Warm-Season Grass: 5 Common Types of Warm-Season Grass

Warm-season grasses are grass species that thrive in hot and typically moist climates. These species originate from tropical regions, and they do particularly well in temperatures ranging from seventy-five to ninety degrees Fahrenheit. This describes much of the southern and southeastern United States, as well as the "transition zone" in parts of the midwest where temperatures are not as hot but where the ground rarely freezes.

Gardeners commonly overseed existing grass to maintain a luscious green color all season long. When their warm-season lawn is still thriving in early fall, they plant grass seed for cool-season lawns. They do the same process with warm-season grass seed in the spring so that when their cool-season lawn grass goes dormant, they'll have new grass coming in to replace it.

Cool-season grasses do well in mild climates where the soil rarely freezes, but they can also tolerate cold winters. This type of grass grows vigorously from the winter months through late spring and then enters a period of dormancy from the summer through early fall. Cool-season grasses include tall fescue grass, perennial ryegrass, bentgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass.

Consider the main types of warm-season grasses for landscaping:

1. 1. Bermuda grass: This species has high heat tolerance and high drought tolerance. Its shade tolerance and cold tolerance are lower. It can handle a lot of foot traffic, which makes it a golf course favorite. It can thrive in all soil types as long as the soil pH is between 5.8 and 7.0. Note that Bermuda grass grows fast; plan on mowing it twice a week during the late spring and summer.
2. 2. Centipede grass: This species is a very low-maintenance grass species provided that it is planted in a region that gets lots of rain, such as the American southeast. It does best in acidic soil with a pH level between 4.5 and 6.0. It can handle high heat and some shade, but it is not drought-tolerant. Avoid planting centipede grass in areas that get a lot of foot traffic.
3. 3. Bahiagrass: This relatively tall grass species does well in full sun and warm weather. It will need more mowing during its growing season, which extends from late spring all the way to late summer. It can tolerate moderate cold and some degree of foot traffic. A soil pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal. It does best in the hot, humid southeastern United States. It cannot last long in arid climates without frequent irrigation.
4. 4. Zoysia grass: Zoysia grass is a warm-weather grass that also grows well in the transition zone due to its relatively high tolerance for cold and shade. It is also relatively drought-tolerant. Lawn care for zoysia grass involves removing thatch that builds up over the course of the growing season.
5. 5. St. Augustine grass: St. Augustine grass, also known as Charleston grass, produces thick, hearty stalks with multiple grass blades. It grows slower than many other common lawn grass types, which makes it lower maintenance. However, compared to other warm-season grasses, St. Augustine grass has very little cold tolerance and should never be planted in regions where the soil freezes. It does best in soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5.

Plant warm-season grass seed in the late spring when the soil temperature hovers around sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit or above. Mix fertilizer into the soil when you plant the grass seed. Expect warm-season grass to grow throughout the summer and into early fall. Many species go dormant during the fall and winter months, but you can green up dormant grass by overseeding with a cool-season grass species that does well in winter and spring.

Warm-season grasses come with several baked-in advantages.

1. 1. Summer heat tolerance: Warm-season grasses fit are heat-tolerant grass species, and they can routinely handle temperatures in the nineties and even triple digits.
2. 2. Drought tolerance: With the notable exception of centipede grass, warm-season grasses typically do well during periods of drought. Mature Bermuda grass can extend its roots a full six feet beneath the soil, which lets it find moisture during sustained droughts. This takes time, however, and less mature grass plants need ample water throughout the summer to stay green. Centipede grass has a shallow root system and is less drought-resistant.
3. 3. Good for recreation: Many warm-season grasses can withstand some foot traffic, which makes them great on golf courses and soccer fields. Zoysia grass and Bermuda grass are particularly well-suited to this purpose. Avoid planting Bahiagrass or centipede grass in high-traffic areas. If you need to overseed with cool-season grasses, try bentgrass, which also does well with foot traffic.
4. 4. Can blend with native grasses: In many cases, specially selected warm-season grasses can coexist with native grasses that have grown in a region for millennia. Some seed mixtures intentionally blend grass species, which can produce lawns with year-round greenery and enhanced weed control. If a mixed lawn is not your thing, it is quite easy to purchase uniform seed mixes that only produce one species of grass.

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