Grass Species Guide
Detailed growing guides for all 15 grass species recommended on LawnByCounty. Find zone compatibility, drought tolerance, mowing requirements, and county-level recommendations.
Cool-Season Grasses
Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis
Zones: 3a–7a
Drought tolerance: 2/5
Mowing height: 2.5–3.5"
Water needs: 30–40 in/yr
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Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Zones: 4a–7b
Drought tolerance: 4/5
Mowing height: 3–4"
Water needs: 20–30 in/yr
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Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
Zones: 3a–7a
Drought tolerance: 2/5
Mowing height: 1.5–2.5"
Water needs: 25–35 in/yr
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Fine Fescue
Festuca spp.
Zones: 3a–6b
Drought tolerance: 3/5
Mowing height: 2.5–3.5"
Water needs: 15–25 in/yr
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Bentgrass
Agrostis stolonifera
Zones: 3a–6a
Drought tolerance: 1/5
Mowing height: 0.25–1"
Water needs: 35–50 in/yr
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Wheatgrass
Agropyron cristatum
Zones: 3a–6a
Drought tolerance: 5/5
Mowing height: 3–5"
Water needs: 8–18 in/yr
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Warm-Season Grasses
Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon
Zones: 7a–10b
Drought tolerance: 5/5
Mowing height: 0.5–2"
Water needs: 20–30 in/yr
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Zoysiagrass
Zoysia japonica
Zones: 6a–9a
Drought tolerance: 4/5
Mowing height: 1–2.5"
Water needs: 20–30 in/yr
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St. Augustinegrass
Stenotaphrum secundatum
Zones: 8a–10b
Drought tolerance: 2/5
Mowing height: 2.5–4"
Water needs: 30–45 in/yr
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Buffalograss
Bouteloua dactyloides
Zones: 5a–8a
Drought tolerance: 5/5
Mowing height: 2–4"
Water needs: 10–20 in/yr
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Bahiagrass
Paspalum notatum
Zones: 8a–10a
Drought tolerance: 4/5
Mowing height: 3–4"
Water needs: 25–35 in/yr
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Centipedegrass
Eremochloa ophiuroides
Zones: 7b–9a
Drought tolerance: 3/5
Mowing height: 1.5–2.5"
Water needs: 20–30 in/yr
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Seashore Paspalum
Paspalum vaginatum
Zones: 8b–10b
Drought tolerance: 3/5
Mowing height: 0.5–2"
Water needs: 25–40 in/yr
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Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Zones: 4a–7b
Drought tolerance: 5/5
Mowing height: 2–3"
Water needs: 8–15 in/yr
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Dichondra
Dichondra repens
Zones: 8a–10b
Drought tolerance: 2/5
Mowing height: 0.5–2"
Water needs: 25–40 in/yr
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Grass species data compiled from university extension publications and USDA resources. Growing recommendations are general guidelines — consult your local extension office for specific advice.