11 Types of Grass in Texas

Texas has a unique climate. In some parts of Texas, they might have high humidity, while other areas tend to be more dry. We can certainly all agree that Texas is known for being fairly dry. They have hot summers and cool winters. Most parts of Texas will rarely see snowfall but they aren’t exempt from snow.

Texas has a lot of vegetation, including grass. Have you ever wondered just how many types of grass Texas might have? Or perhaps you’re curious what types of grass would grow best in Texas?

We’ve got you covered with all of the details you need to know, including grass care and the different types of grass in Texas.

What to Know About Grass Types in Texas?

While there are a lot of different types of grass in Texas, there are some that you see quite a bit more than others. Probably the most common grasses found in Texas are Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, and Zoysia grass.

The thing is though, there are way more types of grass than just these three.

Some types of grass, particularly if you planted it on your own, will require specific care to keep healthy. Otherwise, you need to know the basic care for grass in Texas.

Check this out.

Mowing Needs

How do you know how often you should mow? Well, it really might depend on the growth of your grass and whether or not you are watering it. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should plan to mow your grass about once a week.

In different parts of Texas, there may be different moisture that will matter here. However, these three types of grasses mentioned as being the most common are pretty consistent as to how often they will need to be mowed or trimmed. In general, with normal growth times, they need to be mowed every 5-7 days.

Traditionally, these grasses should be about 1-2 inches in height to be healthy.

We do recommend that you take note of the average grass height and keep in mind that your area, your watering practices, and the local weather, could affect when you need to mow the grass.

One of the best recommendations from professionals is to not cut more than 1/3 of your grass height in one mowing session. If it still seems too high after that, you can mow again but it’s much easier on the grass to cut only 1/3 height at one time.

Watering Required

If you are trying to plant your own grass or just want your grass to be green and healthy, you will most likely need to water it. Grass in Texas typically needs somewhere around an inch of water each week to grow and remain healthy.

There are times where you may not be able to water as often if your region happens to be in a water shortage in the extreme heat of summer. In these cases, just water as you are able to and conserve water as much as possible.

Some people will choose to water twice a week, watering half an inch each time while others will just water once a week. You might even want to water every other day in small spurts to let the grass soak up the water. It’s really up to you but don’t forget to take any local restrictions on watering into account first.

Going with Seed or Sods

Seed vs. sod is one of the ultimate debates when it comes to choosing what you want in your lawn. Is one really better than the other?

When people use sod, it is usually because it basically gives you instant gratification. When you lay sod, the grass is already there. Of course, you still have to care for that grass in order to get it to take and then stay healthy.

For you, it might even depend on just how much grass coverage your yard needs. Maybe you just have a small area that needs more grass in it. In this case, seed is probably sufficient.

Sod gives you instant results and is pretty quick to lay down. It almost just rolls or pieces out. When it’s done right, it takes root within about 2 or 3 weeks from the time it is laid. It even will most like conquer weeds if those are a problem in your lawn.

The downside to sod is that it’s more expensive to put down initially. The material itself is expensive and then paying someone to lay the sod is also pricy. You should use a professional for the best results. You might also be limited with choices and caring for the sod initially could be hard work.

When you compare sod to seed, with seed you have a little more control. You can see anywhere you want to and it’s not nearly as expensive. Most of the time, you can even seed it yourself. With seed, you have more choices in grass. Those seeds will sprout and then germinate and grow each year.

The challenge with seed is you have to choose the peak growth time and hope that the weather won’t undo your hard work! Seed is more likely to have to contend with weeds and it will certainly take more time to grow and mature. However, once it does, it will last well.

Is Artificial Grass Popular in Texas?

Through the years, artificial grass has become more and more popular in Texas. As Texans realize just how much nicer their lawns look and how easy it is to deal with artificial grass, a trend has started and everyone is following suit.

Artificial grass looks nice all of the time and only has to be replaced every 10-15 years once it gets established. This is perhaps one of the reasons it is so popular. Most homeowners in the area simply see it as a win-win. It saves them time and money and it looks great!

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the most common types of grass that you will see in Texas. Below, you will find the most common types of grass, as well as a quick overview about each one to give you some basic information about it.

1. Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is probably one of the most common types of grass found in Texas. It’s known to be versatile and quite durable so it’s easy for just about anyone to manage. Bermuda can easily be found in seed or sod and it’s super easy to plan and care for once it’s down.

