What Grass Is Best for South Florida Lawns?

St. Augustine Grass

• According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, St. Augustine Grass is one of the best grass varieties for South Florida. The grass grows well in warm, humid areas of the world and is native to coastal regions including the United States Gulf Coast and the Mediterranean. In Florida, St. Augustine is used across the state because it adapts to a wide variety of soils and pH types. The grass is tolerant to both salt and shady conditions, but thrives in sunlight.

Bahiagrass

• Bahiagrass is native to Brazil, but was introduced to the United States in 1914 as a pasture grass for the Southeast. Bahia is popular for turf because it is low maintenance and grows well in infertile soils. The grass forms extensive roots and will remain green during the extreme summer heat and drought in South Florida. The grass has few disease or insect problems. Because it will establish well from seed, bahia is inexpensive to install in a lawn.

Bermudagrass

• Bermuda is a grass that was introduced to the United States from Africa via. Bermuda. It is among the most widely used of the southern grasses. The turf will hold up under foot traffic, resist salt in soil and aggressively spreads on stolons or runners. The turf of Bermuda is dense and will adapt to a wide range of soils. Summer heat will cause Bermuda to become dormant in order to survive drought conditions.

Zoysia

• Zoysia grass is a warm-season turf that is native to Asia. Zoysia has a dense growth habit that makes weeds difficult to establish in a lawn. Zoysia is slow growing, will withstand shade and are salt tolerant. Some cultivars will stand up to heavy foot traffic well. Zoysia is less popular than other varieties because it is slow to establish and requires dethatching yearly. Zoysia also has poor drought tolerance, which means that the lawn requires irrigation in the warmest part of Florida's summer.