If you own a house with a lawn in Florida or are planning to buy one, this post is for you!
When planning your lawn, choosing the best grass for Florida is an important part of increasing your home’s value. So, you want to make sure you create a pleasant outdoor scene that everyone will enjoy.
A healthy and green lawn can make for a dream landscape you can take pride in. It can turn the outdoor ambiance of your home into the perfect place to spend a relaxing evening or dream family weekends.
But, there are some key things to consider when planning your lawn in Florida. You want to make sure you choose the best grass for Florida, as well as the best yard setup for your grass to thrive.
Bear with me, as I walk you through everything you need to know when thinking about what is the best grass to grow in Florida.
Contents
Comparison Table
Top 5 Grass Options for Florida Lawns
Zenith Zoysia Grass
Zenith Zoysia grass is a good option for people living in Florida and can render excellent results when planting guidelines are followed.
This type of grass is shade-tolerant, but must be planted in soil that’s at least 67° Fahrenheit in temperature. It can take two to three months for this grass to germinate, so make sure you plant it in spring for the best results.
It requires mowing every week to 10 days and gives the best results when paired with clay soil. The grass itself has a pleasant dark green shade, with medium-fin leaves. It’s excellent for home lawns or golf courses.
PROS
- Highly adaptable to sun and shade conditions.
- Available in both seed and sod.
- Good for lawns, but also golf courses.
- Has a dense growth habit.
- Doesn’t require much water or too many nutrients.
- Resistant during Florida winter season.
- The turf if resistant to weed growth.
CONS
- Requires mowing every week to 10 days.
- Seeds can take up to three months to germinate.
St. Augustine “Palmetto” Grass
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The Palmetto type of St. Augustine grass is one of the most popular turf choices in the southern states. It has a beautiful emerald green color that maintains its richness, even in the fall.
It has an average level of insect resistance, but quite good weed control. Unlike other types of St. Augustine grass, Palmetto performs well in colder as well as hotter regions. It is resistant to drought and loves sunny areas, but also does well in the shade.
It can grow in many different types of soil, including clay and sand. However, it requires frequent cutting because it can grow quite tall, so it’s best left for people who don’t mind caring for their lawn on a more frequent basis.
PROS
- Features a beautiful and distinguishable emerald color.
- Resistant in both warm and colder climates.
- One of the best-selling types of grass in the southern U.S.
- Performs well in different types of soil.
- Has a high drought-resistance.
- Has a finer texture compared to other St. Augustine types of grass.
CONS
- Requires frequent cutting.
- Susceptible to brown patches.
- Has a rather slow recovery period.
TifBlair Centipede Grass
TifBlair Centipede grass is known for its long “green” periods, as it awake early in spring and stays healthy until late in the fall. It doesn’t require as much maintenance as other types of Florida grass and it adapts well to different types of soil.
It’s resistant to warmth, but also thrives in shady areas. For the best results, plant this type of grass as soon as it gets warm and avoid adding other plants until it is fully grown, to avoid competition and give the lawn a chance to grow.
You don’t need to water it very often, as it is highly resistant to drought. Despite its slower germination period, this grass is also resistant to winter conditions, as long as you have the patience and the time to look after it during its growth.
PROS
- Can cover up to 1,000 square feet with a single pound of product.
- Seeds are coated for improved germination periods.
- Awakes from dormant periods early in spring.
- Stays green for longer than other centipedegrass.
- Considered to be the best grass for Central Florida by many homeowners.
CONS
- It’s a slow-growing type of grass.
- Not 100% pure seed, as advertised.
Jonathan Green Grass Seed Mixture
Here’s an option for those looking for a seed mixture that offers the benefits of many different grass types. The different varieties include types of grass meant to combat insect damage, while giving homeowners a long-lasting lawn they can take pride in.
Great for sunny and warm areas, this mixture is available in different bag sizes, to cater to the individual needs of your lawn. It’s a valid choice for people looking to spruce up their bare lawn areas, as the product itself germinates fast and is very easy to plant.
