Choosing the right turf for your yard is a big decision. You want a lawn that looks great and can handle your local climate. Two of the most popular warm-season grasses are buffalo grass vs bermuda grass. Understanding their differences is key to a lush, resilient lawn.
Both are tough and drought-tolerant, but they suit very different needs and styles of lawn care. One forms a soft, low-maintenance carpet, while the other is a durable, fast-growing champion. Picking the wrong one can mean constant work or a lawn that never quite thrives.
Let’s look at what makes each grass special, so you can choose the perfect one for your home.
Buffalo Grass vs Bermuda Grass
At first glance, they might seem similar. Both love the sun and handle heat well. But their appearance, growth habits, and care requirements set them apart. Think of buffalo grass as the easy-going neighbor and bermuda grass as the high-achieving athlete.
Buffalo Grass is a North American native prairie grass. It’s known for its fine, blue-green blades and soft texture. It grows slowly and stays relatively short, often needing less mowing. It spreads primarily by surface runners called stolons, forming a dense, weed-resistant mat.
Bermuda Grass is a finely-textured, dark green grass that’s incredibly aggressive. It’s a favorite for sports fields and golf courses due to its rapid growth and recovery. It spreads both by stolons above ground and rhizomes below ground, creating a thick, tough turf. This makes it very resilient to heavy foot traffic.
Key Differences at a Glance
Here’s a quick comparison to highlight their core differences:
* Texture & Feel: Buffalo grass has a softer, finer blade. Bermuda grass is also fine but feels denser and more robust underfoot.
* Growth Speed: Bermuda grass grows very fast, especially in peak summer. Buffalo grass is a slow grower.
* Mowing Height: Buffalo grass is happiest at 2 to 3 inches. Bermuda grass is often kept much shorter, between 0.5 and 1.5 inches.
* Water Needs: Both are drought-tolerant, but established buffalo grass often needs even less water than bermuda.
* Shade Tolerance: Neither likes heavy shade, but buffalo grass has slightly better tolerance for light, dappled shade.
* Traffic Tolerance: Bermuda grass wins here, easily handling kids, pets, and parties. Buffalo grass is less tolerant of constant heavy wear.
Climate and Growing Zones
Your location is the most important factor. Both are warm-season grasses, meaning they green up in late spring, peak in summer, and go dormant (turn brown) after the first hard frost in fall.
Buffalo Grass thrives in the drier climates of the Great Plains and Western US. It’s ideal for USDA zones 4 through 9, but performs best in areas with lower humidity and rainfall. It truly excels in arid and semi-arid regions.
Bermuda Grass loves heat and sun and is widely used across the southern United States, from the Southeast to California. It performs best in USDA zones 7 through 10. It handles humidity better than buffalo grass and can survive in slightly cooler transition zones than often expected, though winter kill can be a risk.
If you live in a region with high humidity and frequent summer rainfall, bermuda is usually the safer bet. For dry, western climates, buffalo grass can be a water-saving superstar.
Appearance and Lawn Feel
The look and feel of your lawn matter for your enjoyment.
Buffalo Grass has a distinct blue-green or gray-green hue. Its blades are slightly wider and have a gentle curl, giving the lawn a softer, more informal appearance. It doesn’t create the “manicured” look some people seek, but it has a natural, prairie-like beauty. Walking on it barefoot is a pleasant experience due to its softness.
Bermuda Grass offers a classic, dark green lawn aesthetic. When well-maintained, it can look like a lush, uniform carpet. Its density and ability to be mowed very low allow for that crisp, striped look you see on baseball infields. The feel underfoot is firm and dense, signaling its durability.
Establishment and Growth Habits
How these grasses spread determines a lot about their management.
Buffalo grass spreads mainly through stolons. These runners creep along the soil surface, taking root and filling in bare spots. It’s not considered invasive because it grows slowly and doesn’t typically invade garden beds unless the edge is very thin.
