There’s a lot of ground to cover when it comes to the best grass types for Houston, Texas. Not only do you need to take into account the climate and weather conditions in your area, but you also need to consider what type of soil is present in your yard.
In this Houston grass guide our team of lawn experts will discuss all of the best options for lawncare in Houston, as well as how to choose the right type of grass for your needs. So whether you’re looking for a lush green lawn or something that can withstand high temperatures and humidity our team you covered so you plant the right type of grass!
In This Article:
The Best Types of Grass for Houston
Houston, Texas is a great place to live. Not only is the weather fantastic, but there are also a lot of things to do in this vibrant city. If you’re looking for a lush green lawn to complete your perfect Houston lifestyle, you’re in luck! In this comprehensive lawncare we will discuss the best grass types the Houston area and South Texas, so if you in Conroe, The Woodlands, or in Houston we will help you pick the best type of grass for your house that will work well with the hot Texas environment and humidity.
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is a popular choice for Houston homeowners for a number of reasons. First, it’s drought-resistant, which is always a plus in our hot, humid climate in the South Texas area.
Second, it’s relatively low-maintenance; once it’s established, it doesn’t require a lot of water or fertilizer to keep it looking green and healthy. This makes it a good choice for a busy family that wants a soft grass backyard without extra maintenance (other than turning on the sprinklers).
And last but not least, it’s tough enough to withstand heavy foot traffic, so it’s perfect for homes with active families or pets.
Mowing – Bermuda requires regular mowing to keep it looking its best. It’s best to cut Bermuda grass when it’s no more than two and a half inches tall.
Fertilizing – A good fertilizer for Bermuda grass should contain high amounts of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Apply the fertilizer in late spring/early summer and again in mid-sum
Watering – Bermuda needs at least one inch of water per week, but during hot summer months you may need to increase that amount.
Sunlight – Bermuda is a good choice for the Texas sun because it thrives in full sun.
Zoysia Grass
Zoysia grass is another great option for Houston homes. Like Bermuda grass, it’s drought-resistant and low-maintenance. However, Zoysia grass has a couple of unique features that set it apart from other types of grasses.
First, it has a very fine texture that feels soft and luxurious underfoot which is important because Houston families tend to spend lots of time outdoors due to the almost year round warm weather. If you like to entertain in your backyard – or have a pool – we recommend choosing Zoysia grass.
Second, Zoysia can tolerate shade better than other types of grasses – which is a huge plus in Houston because while we get a lot of sun, there are also plenty of shady areas around trees and buildings. If you live an the Northern part of Houston you likely have Pine trees in your yard and if you live near the gulf Palm trees will provide shade so it is important to have grass that is not dependent on direct sunlight
Plus, Zoysia has good resistance to weeds so you don’t have to worry about your lawn being overrun by weeds and grasses.
And second, it has a slow growth rate, which means you won’t have to mow as often—a definite bonus in the hotter months.
Mowing – Zoysia needs to be mowed at least once a week, but no more than twice a week. It likes to be cut when it’s about three inches tall.
Fertilizing – Fertilize your Zoysia grass in late spring and again in the summer with nitrogen-rich fertilizer
Watering – Zoysia grass needs to be watered deeply at least once a week, but no more than twice a week.
Sunlight – Zoysia grass needs full sun to look its best but can tolerate some shade which makes it a good choice for most areas of Houston
Seashore Paspalum
Seashore Paspalum is our 3rd favorite type of grass for Houston because it can not only handle the heat and humidity of our area but also it is salt tolerant making it a great choice for those living along the coast and are susceptible to salt spray from storms.
Seashore Paspalum is a very fine-textured grass and like Zoysia, it feels luxurious underfoot. It is one of our favorite backyard grasses and is becoming increasingly popular in the Houston area – especially for families that have dogs!
Mowing – Seashore Paspalum needs to be mowed regularly, but no more than once a week. It should be cut when it’s about two and a half inches tall.
Fertilizing – Like other grasses, Seashore paspalum needs fertilizing at the beginning of summer and mid-summer with nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Watering – Seashore Paspalum needs to be watered deeply at least once a week, but no more than twice a week during hot months.
