6 Types Of Grass In Texas

Choosing the right grass for your Texas yard can feel like a battle against the elements. To create a resilient and beautiful lawn, you need varieties built for our unique climate. This guide will help you understand the 6 types of grass in Texas that are best suited for our heat, drought, and soil.

Not all grasses are created equal, especially under the Texas sun. The best choices are typically native or well-adapted warm-season grasses. These varieties thrive in our long summers and go dormant (turn brown) during winter freezes, which is a normal and healthy process. Let’s look at the top contenders for your turf.

1. Buffalograss

This is a true native prairie grass and a superstar for low-maintenance, water-conscious landscapes. Buffalograss forms a dense, low-growing turf with a fine texture and soft blue-green color. It’s incredibly drought-tolerant once established and requires far less mowing than other grasses.

Best For: Full sun areas, low-traffic lawns, naturalized landscapes, and anyone wanting to reduce water use.
Water Needs: Very low. Survives on rainfall in many regions after establishment.
Maintenance: Minimal. Mow to 3-4 inches high, maybe 2-4 times per season.
Note: It doesn’t tolerate heavy shade or constant foot traffic well.

2. Bermudagrass

Widely used across the state, Bermudagrass is a tough, aggressive grower that loves full sun. It creates a dense, durable carpet that can handle heavy use, making it perfect for sports fields and active families. It spreads by both stolons (above-ground runners) and rhizomes (below-ground runners), which helps it recover from damage.

Best For: High-traffic lawns, sports fields, sunny areas.
Water Needs: Moderate, but it has good drought resistance.
Maintenance: High. Requires frequent mowing (can be cut short), regular fertilization, and dethatching to look its best.
Note: Its aggressive growth can be a weed in flower beds and needs to be managed.

3. Zoysiagrass

Known for its lush, thick feel and excellent wear tolerance, Zoysia is a premium choice. It establishes slower than Bermuda but forms a very dense mat that chokes out weeds. It has good shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses and offers a beautiful, dark green appearance.

Best For: Homeowners wanting a high-quality, durable lawn with better shade tolerance.
Water Needs: Moderate drought tolerance once established.
Maintenance: Moderate to high. Less frequent mowing than Bermuda but can build up thatch. It’s slow to green up in spring.
Note: Varieties like ‘Emerald’ and ‘Meyer’ are popular in Texas.

4. St. Augustinegrass

This is the classic, broad-bladed grass seen in many Texas neighborhoods, especially in urban and coastal areas. St. Augustine thrives in heat and humidity and has the best shade tolerance of the common warm-season grasses. It creates a thick, coarse-textured lawn quickly.

Best For: Coastal regions, shaded lawns, and areas where a fast-establishing, coarse turf is desired.
Water Needs: High. It is not drought-tolerant and requires consistent moisture.
Maintenance: Moderate. Mow at a higher setting (3-4 inches). It is susceptible to chinch bugs and certain fungal diseases like take-all root rot.
Note: It’s not suitable for very dry regions of Texas without significant irrigation.

5. Sideoats Grama

This is the official state grass of Texas for good reason. A native bunchgrass, Sideoats Grama is not a traditional, uniform turf grass but is excellent for naturalized lawns, meadows, and erosion control. It’s known for its charming seed heads that hang from one side of the stalk.

Best For: Eco-friendly, low-input lawns, wildlife habitats, and mixing with wildflowers.
Water Needs: Exceptionally low. Highly drought and heat tolerant.
Maintenance: Very low. It is a bunchgrass, so it won’t form a solid sod. Mow once or twice a year to maintain a tidy appearance.
Note: Accepts that it will have a more natural, “prairie” look rather than a manicured carpet.

6. Blue Grama

Another native bunchgrass, Blue Grama is similar to Buffalograss in its water-wise nature. It forms a fine-textured, gray-green turf and is very cold-tolerant for a warm-season grass. Its unique seed heads resemble tiny eyelashes, adding visual interest.

