Grasses That Grow Fast

Ornamental

• Most ornamental grasses feature an upright growth pattern that won't create a smooth, green lawn, but they do add interest around the landscape. Ornamental grasses grow very quickly according to the University of Minnesota Extension Service, with some types reaching a height of 5 feet or more within a year. Northern climates with cold winters suit hardy plants like the various types of Carex gray, or gray sedge. Warmer Southern areas have a wider range of annual ornamental grasses available that grow quickly due to the heat and humidity.

Annual

• If you need grass to cover a hill or disturbed area of your landscape quickly, try planting an annual grass. These grasses die off in the winter and won't return unless you let them seed, but many take less than a week to sprout, says the University of Minnesota Extension Service. The annual ryegrass, or Lolium multiflorum, needs full sun but requires little watering and won't grow tall enough to need cutting before winter temperatures stop its growth.

St. Augustine

• For a more traditional lawn, try planting St. Augustine grass. Also known as Stenotaphrum secundatum, this grass grows deep roots that let it grow quickly. This type is grass is usually only available as sod or plugs because it uses runners to spread instead of seed according to Home and Garden Showplace. This growing pattern speeds up the growth and development of a lawn. St. Augustine grass requires warm temperatures and works best in Southern or Western areas of the United States.

Bermuda

• The fast-growing, aggressive plant known as Bermuda grass covers empty yards quickly but invades flower beds and other areas, says Home and Garden Showplace. Like St. Augustine grass, Cynodon dactylon needs full sun and warm temperatures, so Northern home owners will need to stick to a slower-growing lawn grass. Unfortunately, it also requires more maintenance in the form of regular watering and cutting.

Seashore Paspalum

• Paspalum vaginatum, also known as seashore paspalum, comes from the deserts of South Africa. On top of tolerating salt in the water or soil, it grows nearly as fast as Bermuda grass with less maintenance, says FloridaTurf. Like other fast-growing lawn grasses this species needs full sun and plenty of warm days.