With the ever-worsening matter of water shortage in today’s world, drought-tolerant grasses can come really handy, especially if you live in an area where you have limitations on water usage. The United States is one of the countries that is trying to deal with such water issues sensibly. For this reason, major cities like San Antonio have approved lists of drought-tolerant lawn grasses one has to choose from for their homes and other real estates.
Many cool-season drought-resistant varieties of grass, without additional watering, can become dormant during dry summer months, while others can thrive on occasional rain. These are good options for the Northern and Midwestern US states like Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, and Michigan.
Also known as fine fescue, this bunch-type drought grass is adaptable and highly traffic-tolerant, featuring a coarse texture. Since each tall fescue grows from one seed, you need to spread the seeds thickly on the lawn. It is one of the best choices for those living in the central part (transition zone) of the US.
Water Requirement: 1-1.25 inches of water per week, preferably not all at a time Sunlight Requirement: About 4 hours of partial sunlight, shows incredible shade tolerance Mowing Need: Frequent mowing (every 7-8 days) to a height of 2.5-3.5 inches USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
Being thick, lush, and hardy, it is quite widespread in the Midwest (Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin). This grass species, known for making a bumpy surface, is slow to develop from seeds. Therefore, plugs should be purchased and planted roughly 5 inches apart.
Water Requirement: 0.25 inches of water each week during the dry summer months Sunlight Requirement: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day Mowing Need: Cut the grass high at about 4-5 inches USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-8
Another eye-catching drought-tolerant grass that grows in clusters, the sheep fescue or blue fescue offers more of a rough and bumpy surface, which is not suitable for backyard activities like playing, exploring, or relaxing in the outdoor. Typically used along steep slopes, roadsides, or waterways, its bunching form makes it suitable for pairing with wildflowers. It does not need much maintenance, fertilizing once every two years.
Water Requirement: Twice or less in a month, once established Sunlight Requirement: Full sun, partial shade Mowing Need: Infrequent mowing; cut back in winter before new growth starts in spring USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
The wheatgrass varieties, known for having good drought tolerance, are coarse, fine-leaved grasses with a dense, low-growing turf that is resistant to erosion. They grow rapidly and can be used in places where drought-resistant ground cover is needed, including spoil banks, roadsides, borrow pits, airport surfaces, and irrigation banks. Basic Care includes occasional use of a little fertilizer for keeping grass bugs and fruit flies away.
Water Requirement: Water lightly twice a day, using a lawn sprinkler or water sprayer Sunlight Requirement: Grows well in direct sunlight, tolerates partial shade Mowing Need: Cut down to a height of 3/4 inch for promoting continued growth USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Since the weather in the Southern and Southwestern US is quite hot, with the states in these regions having considerable water-shortage problems, it is best to choose a heat-tolerant grass that can live on little water. The following options can be good for you if you live in states like Texas, California, New Mexico, Florida, Utah, etc. Some of these grasses are grown explicitly for their drought-resisting ability, while others are bred for their disease resistance or color.
Lime-green or apple-green in color, the centipede grass is a slow-growing, low-maintenance variety. It can survive on sandy or acidic soil with limited nutrients. It remains green if the winter is mild, but sustains damage if the winter temperatures drop very low. Once they are established, apply a little amount of fertilizer in spring and late summer.
Water Requirement: If the lawn appears dry during the summer months, water the soil to a depth of 1 inch the next morning Sunlight Requirement: Excels in partial shade or full sun Mowing Need: Occasionally cut them to maintain a height of 1.5-2 inches USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Also known as scutch grass, wiregrass, Bahama grass, dubo, and couch grass, the Bermuda grass is an excellent traffic-tolerant species that thrive under full sun. It is more sensitive to cold than some of the other warm-season grasses, such as Zoysia grass, and typically over seeded with ryegrass to retain green color in the winter. Some drought-resistant cultivars of Bermuda grass include GN1, Celebration, Grimes EXP, Tifway 419, TifSport, and common Bermuda.
