Looking to keep your lawn looking lush all season long? When it comes to finding the best grass seed for extreme heat, it's important to choose a variety that can thrive in hot, dry climates. Luckily, there are plenty of options available on the market today that can help keep your lawn looking green and beautiful even during the hottest months of the year. In this review, we'll be taking a closer look at some of the top-performing grass seed varieties for extreme heat, examining the features and benefits of each and helping you make an informed purchasing decision. So whether you're dealing with scorching temperatures in the Southwest or just looking to keep your lawn looking great all summer, there's a grass seed out there that's perfect for your needs.
Related: Best grass seed for Quebec
TL;DR
Bermuda grass, a warm-season variety known for its drought-tolerance and ability to thrive in full sun. Its resilience against high traffic and quick rejuvenation after drought makes it an ideal choice. Varieties like Common Bermuda, Celebration, GN1, and Tifway 419 show the highest heat and drought tolerance. Alternatively, Zoysia grass, with its heat-resistant varieties like El Toro and Empire, provides a lush, slow-growing turf that can withstand both sun and shade.
Other heat-tolerant grasses include St. Augustine Grass, Buffalo Grass, Centipede Grass, and Bahia Grass. Each has unique features like shade tolerance, low water requirement, or pest resistance, catering to diverse lawn needs in hot climates. Choose wisely and enjoy a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn all summer.
Bermuda Grass
As someone who loves lush green lawns but hates the idea of spending all summer watering and babying it, I was on the lookout for the best grass seed for extreme heat. After researching and trying different options, I can confidently say that Bermuda grass is a great option to consider.
Also known as bermudagrass, this warm-season grass is a popular choice in North America, especially in the southern regions where it's bred to be more drought-tolerant. And when I say drought-tolerant, I mean it really does well without too much watering. Bermuda grass loves the sun and withstands high traffic with ease. It’s ideal for areas that experience extended periods of drought. And when the rain finally comes, it springs back to life quickly.
During the growing season, Bermuda grass requires frequent mowing, but that's a small price to pay for a gorgeous lawn. If you're worried about the winter months turning your lawn brown and dead-looking, you can overseed with ryegrass to maintain a green lawn all winter long.
Also read: Best grass seed for quick growth
In my search for the best grass seed for extreme heat, I came across several varieties of Bermuda grass considered to be the most drought and heat-tolerant. These varieties include Common Bermuda, Celebration, GN1, Grimes EXP, TexTurf, TifSport, and Tifway 419.
To sum it up, if you're looking for a beautiful and low-maintenance lawn that can withstand the extreme heat, Bermuda grass is definitely worth considering. It's a durable and reliable grass type that can thrive in full sun, responds quickly to watering after drought, and can withstand high traffic with ease. The varieties bred to grow in the south are especially drought-tolerant and could be a great option for those who live in areas that experience long periods of water scarcity.
Zoysia Grass
What sets Zoysia apart from other grasses? For one, once it is established, its lush leaves can tolerate foot traffic with ease. This is a huge plus for families with kids or pets, as you won't have to worry about a patchy lawn. And let's be real - who wants to spend their weekends watering and mowing their lawn? Zoysia requires little upkeep compared to other grasses, cutting down on maintenance time and costs.
When it comes to drought and heat tolerance, different varieties of Zoysia have varying levels. The most drought and heat resistant cultivated varieties of Zoysia include El Toro, Empire, Jamur, and Palisades. This means that even during the hottest times of the year, Zoysia will still provide you with a lush green carpet of turf.
Overall, Zoysia grass is a great option for those looking for a grass seed that can withstand extreme heat. While it may be slower growing than Bermuda or St. Augustine, its other benefits more than make up for it. And with drought-resistant varieties available, you can rest easy knowing that your lawn will look great even during the driest of seasons.
St. Augustine Grass
If you're searching for the best grass seed for extreme heat, St. Augustine grass deserves your attention. A coarse-textured warm-season grass that thrives in dappled shade, it's particularly well-suited for areas that don't endure heavy traffic. Florida has made St. Augustine grass the most popular grass variety in the state, but this grass has made fans all over the world, including in the Gulf Coast, Africa, and Pacific Islands where it's known for its exceptional heat tolerance.
One of the benefits of St. Augustine grass that's likely to appeal to you is that it remains green throughout winter dormancy without requiring huge amounts of water. The most drought and heat-tolerant cultivated variety of this species is called Floratam.
This medium green, coarse-leaf grass is an excellent choice if you're looking for a lawn that prefers dappled shade and is suitable for moderate traffic. But it may not be the best option if you're looking for a lawn that is heavily/widely trafficked. Excessive watering during winter months can leave it susceptible to diseases.
If you're looking for a warm-season turfgrass with excellent shade tolerance, St. Augustine should be on your list. Floratam, in particular, is one of the most drought-resistant varieties of this grass, which is great news if you live in an area that experiences long periods of hot, dry weather.
All in all, St. Augustine grass is an excellent choice for anyone searching for a grass variety that can withstand hot temperatures, dappled shade, and moderate traffic. With the right care and watering, this grass can provide a lush and green lawn all year round.
Buffalo Grass
This cool-season grass is native to the Midwest and is known for its hardiness and infrequent need for mowing. It's the perfect option for those looking for the best grass seed for extreme heat.
One of the most attractive features of buffalo grass is its low water requirement. In fact, it only needs a quarter of an inch of water per week during the summer months. This is a significant decrease compared to other grass varieties, making it perfect for those living in hot and dry areas.