It doesn’t require too much fertilizer and can give dead patches of lawn a fresh and green look.
PROS
- Available in different pack sizes.
- Easy to plant.
- Doesn’t require much fertilizer.
- Can cover dead patches of grass.
- Has a rather fast germination period.
- Includes varieties that prevent insect damage.
CONS
- Doesn’t perform well in extremely sunny and high-drought areas.
- High chances of seeds being eaten by birds unless planted properly.
SmartMe’s Common Bermuda Grass
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Those of you looking for the best grass for Florida lawns need to look into what this Bermuda grass is all about. With its medium green color and fine texture, Common Bermuda is a type of grass that’s very resistant to traffic and wear and tear, making it a great option for lawns, pastures, parks, and even erosion control.
About one or two pounds of seed is more than enough to cover 1,000 square feet of new lawn.
PROS
- Is a low-maintenance type of Florida grass.
- Good for many applications, including pastures and lawns.
- Resistant to wear and traffic.
- Can grow even in poor soil types.
- Suitable for transition regions.
- Has a beautiful shade of medium green.
- Features a fine leaf texture.
- Is drought-resistant.
CONS
- Requires a lot of fertilization for pasture applications.
A Guide To Choosing The Best Florida Grass
For a quick overview of the most popular types of grass for the Florida climate, check out this helpful and easy to follow video:
Getting the Best Results
Proper maintenance is key to a healthy lawn, regardless of the type of grass you choose. For the best looking lawn, you want to consider the following:
● Watering your lawn is an essential part of keeping it healthy. If you have an irrigation system, it will do most of the job for you. Otherwise, consider whether you are prepared to manually water your lawn as required. Some types of grass require a lot of water, which can significantly increase your water bill. BTW, if you are looking for a great garden hose, check out our Flexzilla garden hose review.
● Re-sod regularly: Grass can experience a certain amount of wear and tear. If you opt for a type of grass that wears fast, regular re-sodding is something you might have to consider.
● Pest and disease control is important when gardening and caring for your lawn is no different. Regardless of the types of grass you choose, you will have to consider the threats that could cause it to die off. Are you prepared to call a pest control company, if need be?
● Fertilization is part of keeping your lawn healthy. For the best results, make sure that you apply the fertilizer needed to keep your lawn in top shape. Check out 10-10-10 fertilizer since it’s one of the best fertilizers for lawn.
Lawn Setup 101
While Florida is the place of sunshine and vacations, people who live here can have some trouble creating the lawn and landscape of their dreams. Not all the plants take well the humid climate of this state.
But fear do not! It is still possible to create a garden of your dreams (you can even grow lavender in Florida).
Here are five easy steps to follow when planting your Florida grass:
- Select the best type of grass for your particular climate conditions. I’ve listed the six best types of grass to grow in Florida in the next section of this article.
- Test your soil’s pH level. The best pH is between 6 and 7.5. Anything above this number and you will need compost. Anything lower and you’ll need to add lime to your soil.
- Prepare your soil before planting grass by removing weeds, dead grass, and large rocks (but know that some weeds are as beautiful as they are useful so you may want to keep some)
- Apply fertilizer in a smaller amount if there’s a water supply near the turf, as you risk contaminating it.
- Grab a rake and level the ground. If at all possible, consider adding an irrigation system. Watering the soil is required after raking.
- Seed the lawn by using a seed spreader, if you have one — it will help you get the best coverage. After spreading the seeds across the desired area, add a bit of soil on top and then water generously.
Common Grass Types in Florida
Because of its climate, Florida can be quite a tricky state for lawn care. For the best results, you need to know about the most common types of Florida grass, so you’ll know what to expect with the different varieties:
● Bermuda grass is characterized by its short blades and rough edges. This type of grass is drought-resistant, prevents weed growth, and makes an excellent choice for areas with a lot of traffic. It grows rapidly in many different soil types and, much to the delight of people living in North Florida, it’s also resistant to colder temperatures. You can get by with weekly watering, as it doesn’t require as much maintenance as other grass types.
