Ultimate Guide To Central Florida Grass Types

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Choosing The Right Grass: What Do I Need To Know About Grass Types For My Florida Lawn?

Are you a homeowner considering planting new lawns on your property or hitting the restart button on your existing Central Florida lawn?

Before you dive deep into your landscaping project, it’s important to consider this important piece of information: what conditions will your lawn endure? The answer to this question will determine what grass types or cultivars are best for your lawn.

On Central Florida lawns, the two most common grass types are St. Augustine and Bahia varieties. Zoysia is also seen throughout the Orlando area. With recent progress on the State level, St. Augustine seems to have prevailed as the most common Central Florida grass type. All three types have their pros and cons.

It is important to know what warm season grass types are found on your Central Florida lawn. Knowing your grass variety is crucial: your lawn maintenance schedule depends on it for a lush, healthy green lawn.

So what is the difference between St. Augustine, Bahia, and Zoysia grass? Take a look at this comprehensive guide to Central Florida’s top 3 grass varieties.

1. St. Augustine: High-Maintenance Beauty

Interested in a show-stopper of a lawn? Then look no further than St. Augustine grass. These blades have a blue-green color and form a dense turf that is quick and easy to establish.

St. Augustine Grass Pros	St. Augustine Grass Cons
Beautiful To Look At Drought-Tolerant Withstands High Salt Levels	Turns Brown In Cool Weather Requires High Maintenance Turns To Thatch If Not Cut Properly Vulnerable To Pests, Like Southern Chinch Bugs

This Florida favorite is a popular choice because it loves heat, has excellent drought tolerance, and can handle large amounts of salt, which makes it ideal for coastal areas. St. Augustine grass blades spreads aggressively and quickly.

St. Augustine turfgrass can only handle partial shade and needs at least four hours of full sun. It is also vulnerable to Southern Chinch bugs that can quickly decimate your beautiful lawn if not caught in time. This could be prevented through the use of a St. Augustine cultivar, like Floratam or Seville.

St. Augustine can only handle average foot traffic and requires heavy maintenance to prevent it from becoming thin and spindly. Expert fertilization is usually required to maintain St. Augustine lawn’s full potential and beauty.

St. Augustine Grass: Quick Tips

When To Plant	Soil Conditions	Mower Height	Fertilization
Spring or Summer	Sandy soil with a PH between 5.0-8.5	3-4 inches	Every 6-8 Weeks

2. Bahia: Low Maintenance And Resilient

While typically used for roadsides and pastures, Bahia grass, or Argentine Bahia, is another choice that suits Central Florida lawns. Since it is drought-tolerant, requires little fertilizing, and dislikes heavy watering, Bahia makes a great low maintenance lawn turf, perfect for any new backyard.

Bahia Grass Pros	Bahia Grass Cons
Resilient And Hearty Low Maintenance Resistant To Most Pests And Diseases	Cannot Be Used On Lawns Using Pest Or Fertilization Services Not Tolerant Of Heavy Foot Traffic Susceptible To Overwatering Vulnerable to High Salt Levels Or The Cold

Bahia grass establishes deep roots and and tolerates stress and foot traffic well because of its enormous root system. Properly cared for Bahia will also crowd out weeds and is resistant to pest invasions. The only serious threat to Bahia is the mole cricket, which will burrow through and damage the root system.

This species of grass is not recommended for lawns that require pest or fertilization services. Herbicides and pesticides can kill or decelerate the growth of Bahia. This species of grass also does not enjoy shady spots, preferring lawns that receive full sun.

Bahia is identified by its coarse light-green blades. Its leaves sometimes look folded and come to a sharp point. The light green shade of Bahia grass often darkens when fertilizer is applied. During colder months, it can be watered and seeded to maintain it’s beautiful green color.

Bahia Grass: Quick Tips

When To Plant	Soil Conditions	Mower Height	Fertilization
Spring or Early Summer	Sandy soil with a PH between 5.5-6.5	3-4 inches	2-4 times a year

3. Zoysia: Better Than Bermuda Grass And Buffalo Grass

Zoysia, zoysiagrass, is another popular choice for Central Florida lawns for good reason. Typically used on golf courses, this grass variety isn’t picky. Zoysia flourishes in a variety of environments and can withstand considerable variations in exposure to sunlight, watering, and temperature.

Zoysia Grass Pros	Zoysia Grass Cons
Low Maintenance Resistant To Common Pests & Diseases Thick Turf Crowds Out Weeds Works Well In Shaded Areas	Golden Brown Color For Duration Of Colder Months Extended Time for Full Fill-In Hard To Obtain In Certain Areas

Zoysia grass is resistant to insects, weeds, and diseases. Additionally, it handles high-traffic well and is drought-resistant. It’s turf like texture is resistant to weeds and requires little water and fertilizer to thrive.

Zoysia grass does go dormant in cold temperatures. This variety turns golden brown around September and does not regain color until spring. Zoysia seeds are no readily available and can be hard to obtain in certain areas. Zoysiagrass also takes 2-3 years to fully fill in after its initiate application.

Zoysia grass a dark green, dense, turf-like grass. Its leaf blades are stiff and needle like and will produce numerous seed heads if not mowed regularly. It has a fine texture and has a short natural growth height.

Zoysia Grass: Quick Tips

When To Plant	Soil Conditions	Mower Height	Fertilization
Mid to Late Spring	Works for multiple types, but thrives in slightly acidic soil with low potassium	1-2 Inches	Every 6-8 weeks until dormant

The Best Grass Seed And Landscaping For Your Florida Lawn

Have you found a favorite grass type, but need help with seeding and soil types? Choosing the wrong grass type for your lawn can result in a patchy, unattractive lawn.

Before taking the plunge, contact experts to evaluate your property and guide you to the best grass choice for your lawn.

LawnWorx has over 25 years of experience pampering the landscaping of Central Florida. We offer lawn care maintenance and pest services to keep your Florida lawn healthy and green.

Our technicians are well versed in all types of grass that flourish for the lawn of your dreams!

Central Florida Grass Types FAQs

How do I know the right grass for my home?

Choosing the right grass type is challenging, so it is best to consult with the experts to make sure you have the right type of grass for your home.

What grass is best for shaded areas?

Zoysia grass is a grass type with high shade tolerance.