Bermuda grass is a vigorous spreader using both stolons and rhizomes. Rhizomes are underground stems that can pop up new shoots feet away from the main plant. This makes bermuda incredibly good at repairing itself, but also potentially invasive. It can quickly spread into flower beds, sidewalks, and neighboring lawns if not contained with deep edging.
Overseeding for Winter Color
A common practice with bermuda grass is overseeding with ryegrass in the fall. Since bermuda goes dormant and turns brown in winter, people often seed annual ryegrass to maintain a green lawn. This requires extra mowing and watering through the cool season.
Buffalo grass is rarely overseeded. Its dormancy is generally accepted as part of its low-maintenance cycle. The tan-brown color in winter is considered natural for a native grass landscape.
Maintenance Requirements Compared
This is where the choice becomes very clear based on your desired effort level.
Mowing:
* Buffalo Grass: Mow every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Keep it at 2-3 inches. Letting it grow taller helps shade the soil, conserving water and suppressing weeds.
* Bermuda Grass: Requires frequent mowing, often every 5-7 days in summer. To keep it thick and prevent scalping, it’s best mowed low, between 0.5 and 1.5 inches. This means a sharp mower blade is essential.
Watering:
* Buffalo Grass: Extremely drought-tolerant once established. It may need only 1 inch of water every 2-4 weeks to stay green in summer heat. It survives long dry periods by going dormant.
* Bermuda Grass: Drought-tolerant, but needs more water than buffalo to stay lush and green under stress. It typically requires about 1 inch of water per week during hot, dry spells. It recovers quickly from drought-induced dormancy when water returns.
Fertilizing:
* Buffalo Grass: Requires very little fertilizer. One light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in late spring is often enough. Too much nitrogen can actually harm it and promote weeds.
* Bermuda Grass: Is a heavy feeder. It responds well to regular fertilization throughout the growing season (spring through early fall), typically needing 3-4 applications per year to support its rapid growth and maintain color.
Weed Control:
* Buffalo Grass: Its dense stolon mat naturally suppresses many weeds. Pre-emergent herbicides in spring can help, but be careful to use products labeled safe for buffalo grass, as it can be sensitive to some weed killers.
* Bermuda Grass: Its thick growth also chokes out weeds. However, because it’s more vigorous, it can tolerate a wider range of post-emergent herbicides for controlling weeds that do appear.
Pest and Disease Resistance
Both grasses are relatively tough, but have different vulnerabilities.
Buffalo Grass has few major pest problems. Its main nemesis is the chinch bug in some areas. It’s also generally resistant to most common lawn diseases, thanks to its slow growth and lower water needs, which create a less hospitable environment for fungi.
Bermuda Grass can be susceptible to several issues:
* Diseases: Dollar spot, spring dead spot, and leaf spot can be problems, especially in humid conditions or with overwatering.
* Pests: It can attract armyworms, bermuda grass mites, and grubs. Its thatch layer (if not managed) can harbor pests.
* Thatch: Bermuda grass’s vigorous growth can lead to a rapid buildup of thatch—a layer of dead stems and roots between the soil and green grass. This requires periodic dethatching.
Soil and Sunlight Needs
Sunlight: Both grasses demand full sun. They need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. Bermuda grass is particularly intolerant of shade; it will thin out and become weedy. Buffalo grass can handle light, filtered shade better, but still won’t perform well under trees.
Soil: Both are adaptable to various soil types but prefer well-draining soil.
* Buffalo Grass is exceptionally tolerant of poor, alkaline, and clay-heavy soils. It evolved in tough prairie conditions.
* Bermuda Grass prefers fertile, well-drained soil but can adapt to less ideal conditions. It performs best when soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.
Cost and Installation
Initial cost can vary by region and availability.
* Buffalo Grass: Often more expensive upfront, whether as sod or seed. Specialized cultivars like ‘Legacy’ or ‘Prestige’ command a higher price. However, its lower long-term maintenance costs (water, fertilizer, mowing) can offset the initial investment.