● St. Augustine grass is another Florida winner because it loves the heat. To get the best results, water it consistently and you’ll get a lawn rich in grass blades. It’s not that fussy soil-wise and can grow quite quickly compared to its “rivals”. However, St. Augustine grass requires a lot of cutting and doesn’t do very well in low temperatures. It’s also a magnet for chinch bugs. Many consider it to be the best grass for Central Florida, but it’s definitely not an option that will hold up in the north.
● Centipedegrass is a valid option for people looking for a low-maintenance lawn. Since it doesn’t grow very tall, it doesn’t require frequent mowing. It’s also great for both areas high in shade and those in the sun. While it does bring a lot of benefits to the table, centipedegrass doesn’t stand up well to traffic and it’s also prone to ground pearls.
● Bahiagrass is a type that doesn’t need much fertilizer and it performs really well in hot and dry climates. It’s a fan of sandy soil and a popular option for areas that aren’t well-irrigated. Pensacola Bahiagrass is a common choice across Florida, but it’s also prone to weeds and can’t stand too much water.
● Zoysia grass is dark green in color and features stiff leaf blades. It’s traffic-resistant, loves the sun, and has a high tolerance to diseases. It also doesn’t require too much water to thrive and so it is a great option for people who don’t want to spend too much time with their landscaping chores. After frost, Zoysia grass goes dormant, but will resume growth once temperatures are optimal.
● Buffalo is a beautiful type of grass, with curling leaf blades in a pleasant blue-green shade. Popular in South Florida, this type of grass loves high temperatures and isn’t fussy about soil conditions. Despite its beauty and benefits, Buffalo grass doesn’t like areas with high traffic, nor does it tolerate shade very well.
FAQs: Important Florida Grass Know-How
Getting the best Florida grass results depends on knowing the answer to these three important questions:
When Should I Plant Grass Seed In Florida?
The warmer seasons are optimal for planting grass in Florida, so plan ahead for the upcoming spring and summer to help your grass grow strong and healthy before winter. If you live in North Florida and plant in the late fall, your young grass will likely to die in the winter. Those living in Central and South Florida may get away with planting all year round, but follow the instructions for the particular grass you choose.
When Should I Overseed My Lawn In Florida?
If you live in North Florida, overseeding is best done in October and November. Lawn overseeding in Central Florida can be done from October to December. For South Florida homeowners, overseeding is best suited in frost-free areas and it’s best to wait until temperatures in the daytime are in the low to mid 70°s Fahrenheit.
Does Grass Grow All Year In Florida?
The correct answer is: it depends on which part of Florida you live in. Grass growth depends on temperatures and length of daylight. In North Florida, grass doesn’t typically grow in the colder seasons. For Central and South Florida, the weather conditions are a bit less dramatic in the colder seasons, so it depends on the type of grass that you want to add to your lawn.
Best Grass For Florida: And the Winner Is…
For those of you still wondering what is the best grass to grow in Florida, the answer is No products found. I recommend it because of its resistance to extreme conditions and its low maintenance requirements. By following the instructions, you can get a healthy and green lawn all year round, with a minimum effort.
Aside from its fine leaf texture, SmartMe’s Common Bermuda grass stands out from the crowd thanks to its multiple applications that range from landscaping to erosion control.
You can use it in both low and high-traffic areas, in shade and in direct sunlight, and it doesn’t require as much fertilization compared to other types of Florida-applicable grass.
If you wonder how to fix bald patches on your lawn, you need to do overseeding. In order to know how to maintain the grass after it, read our post about when to mow the lawn after overseeding.
Did you like our article? Do you have any questions? Let us know in the comments!
Last update on 2023-05-28 at 05:39 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
