/p>
Bahiagrass is another good option if you live inland, and Seashore Paspalum is a solid coastal choice.<\/p>
Best grass seed for Central Florida<\/span><\/h2>
St. Augustinegrass and Bahiagrass are the best grasses for Central Florida<\/strong>, including Tampa, Orlando, and Daytona Beach. St. Augustine is high maintenance but more aesthetically pleasing. Bahiagrass is low-maintenance and hardier but not as picture-perfect as some other grass types.<\/p>
Zoysiagrass is also a good choice, but it grows slowly. Centipedegrass is another low-maintenance option, but only if you live inland as its salt tolerance is low. Seashore Paspalum is a good choice for the coast.<\/p>
If you live in the Tampa area, check out Best Grass Types for Tampa<\/a>.<\/p>
Best grass seed for North Florida<\/span><\/h2>
St. Augustinegrass, Bermudagrass, and Zoysiagrass are the best grasses for North Florida<\/strong>, including Pensacola, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville. While all are well-suited for the soil and climate, St. Augustinegrass is often chosen for its aesthetics, Bermudagrass for its hardiness, and zoysiagrass because it\u2019s low-maintenance.<\/p>
Bahiagrass is another great option because it\u2019s the most drought-tolerant. Centipedegrass is also a common north Florida option, particularly in the inland panhandle, due to the soil adaptability. For coastal homes, seashore paspalum is a good option.<\/p>
If you live in Jacksonville, check out Best Grass Types for Jacksonville<\/a> for a more in-depth look.<\/p>
Best grass seed for a winter lawn<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Perennial](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/53187330568_bbc347e2c4_c-1.jpg\")
Matt Lavin<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Perennial Ryegrass is the best grass seed for a winter lawn in Florida<\/strong>. Overseeding involves adding cool-season grass seed that sprouts when your summer grass goes dormant for winter, giving you a green winter lawn. You can also try overseeding with tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass.<\/p>
- North Florida<\/strong>: Overseed from October to November.<\/li>
- Central Florida<\/strong>: Overseeded from October to early December.<\/li>
- South Florida<\/strong>: It\u2019s not common to overseed in South Florida because the temperature doesn\u2019t consistently drop low enough.<\/li> <\/ul>
Wait until daytime temperatures are consistently below 70 degrees to overseed.<\/p>
To learn more about overseeding and how to do it, check out What is Overseeding?<\/a><\/p>
Frequently asked questions about Florida grass<\/span><\/h2>
What is the best grass seed for sandy soil?<\/span><\/h3>
Centipedegrass is the best grass for sandy soil. Bahiagrass, Zoysiagrass, and Bermudagrass are also solid choices.<\/p>
For sandy soil garden ideas, check out 15 Plants that Do Well in Sandy Soil<\/a>.<\/p>
What is the best grass seed for shade in Florida?<\/span><\/h3>
St. Augustinegrass is the best for shady lawns, <\/strong>particularly the Palmetto cultivar. It’s able to thrive with as little as 4-5 hours of filtered sunlight daily.<\/p>
For more information on growing grass in the shade, follow our How to Easily Grow Grass in the Shade<\/a> guide.<\/p>
What is the best low-maintenance grass for Florida?<\/span><\/h3>
The best low-maintenance grass for Florida is Zoysiagrass. Centipedegrass and Bahiagrass are also excellent low-maintenance choices.<\/p>
What is the best grass for dogs in Florida?<\/span><\/h3>
Bermudagrass is the best Florida grass for dogs. It\u2019ll withstand the wear and tear of your dog running around and tolerate dog urine better than many other grasses.<\/p>
Check out Best Grasses for Dogs<\/a> for more dog-friendly options. <\/p>
Can I plant my own lawn or hire a professional?<\/span><\/h2>
Finding a lawn company that\u2019s reliable, affordable, and trustworthy is daunting. That\u2019s where Lawn Love can help. We\u2019ve researched and vetted tons of local lawn care professionals<\/a> and will connect you with the right pro for you, your lawn, and your wallet. Enjoy the sun and your lovely lawn without breaking a sweat or your bank.<\/p>
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 Photo Credit: Tamanoeconomico<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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- Central Florida<\/strong>: Overseeded from October to early December.<\/li>
- Zoysia Plugs (50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)<\/a><\/li>
- Seed Ranch St Augustine Floratam Grass Plugs<\/a> (2 Trays)<\/li> <\/ul>
- Seed World SeaShore Paspalum Grass Seeds<\/a> (various amounts)<\/li>
- Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Centipedegrass<\/a> (3.75 lbs.)<\/li>
- Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass<\/a> (50-lb. bag)<\/li> <\/ul>
- Hancock Seed Co. Argentine Bahiagrass Seed Mix<\/a> (25 lb. bag)<\/li> <\/ul>
- SeedRanch Pensacola Bahiagrass Seed<\/a> (10 lb. bag)<\/li> <\/ul>
- What is the best grass seed for shade in Florida?<\/a><\/li>
- Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li>