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What Kind of Root Does Grass Have?

Grass has fibrous roots consisting of a main section, or crown, that produces ever-smaller, laterally-growing branches that end in tiny filaments. This mat-like growth extends only a few inches deep. All parts, from larger arms to tiny end filaments, absorb water and nutrients, while also anchoring grass to the soil. Grass spreads through its roots, which grow underground shoots, or rhizomes, that develop into new plants. Other types develop roots from creeping stems or stolons.

  1. Crown

    • Grass plants grow from a crown root at the center, which develops many smaller arms and forks. Seeds develop this "radicle," or root embryo, which grows downward before sending out lateral shoots. Aboveground and belowground growth joins at the crown, sending up grass leaves as well as the fibrous root system below that's only a few inches deep. That's why newly seeded lawns need constant watering to become established, and mature lawns require regular watering, too.

    Arms

    • Below the crown root emerges arm roots, which twist and turn through each other to form a system strongly attached to soil. Since grass crown roots are only an inch or less wide, their root arms become very slender very quickly, descending into tendril and hair-like growths. However, some remain large enough to produce rhizomes, the reproductive branching of grass roots along a horizontal path. Root arms and smaller extensions absorb moisture and nutrients.

    Rhizomes

    • Rhizomes emanate from the root crown and have structures more akin to underground stems than to roots. Many types of plants, including iris, spread through rhizomes, which produce new plants. Each rhizome, growing laterally from the mother plant, develops its own system of growth above and below ground, including new root branches, arms and tendrils. Once established, these again can send out new rhizomes, creating new plants and underground systems that further secure the plant.

    Stolons

    • New grass roots also develop from stolons, or creeping grass stems that grow into the soil. Stolons produce new root networks, which then develop new top growth. Unlike more desirable turfgrasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescue and zoysiagrass, the types that spread through stolons are often considered more weed than grass. Some types that spread through stolons include creeping bentgrass, rough bluegrass, St. Augustinegrass and centipedegrass. Some, such as Colonial bentgrass, produce rhizomes and stolons.

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Growing Grass
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