The Best Low-Maintenance Grass

Bermuda Grass

• Bermuda grass (Cynodon species) wears well under heavy foot traffic, and because of its deep root system it thrives in sunny, hot conditions. This drought-tolerant grass is capable of handling various soil types, including salty soil. When selecting a Bermuda grass cultivar, choose a seeded variety. Seeded varieties require less watering, fertilizing and mowing. The grass is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10.

Buffalograss

• Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) is the only native North American turf grass, and this species has evolved into an excellent heat- and drought-tolerant grass. This fine-textured, grayish-green, low-growing grass thrives with little fertilizer, water or mowing, making it a very low-maintenance option. Left unmowed, the grass reaches about 4 inches; with heavy watering, the grass reaches only 6 inches. This grass dislikes shade and does best in full sun. It is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9.

Centipede Grass

• The light-green, ultra-low-maintenance centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) is appropriately nicknamed “lazy man's grass” because of its slow growth habit. This grass is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10 and thrives in full sun with well-drained, acidic soil. It tolerates shade but not foot traffic, so centipede grass should be used in low-traffic areas. The most common problem with centipede grass is overfertilizing in an effort to enhance its color. This leads to thatch buildup and large brown dead patches in the lawn.

Zoysia Grass

• Zoysia grass (zoysia spp.) is a low-growing, low-maintenance grass that forms a dense, medium-green turf. Once established, it is water-efficient and requires less nitrogen than other turf grasses. It has high tolerance for heat, drought and foot traffic, and it can handle salt spray and shade. Zoysia can be difficult to mow evenly and looks best when mowed with a reel mower. It has a strawlike appearance in winter. The grass is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9.