Bermuda grass can grow wild so supplementing your lawn with it will most likely go over pretty easily. It’s very common in parts of Central and South Texas because it’s easy but also tough. It even thrives in areas that tend to be arid, hot, and dry.

2. Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass is not quite as common but it’s a beautiful grass if you decide to try it. It’s still in the top choices for grass in Texas, particularly in areas with a lot of shade. Zoysia isn’t easily bothered by weeds or other pests, so it makes it pretty easy to grow and maintain.

The challenge with this one is that it really needs quite a bit of moisture. If your area is really dry, you can expect a lot of work for this type of grass. However, if you get a decent amount of moisture, you will find the look of this grass is well worth the effort.

Zoysia is most popular in Northern Texas where it isn’t quite as dry or hot.

3. St. Augustine

St. Augustine is another type of grass that is popular in Northern Texas. It’s a top choice in other parts of the state as well because it is versatile and typically easy to grow. It’s a good cross between the simplicity of Bermuda grass and the high maintenance of Zoysia grass.

The challenge with St. Augustine is that you really have to stay on top of things like weeds and pests and those can easily challenge this grass and send it downhill fast. It also requires a bit more water to maintain.

St. Augustine grass is often known as carpet grass as well.

4. Centipede Grass

Centipede grass is a fan favorite because it is low maintenance. It’s found most commonly in Eastern parts of the state. It’s not quite as attractive as some of your other grass types because the leaves are slightly coarse. It likes a lot of sun but does not care for really dry weather.

The best part about centipede grass is it doesn’t grow very quickly so it doesn’t have to be mowed as often, even when it is strong and healthy.

5. Kentucky Bluegrass

Kentucky Bluegrass is all about the cool parts of Texas. This turf-style grass is really popular in Northern Texas because it grows healthy and tall. It has a little bit of color in it, which is why it is called bluegrass. The heads of the grass sprout blue.

The challenge with Kentucky bluegrass is that it needs irrigation to grow and that can sometimes be costly or more work than people want to deal with.

6. Texas Bluegrass

Texas Bluegrass has a Kentucky bluegrass parent. Kentucky bluegrass and some sort of native Texas bluegrass were bred together to create this particular turf option. The difference between the two is that Texas bluegrass is much more suited to the heat of Texas and won’t require irrigation to thrive.

This one is popular in several regions of the state, stretching from Northern Texas to Northeastern and central parts of Texas as well.

7. Seashore Paspalum

Looking for something that will thrive even in the hottest of summers? Seashore Paspalum might just be the answer. This grass is popular in the lower half of the state, spanning from central Texas clear to the Southern border and spanning out both East and West in the Southern areas.

Seashore Paspalum isn’t bothered by saltwater and it isn’t bothered by heat so it does well in all of these areas. It’s most common with sports turf areas.

8. Ryegrass

Ryegrass is really meant to be more temporary but it can be used throughout Texas in different areas. It’s usually used in between seeding seasons, to fill in with Bermuda grass, or even when you have bare ground where erosion might be a concern.

9. Tall Fescue

Tall fescue is a common type of turf. It’s usually found in sod form. While it’s most common in Northern and Eastern parts of Texas, it can be used throughout the state. It handles heat, drought, and even different types of soil pretty well.

10. Buffalo Grass

Buffalo Grass is perhaps the grass for Texas that has the widest span of use throughout the state. You can find it almost anywhere, aside from the far Eastern locations. It’s most popular from the Northern area through central parts, even in the South central locations of the state.

Buffalo grass can quickly be invaded with weeds when there is a lot of water. Since These areas are known for heat and sunshine, Buffalo grass does really well and usually is low maintenance as well.

11. Bent Grass

Finally, Bent grass is also sometimes found in Texas. This particular grass is used a lot for beautification specifically. It created a gorgeous grass carpeting that looks very nice. It’s a top choice for places like golf courses because of this.

The grass is very appealing while also being comfortable and strong.

Final Thoughts

There are several different types of grass that work well throughout Texas. You may need to be familiar with the weather in your area before you choose a particular grass. Keep in mind that some grass requires more maintenance than others.

These 11 types of grasses are all found in Texas in different locations, forms, and uses.

Check out the different grasses in:

Jamie

Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.