Native to the Midwest, buffalo grass was once a staple in the diets of the roaming buffalo herds. It requires full sun and very little, if any, water once fully established. This makes it a low-maintenance option for those looking to conserve water and reduce their carbon footprint.
However, buffalo grass doesn't tolerate foot traffic well, so we recommend keeping it it five inches or longer to prevent damage. Additionally, this grass must be established from plugs rather than seed, making it a bit more labor-intensive initially.
All varieties of this species are considered drought-tolerant, but newer varieties such as Legacy are favored over others. Legacy is a cultivated variety bred especially for low water landscaping.
Centipede Grass
If you're looking for the best grass seed for extreme heat, you might want to give centipede grass a try. This slow-growing warm-season grass is known for its apple or lime-green color, making it a standout option for anyone looking for a vibrant lawn. But centipede grass is more than just a pretty face. It's also one of the hardiest types of grass around, making it the perfect choice for extreme heat scenarios.
If you're wondering why centipede grass is such a good option for hot environments, the proof is in the statistics. This grass has excellent shade tolerance, which means that it can thrive in even the most adverse growing conditions. Thanks to its slow-growing nature, it also provides a low-maintenance lawn once fully established. And, perhaps most importantly, it can survive in acidic soil, which makes it ideal for planting in shady areas under pine trees.
All of these factors make centipede grass a great choice for anyone looking to create a beautiful lawn that is also easy to maintain. And when it comes to choosing the right grass seed for extreme heat, it's hard to go wrong with this variety.
So if you're ready to take your lawn to the next level, consider giving centipede grass a try. Its apple or lime-green color, slow-growing but attractive features, and low-maintenance nature are sure to make it a hit with both you and your neighbors. And, of course, it's the perfect choice for anyone looking to survive extreme heat without sacrificing the beauty and health of their lawn.
Bahia Grass
This all-purpose grass has a prolific root system that enables it to find water deeper down than other grasses, making it a great option for areas with poor soil or limited access to water.
One thing to keep in mind is that bahia grass requires full sun to thrive, so it may not be suitable for shady areas of your lawn. Additionally, it can thin out over time, so you may need to over seed or re-seed certain areas periodically.
Of course, bahia grass is just one option to consider when it comes to heat-tolerant grasses. Other warm-season grasses like bermuda grass, zoysia grass, St. Augustine grass, and centipede grass are also worth exploring.
If you're looking for alternatives to drought-tolerant grass, you might consider artificial turf, permeable paving, or mixing different grass species to create a more resilient lawn.
And while there's no grass seed that doesn't require any water, some grasses are better at surviving drought conditions with minimal water. Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are both cool-season grasses that can perform well during droughts.
Ultimately, the key to promoting healthy grass is to fine-tune your irrigation strategy, maintain an appropriate grass length, aerate your lawn, keep weeds to a minimum, and overseed areas that have died back. With the right approach, you can help your grass to grow back healthy and strong even in the toughest conditions.
Questions you might be asking
What is the best type of grass seed for extreme heat?
The best grass seed for extreme heat is Bermuda grass. It is a warm-season grass variety that can tolerate high temperatures and drought conditions while still growing well.
Will Bermuda grass grow in all soil types?
Bermuda grass can thrive in many different types of soil, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. However, it prefers well-drained soil that is slightly acidic.
When is the best time to plant Bermuda grass seed?
The best time to plant Bermuda grass seed is in late spring to early summer when soil temperatures have warmed up to a minimum of 65 degrees Fahrenheit (or 18 degrees celcius).
Which Grass is the Most Drought-Tolerant?
The most drought-tolerant grass is Bermuda Grass, also known as Couch Grass. This grass is able to survive prolonged periods of drought and can tolerate heat, making it the ideal choice for areas with dry, hot climates.
What is Drought Tolerance?
Drought tolerance is the ability of a plant to survive and thrive under prolonged periods of dry weather. Drought-tolerant plants have mechanisms to conserve water and withstand extreme heat and lack of rainfall.
Is There a Grass Seed That Doesn't Need Watering?
No grass seed can survive without any water. However, there are grass species that require less water than others. Some drought-tolerant grass seeds that need minimal watering include Bermuda Grass, Zoysia Grass, and Buffalo Grass.
Can Grass Get Too Much Sun?
Yes, grass can get too much sun, especially during hot summer days. Too much sun can cause the grass to wither, dry out, and turn yellow or brown. It's important to choose a grass species that is well adapted to the amount of sunlight in your location.
What is the best grass seed for full sun?
The best grass seed for full sun is a warm-season grass such as Bermuda Grass. Warm-season grasses are native to areas with hot summers and are adapted to handle full sun exposure.
What is the most drought tolerant grass seed?
The most drought-tolerant grass seeds include Bermuda Grass, Zoysia Grass, and Buffalo Grass. These grasses have deep root systems that can access moisture deep underground and help the plant survive during extended periods without rain.
Does grass stop growing in extreme heat?
Grass can slow down growth during extreme heat and drought. When the temperature is too high, the grass will conserve energy and water by reducing its growth rate. However, the grass will continue to grow as long as it receives the basic requirements of water, sunlight, and nutrients.
What warm season grass is the most durable?
The most durable warm season grasses include Bermuda Grass, Zoysia Grass, and Centipede Grass. These grasses are known for their toughness, high traffic resistance, and ability to recover quickly from damage. They are ideal for high-traffic areas such as sports fields and playgrounds.