When it comes to curb appeal, your lawn—and, more specifically, the types of grass you choose—can make or break your home's look. Pick the right type of grass to suit your climate, soil type, and needs, and you'll ensure a lush, vibrant stretch of land that's more resilient to the elements. Pick the wrong one, and you may find yourself doing excessive maintenance—think watering, fertilizing, and mowing—for a plot of patchy grass that never seems to take root.
However, with thousands of grasses in the world, you'd be forgiven for glazing over the details of what each type has to offer. The good news? There are really only 10 you need to get to know when it comes to home gardening, landscaping experts say.
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What Does Grass Do?
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Grass provides several benefits for your yard, says Michael Clarke, a landscape architect, horticulturist and the founder of Yardwork. "Most importantly it cools your landscape and provides a soft cushion to do activities on," he says.
Craig Elworthy, founder of the natural lawn care company Lawnbright, says lawns have recently gotten a bad rap for their impact on the environment but that they are "hugely beneficial" when cared for properly.
"They are effectively a carbon sink, taking in carbon from the atmosphere and producing oxygen on a scale that's almost as efficient as trees," he tells Best Life.
When cultivated thoughtfully to include a range of grasses, flowers, trees, and other plants, your lawn area can support a biodiverse ecosystem that helps plants and animals thrive.
How Many Different Types of Grass Are There?
When you get out into the wild, there are between 11,000 and 13,000 species of grass on the planet. According to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, these are currently classified in 12 subfamilies, 52 tribes, 90 subtribes, and more than 768 genera.
"However, when we narrow it down to desirable turfgrass in a residential yard, only a handful emerge," Elworthy explains. "These are broken down into two primary types: warm season and cool season grasses."
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Warm Season Grass
Warm-season grasses tend to grow naturally in hot climates—in the U.S., this means they're typically found in the southern and southwestern regions. Elworthy notes that they tend to grow vigorously in the summer months.
"This grass type typically does not need to be 'seeded' like a traditional cool season grass because they spread largely on their own through rhizomes and stolons," he shares.
1. Bermuda
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Season: Spring/Summer
Texture: Medium coarse
Color: Gray-green
Maintenance level: Medium
2. Zoysia
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Season: Spring/Summer
Texture: Soft
Color: Light green
Maintenance level: High
3. Centipede
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Season: Spring/Summer
Texture: Coarse
Color: Light green
Maintenance level: High
4. St. Augustine
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Season: Spring/Summer
Texture: Coarse
Color: Green or blue-green
Maintenance level: High
5. Buffalo grass
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Season: Spring/Summer
Texture: Soft
Color: Gray-green or blue-green
Maintenance level: Low
6. Bahia
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Season: Spring/Summer
Texture: Coarse
Color: Light green
Maintenance level: Low
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Cool Season Grass
Able to thrive in colder climates, cool-season grasses are characterized by their ability to grow in the shoulder seasons, spring and fall. Elworthy says they tend to grow slowly in the summer.
"These grasses require seeding as they will not spread on their own like warm season grasses," he points out.
7. Tall Fescue
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Season: Fall/Spring
Texture: Coarse
Color: Medium to dark green
Maintenance level: Medium
8. Ryegrass
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Season: Fall/Spring
Texture: Fine
Color: Dark green
Maintenance level: Medium
9. Kentucky Bluegrass
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Season: Fall/Winter/Spring
Texture: Fine
Color: Green to blue-green
Maintenance level: Medium to high
10. Fine Fescue
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Season: Spring/Summer/Fall
Texture: Fine
Color: Dark gray-green
Maintenance level: Low
RELATED: 6 Ways to Pest-Proof Your Grass, According to Landscaping Experts.
What Type of Grass Is Best for My Lawn?
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Choosing between grass types will depend on your climate, daily use, and sun exposure, says Clarke.
"Many western states tend to use cool season grass like Kentucky Bluegrass, sometimes mixed with Bermuda grass for consistent color all year and high durability. Much of the east, north, and central U.S. use Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue," he tells Best Life. "Tall fescue is the most durable cool season grass and withstands heavy use, whereas fine fescue is less durable but does better in heavily shaded areas."
Meanwhile, warmer climates and southern states tend to use Bermuda and St. Augustine, which do well in full sun. However, if activity is high throughout the year, Clarke says that Bermuda grass is considered preferable because of its durability.
Conclusion
If you're not sure about your own lawn's needs, it's best to consult a local horticulturist, lawn care expert, or neighbor in the know. They will be able to share insights about which species tend to thrive in your area, provide care tips, and more. Then, once you've selected your grass type, be sure to read up on how to care for it, including watering, fertilizing, mowing, weeding, and more. This will help ensure that you can enjoy your grass in all its lush, green glory for many years to come.
