Best Types of Grass in Texas (6 Varieties)

No matter how you look at it, planting or replanting your lawn will be a significant investment—both in time and money.

Being in Texas, it’s essential to understand that the type of grass you need is closely tied to your location. Although researching turfgrass may not be your idea of a fun afternoon, you must prioritize this task before selecting the best grass for your lawn.

Your first objective is to determine precisely what grass is available to you. The state is so large, and the planting and environmental conditions are so site-specific that the types of grass in Texas vary significantly. Determining what’s available in your area should be a priority. The good news is that different types of grass are suitable for specific regions in Texas.

Overview of the Best Grass for Texas

Below I’ve pulled together recommendations for grass types in Texas depending on whether you’re located in the North, South or Central part of the state.

Best Grass for North Texas

• Buffalograss
• Zoysiagrass

Best Grass for South Texas

• Bermudagrass
• Augustinegrass

Best Grass for Central Texas

• Centipedegrass
• Seashore Paspalum

6 Types of Grass in Texas that Do Well + Why

There are many types of grass in Texas to choose from. Each one is suited for your property’s specific weather, land, and other environmental factors. Read on to see which turfgrass is best for your lawn.

Bermudagrass

Before discussing specific turf for specific locations, let’s discuss one that does well throughout Texas. Bermudagrass could arguably be the best grass for Texas. It’s the most common grass in Texas because it thrives in full sunlight, is tolerant of high traffic, and is drought resistant. It’s also the best grass for Texas heat. But it would be wise to investigate the variety of bermudagrass you are considering. Bermudagrasses are suited explicitly for lawns, golf courses, or athletic fields. So, if you want your yard to look like a PGA fairway, be sure you select the correct variety. But remember, most grasses designed for golf courses and athletic fields require significantly more maintenance.

Parts of Texas Particularly Good for Bermudagrass: Found throughout Texas.

Buffalograss

Buffalograss is well suited for Central, West, and North Texas. You’ll find buffalograss is one of the lower-maintenance types of grass in North Texas. It does well in full sunshine, does not tolerate shade well, and does better in areas that typically produce lower rainfall levels. When overwatered or extensively shaded, weeds and other grass can easily invade buffalograss. When looking for a sturdy turf that is relatively easy to care for, you should consider buffalograss.

Parts of Texas Particularly Good for Buffalograss: Buffalograss is found in the south-central region, as well as out westward to El Paso and up to the north where the High Plains and Rolling Plains are located. You won’t often see Buffalograss in the sandy soils that are typical in east Texas though, nor in southeast Texas where rainfall levels are high.

Zoysiagrass

Zoysiagrass, like bermudagrass, can be found throughout Texas. Also, like bermudagrass, zoysiagrass is drought resistant but will turn brown sooner than bermudagrass. It has light to moderate shade tolerance but will be fine in full sun. Be sure to check the variety of zoysiagrass you are considering. Some require much more maintenance than others.

Parts of Texas Particularly Good for Zoysiagrass: Central and northern Texas are ideal locations for zoysiagrass. But it’s highly versatile and may be found in many other areas of Texas.

St. Augustinegrass

If you are in South-Eastern or Eastern Texas, consider St. Augustinegrass.  Some believe it to be the best grass for South Texas. Although varieties of St. Augustinegrass may be grown in most of the state, it requires additional maintenance in some of these areas. St. Augustinegrass is typically a wide blade grass that is very shade tolerant. However, it is susceptible to drought conditions and cool temperatures. Warm, shaded lawns with regular irrigation are best for this type of grass.

Parts of Texas Particularly Good for St. Agustinegrass: This turfgrass has proven well adapted to coastal areas, including Galveston and Brownsville.

Centipedegrass

Along with the more universal Central Texas grass types, centipedegrass is one of the best grasses for Central Texas. This grass does best in the Eastern parts of Central and Southern Texas. It’s a low-maintenance grass that enjoys more sun and less shade. It is not drought tolerant, so irrigation should also be part of your planning. You’ll find centipedegrass used quite predominantly in areas like Dallas and Austin.

Parts of Texas Particularly Good for Centipedegrass: Centipedegrass is found in Central and Eastern areas of Texas, such as Austin, Fort Hood, and Waco.

Seashore Paspalum

Seashore Paspalum also does well in Central and South Texas. It is not very tolerant of cool temperatures but does tolerate higher salinity levels in irrigation. The salinity tolerance makes this grass one of, if not the, best grass for Central Texas. As the name implies, Seashore Paspalum is ideal for coastal locations but can be adapted to more inland property.

Parts of Texas Particularly Good for Paspalum: Paspalum is also found in Central and Eastern areas of Texas, such as Texarkana and Beaumont.

Environmental Considerations (Extremely Important)

Having trouble choosing between the options I’ve talked about? Environmental considerations must be factored into any plans for your turf. You will need to primarily gather data related to your property to select what turfgrass to install. It would be best to note the typical rainfall for your area, the soil’s acidity level(s), and the usual amount of sunshine to expect. You will also need to research the fertilizer recommended for the turfgrass you select and any run-off areas around your property. You may also need to consider local or state regulations.

Don’t Forget Cool-Season Grasses

Texas is not usually considered a cold-weather state. However, the difference in average temperature between North and South Texas can be as much as 10 degrees. So, if you are considering a move to North Texas, you should also investigate the following grasses for use in cooler temperatures:

• Kentucky Bluegrass
• Ryegrass
• Tall Fescue
• Texas Bluegrass