Different Types of Grass Grown in Florida

There are a variety of grasses that grow well in the warm Florida climate.

Florida features a warm, moist, tropical climate in which warm-season grasses thrive. Throughout much of Florida, the soil is sandy, salty, and moist, due to the proximity to large bodies of salt water, swamps, and marshes. Grasses grown in Florida lawns are very tolerant of hot weather, but are easily damaged by winter frosts.

St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) grows in tropical and sandy locations, including those found in the state of Florida. This grass prefers moist, well-drained soils, but not soils that are overly wet or overly dry. St. Augustine grass is a coarse grass that features compressed, overlapping leaf sheaths. The blades of the leaves feature folds and are smooth to the touch. This type of grass does not have rhizomes like many other types of grass. St. Augustine grass is ideal for Florida because it can easily be killed by cold winter temperatures and thrives in the warm climate Florida offers. This grass will thrive in soils that have a pH of 5.0 to 8.5.

Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass (Cynodon spp.) is one of the most common grasses to grow in Florida lawns. This grass can be seen on golf courses, in fields, and on commercial properties throughout the state. A warm season grass, Bermuda Grass has a fine texture and blades that are medium green in color. This grass is popular due to its vigorous growth and adaptability to a variety of soils, including the moist soils commonly found in the state of Florida. Once planted, Bermuda grass is quick to establish itself. Unfortunately, Bermuda grass is also a high-maintenance grass that is susceptible to damage from a variety of pests and diseases.

Bahiagrass

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) is increasingly used in Florida lawns that feature infertile soils due to their hardy nature and adaptability to nutrient-deficient soils. Bahiagrass is a very low maintenance grass, but is also less attractive than other popular grasses. Bahiagrass features blades that are light in color and coarse in texture. The coverage provided by this grass can be sparse. The four varieties of this grass grown in Florida lawns are Common, Argentine, Pensacola and Paraguay.

References

• Texas A&M University: St. Augustine Grass
• University of Florida: Bermudagrass
• University of Florida: Bahiagrass