Sunlight – Seashore Paspalum prefers full sun, but it can tolerate some shade as well so it should grow well with tall pine or palm trees in your yard
Weeds – Seashore Paspalum tends to be less prone to weeds than other types of grass, which is a bonus because Spring and Summer weeds can grow out of control if left unchecked!
St. Augustine Grass
If you are wanting luxurious, resort-like feel, St. Augustine grass is definitely worth considering. It’s one of the most popular types of grasses in Houston because it grows thick and lush, creating a beautiful carpet of green that’s perfect for entertaining or just relaxing in your own backyard oasis. However, St. Augustine grass does require more water and fertilizer than some other types of grasses, so keep that in mind when making your decision.
Mowing – St. Augustine requires regular mowing, but no more than once a week. It should be cut when it’s about two and a half inches tall.
Fertilizing – St. Augustine grass needs to be fertilized in late spring and again mid-summer with nitrogen-rich fertilizer like most warm season grass
Watering – One reason we prefer St. Augustine in South Texas is that it needs more water than our other warm season grasses, so it’s a great choice if you are willing to put in the extra effort. It needs to be watered deeply at least once a week during the hot months.
Sunlight – St. Augustine prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade, making it possible to have lush green
Weeds – One potential problem with a St. Augustine lawn is weeds. St. Augustine grass is more prone to weeds than some other types of turfgrass, so it’s important to be vigilant about regular weeding and keeping an eye out for any pesky invaders!
Synthetic Grass
Synthetic Grass (aka Turf) is a growing trend in Houston, especially for those who don’t want to spend time on lawn maintenance or water the grass regularly, or live in area with water restrictions.
Synthetic grass looks and feels like real grass but it is made from a durable plastic material that doesn’t need any chemical treatments or mowing to look great. It’s perfect for families with kids because it is soft and requires almost no maintenance
One down side to synthetic turf is that it can be more expensive than natural grass, but it often lasts a lot longer and you don’t have to worry about weeds or mowing.
Another potential problem is if you have dogs! Dogs will often dig and chew on the turf, so make sure to have a plan for keeping your dog away from it. Plus their restroom breaks can stain the turf and cause a stinky smell if not picked up quickly!
Another downside that many homeowners do not consider is the lack of drainage from a turf lawn. With natural grass, water can sink into the ground, however with turf it just sits on top. This can lead to waterlogging and potential flooding if not taken care of properly – and problems can only get worse during the occasional South Texas hurricane!
Mowing – One of the main benefits of a turf lawn is that you won’t have to worry about mowing! However, you will need to rake or sweep the turf lawn regularly to keep it free of debris.
Fertilizing – Synthetic turf does not require any fertilization and chemicals as it is made of plastic which doesn’t decay or require nutrients like natural grass does. Just keep in mind you may have to replace the fabric every 5 to 10 years due to sun fading
Watering – Fake grass does not require watering, but you will need to account for the lack of drainage during large storms so your home does not flood
Sunlight – Turf grass does not need sunlight but beware, the sun can cause the ‘green’ of your turf to fade overtime
Weeds – Turf does not a problem with weeds, but grass make occasionally poke through and need to be removed by hand
Things to Consider When Choosing a Grass Type
If you are trying to pick the best grass type for your Houston yard, there are a few factors to consider. The climate in Houston is hot and humid, so you’ll want a grass that can withstand those conditions without wilting or becoming patchy. Additionally, the soil type in your area can play an important role as well.
What kind of grass is in lawns Houston?
The best type of grass for Houston is Bermuda grass because it grows well in warm weather and requires little maintenance plus can tolerate heat and drought well.
Which grass is better Bermuda or St. Augustine for Houston?
Bermuda is better than St. Augustine because it is more drought and heat tolerant, has a finer texture, and requires less maintenance. St. Augustine may be better for shady areas since it can tolerate less direct sunlight than Bermuda grass.
When should I plant grass in Houston?
The best time of year to plant new grass seed in Houston is during the late spring or early summer months when temperatures are warm, but not too hot.