Best For: Low-water landscapes, high-altitude or Panhandle regions, and natural lawns.
Water Needs: Extremely low. One of the most drought-tolerant grasses available.
Maintenance: Very low. Requires infrequent mowing and little to no fertilizer.
Note: Like Sideoats Grama, it grows in clumps but can be mowed to form a continuous ground cover.

How to Choose the Right Grass for Your Yard

Picking the best grass involves looking at your specific conditions. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide.

Assess Your Sunlight: Watch your yard for a full day. How many hours of direct sun does it get? Full sun (6+ hours) opens all options. For significant shade (less than 4 hours), St. Augustine or Zoysia are you’re best bets.
Understand Your Soil: Texas soil varies from sandy to heavy clay. Most grasses prefer well-draining soil. Consider getting a soil test; it can reveal pH and nutrient needs that affect grass health.
Be Real About Water: Match the grass to your local water restrictions and your willingness to irrigate. Buffalograss and the gramas are ideal for low-water plans, while St. Augustine demands more.
Consider Traffic & Use: Do you have kids, pets, or frequent gatherings? Bermuda and Zoysia handle play better. For a decorative lawn with less foot traffic, Buffalograss or the native bunchgrasses are perfect.
Accept Maintenance Level: Are you a weekend gardener or do you prefer minimal chores? Bermuda needs the most frequent care. Buffalograss and the natives require the least.

Planting and Establishment Tips

Getting your grass started right is crucial for its long-term success. The best time to plant warm-season grasses in Texas is late spring through early summer, when soil temperatures are warm.

For Sod:

Prepare the soil by removing old grass, tilling, and grading to ensure good drainage.
Install sod immediately after delivery, laying pieces tightly together in a staggered pattern.
Water deeply and frequently (often daily at first) for the first two weeks to prevent the roots from drying out.

For Seed or Plugs:

Native grasses like Buffalograss and the Gramas are often planted from seed or plugs.
Seed requires consistent surface moisture to germinate—light, frequent watering is key.
Plugs are planted on a grid and will slowly spread to fill in the area; this method requires patience but is cost-effective.

No matter the method, avoid heavy use of the new lawn until it’s firmly rooted, which can take several weeks to a few months.

Common Challenges for Texas Lawns

Even with the right grass, you’ll face some Texas-sized challenges.

Drought: Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth. The best defense is choosing a drought-tolerant variety from the start.
Heat Stress: Mow at the recommended higher height to shade the soil and roots. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing.
Weeds: A thick, healthy lawn is the best weed prevention. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in early spring for weeds like crabgrass, and in fall for cool-season weeds like henbit.
Pests: Grubs, chinch bugs (especially in St. Augustine), and armyworms can cause damage. Identify the pest correctly before treating with an appropriate organic or chemical control.

FAQs About Texas Turf Grasses

What is the most drought tolerant grass for Texas?

Buffalograss, Blue Grama, and Sideoats Grama are the most drought-tolerant native choices. They are adapted to survive on minimal rainfall.

What grass stays green all year in Texas?

No warm-season grass stays green year-round. They go dormant and turn brown after the first hard freeze. Some homeowners overseed with ryegrass in fall for winter color, but this requires extra water and care.

What is the easiest grass to maintain in Texas?

For low-maintenance, Buffalograss and the native bunchgrasses (Sideoats Grama, Blue Grama) require the least mowing, fertilizer, and water. They are the easiest once established.

Can I mix grass types in my lawn?

It’s generally not recommended to mix turf grasses, as they have different growth habits, heights, and water needs. This can lead to an uneven appearance. However, native bunchgrasses can be mixed together in a naturalized setting.

Choosing from these 6 types of grass in Texas sets you up for success. By matching the grass to your specific site and lifestyle, you can cultivate a lawn that’s not only beautiful but also sustainable. A little planning goes a long way toward creating an outdoor space you can enjoy for years to come, with less work and more time to relax.