* Bermuda Grass: Is widely available and generally less expensive for sod and seed. Common bermuda is very affordable, while improved hybrid varieties (like ‘Tifway 419’) cost more. Its higher maintenance needs mean ongoing costs are typically greater.
Steps for Planting a New Lawn
Whether you choose sod or seed, proper planting is crucial.
1. Test Your Soil: A simple test tells you pH and nutrient needs.
2. Clear the Area: Remove all existing weeds, grass, and debris.
3. Grade the Soil: Level the area, ensuring a slight slope away from your house for drainage.
4. Amend the Soil: Add compost or other amendments based on your soil test.
5. Prepare the Seedbed: Rake the soil to a fine, smooth texture.
6. Plant Seed or Lay Sod: Follow recommended rates for seed or tightly lay sod strips.
7. Water Thoroughly: Keep the top inch of soil consistently moist until seeds germinate or sod roots establish.
8. First Mow: Mow when the new grass reaches about one-third taller than its recommended height.
Making the Final Choice: Which Grass is Right For You?
Use this simple guide to decide.
Choose Buffalo Grass If:
* You live in a dry, western, or plains climate.
* You want to minimize mowing and yard work.
* You want to conserve water and use little to no fertilizer.
* You prefer a natural, softer-looking lawn.
* You don’t have heavy foot traffic from kids or pets.
* You’re okay with winter dormancy.
Choose Bermuda Grass If:
* You live in the humid South or sunny California.
* You want a durable lawn for sports, play, and pets.
* You don’t mind frequent mowing and more maintenance.
* You desire a classic, dark green, manicured lawn look.
* You need grass that recovers quickly from damage.
* You plan to overseed for winter green color.
Both grasses can create a beautiful, resilient lawn when matched to the right environment and homeowner expectations. The key is being honest about the amount of time and resources you want to invest. For a truly low-input, eco-friendly lawn in its suitable region, buffalo grass is hard to beat. For a tough, lush carpet that can take a beating in full sun, bermuda grass remains a top contender.
FAQ Section
Which is softer, buffalo grass or bermuda grass?
Buffalo grass is generally considered softer to the touch and more pleasant for barefoot walking than bermuda grass.
Can buffalo grass and bermuda grass be mixed together?
It’s not recommended. They have vastly different growth rates, heights, and maintenance needs. The more aggressive bermuda will likely outcompete and choke out the buffalo grass over time.
What is better for high traffic, bermuda or buffalo grass?
Bermuda grass is significantly better for high-traffic areas. Its rapid growth and network of rhizomes allow it to repair quickly from wear and tear.
Which grass uses less water, buffalo or bermuda?
Once fully established, buffalo grass typically requires less water to maintain its health and color compared to bermuda grass. It’s one of the most drought-tolerant lawn grasses available.
Does buffalo grass spread like bermuda?
No, it spreads much more slowly and only by surface runners (stolons). It is not as invasive or aggressive as bermuda grass, which spreads by both stolons and underground rhizomes.
How do I get rid of bermuda grass in my buffalo lawn?
This is very difficult because selective herbicides that kill bermuda will also kill buffalo grass. The most reliable method is to carefully spot-treat with a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate, or to physically dig out the bermuda, ensuring you remove all rhizomes. Preventing its invasion with deep edging is the best strategy.
Which stays greener longer in fall?
Bermuda grass often stays green slightly later into the fall, especially in warmer zones. However, both will go dormant with the first few hard frosts of the season. Their dormancy patterns are quite similar.
Choosing between these two excellent grasses comes down to your climate, your lifestyle, and your vision for your yard. By understanding their true nature, you can select the turf that will give you a beautiful lawn without constant struggle. Take your time, consider your local conditions, and you’ll be rewarded with a space that’s just right for your home.