Water Requirement: Water the yard to a depth of about 1 inch when the turf starts to dry, appearing bluish Sunlight Requirement: A minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight Mowing Need: Cut down to a height of about 1 inch in the winter and around 1-2 inches during summer months USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-10
Popular across Asia, Australia, and several islands in the Pacific, this group of creeping grasses is well-tolerant of both sun and shade. While its growth rate is slower than Bermuda grass, it provides a lush, green turf with excellent foot-traffic tolerance. Its drought-resisting ability differs depending on the cultivars, which include Jamur, Empire, Palisades, and El Toro. You can apply fertilizers containing nitrogen during winter provided that your lawn is in the coastal region, and no frost is forecasted.
Water Requirement: Grows well on about one inch of water each week Sunlight Requirement: Full sun, partial shade Mowing Need: Cut the grasses down to a height of 1-1.5 inches during winter and about 1.5-2.5 inches during the summer months USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10
One of the most popular drought-resistant varieties for lawns and gardens in Florida and along the Gulf coast, the St Augustine grass is medium-green in color with a coarse texture, and tolerates moderate foot-traffic. Although it retains its color in winter, it is likely to be affected by fungal diseases if overwatered. Some of its cultivars with the best drought-resisting ability are Floratam, Palmetto, Seville, Texas Common, and Raleigh.
Water Requirement: Wet the soil to about 6 inches, especially when the weather is very dry and warm Sunlight Requirement: Adaptable to partial shade/full sun, needs 6-8 hours of direct sunlight Mowing Need: Cut the grass by setting the mowing height at 2.5-3 inches USDA Hardiness Zone: 9
For lawns and gardens located in drought-prone areas, the ornamental grasses are excellent choices for landscape designing. These grass varieties, known for being easy on the eyes, are also easy to maintain.
Known for its hardiness, it grows to a height of 4-6 feet comprising green leaf blades and bearing coppery-red plumes in fall. While it grows well in well-drained soil, divide the grass every 2-3 years to manage the clumps.
Water Requirement: Water occasionally, more often in extreme heat Sunlight Requirement: Excels in full sun Mowing Need: Trim the foliage to ground level during late winter/early spring to create enough space for the new shoots to develop USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
It is a quick-growing, tall ornamental grass that can reach a maximum height of about 8 ft, preferring well-drained soil and partial shade. It has green grass blades that consist of bunches of pink and white flowers blooming in late summer.
Water Requirement: Once established, water the grasses during arid and hot conditions Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Mowing Need: Prune the foliage during late winter/early spring each year USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-12
Distinguished by light yellow bands across thin, arching leaves, the zebra grass produces silky spikes in late summer or early fall. It is a moderately tall grass, growing up to 4-6 feet and excels in full sun or partial shade. It is a hardy grass variety that can withstand cold temperatures up to -23 °C.
Water Requirement: Twice or thrice every week during the initial growing season Sunlight Requirement: Tolerates full sun and partial shade Mowing Need: Cut out damaged foliage as they occur and prune the inflorescences in fall/spring USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
The oriental fountain grass, forming rounded clusters of green blades, grows to a height of roughly 2-3 feet and produces white wheat-like flowers. It thrives in moist soil and can tolerate temperatures as low as -10 °C. Dividing the grass in early spring is recommended to manage the widening of the root mass.
Water Requirement: Regular watering needed only during drought Sunlight Requirement: Grows well under direct sunlight, tolerates partial shade Mowing Need: Prune old foliage to ground level in late winter USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-10
Grasses like Bermuda, zoysia, and St. Augustine are hardy to the Californian climate, thriving with small amounts of water.
Pampas, zebra, oriental fountain, and maiden grass are some of the best ornamental grasses that can survive in drought conditions
Thus, the grasses listed above are some of the hardiest and most drought-resistant varieties that will help keep your lawn green and lush even during low-rainfall periods. Go ahead and enjoy low-water landscaping.
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