Did you know that around half of Texas is considered in drought at present or that over 138 counties are designated USDA Drought Disaster areas?
Some major cities like Austin and San Antonio suffer regular droughts but others like Houston and Dallas often escape the driest conditions in the state—but water restrictions in any major city in Texas can affect homeowners, especially those with grass lawns.
In fact, the hot summers, low rainfall, and frequent drought conditions that affect much of the state make growing healthy grass lawns a constant challenge.
So, what’s the best drought-resistant grass for Texas? What type of grass stands up best to arid conditions?
You have a few options, which are outlined in detail below…
Drought-Resistant Grass in Texas
The most drought-resistant grass in Texas is artificial grass, which requires no irrigation. If you’re looking for a real grass lawn that stands up well to drought conditions, consider Buffalo Grass, Bermuda Grass, Zoysia or Tall Fescue. Avoid grasses like St. Augustine or Kentucky Bluegrass.
Switch to Grass That Needs No Water…
Looking for grass that needs no water at all?
Artificial turf is the most drought-friendly type of grass because even if it doesn’t see a drop of water, it still looks green and pristine all year round.
Other than removing debris and giving it an occasional brush, synthetic grass needs no maintenance and can beautify outdoor spaces for up to two decades.
Versatile and well-suited to the Texas climate, the upfront costs of artificial grass are paid back after a few years with almost zero maintenance costs (no water, fertilizer, pesticides, garden machinery, etc.).
Find out more about the pros and cons of artificial grass.
SAVE TIME, MONEY & WATER WITH ARTIFICIAL GRASS
The experienced team at Artificial Grass Pros will provide a free estimate and help you make the switch. Contact us here.
Why Are Some Grasses More Drought-Resistant Than Others?
Drought-resistant grass can withstand the stresses of prolonged dry spells without sustaining lasting damage. They achieve this in several ways:
When choosing a drought-resistant grass, you will likely need to balance the water-saving properties of the grass with other factors, such as:
Best Grass for Texas Drought: Buffalo Grass
Buffalo Grass is the leading choice for homeowners in Texas looking for drought-resistant, disease-resistant, low-maintenance lawn grass.
It is a native, warm-season grass with a soft texture that thrives in the hot, dry climate of most of Texas. It requires minimal water and is slow-growing, meaning less mowing than other warm-season grasses.
The main downside of Buffalo Grass is that it will suffer under heavy foot traffic. Some homeowners also prefer the appearance of other lawn grasses with thicker, lusher growth.
Moderately Drought-Resistant Grasses in Texas
The following grass types should also work for a Texan lawn if you’re prepared to put a little more work in.
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda Grass is one of the most popular grass choices all over Texas—for homes as well as on sports fields and golf courses—because of its beautiful lush appearance and its strength under heavy foot traffic.
Bermuda Grass is easy to plant, loves the sun, grows quickly, and resists pests. It’s one of the best grass types for Texas heat and is extremely durable, making it a good choice for sunny lawns. Bermuda goes dormant (brown) during prolonged drought but, with its deep root system, recovers quickly when watered.
The main downside of Bermuda Grass is its higher maintenance requirements: regular watering is required during drier months as well as mowing to maintain its appearance. Poor shade tolerance makes it suitable only for sunny lawns.
Zoysia Grass
Zoysia is another moderately drought-resistant grass for Texas backyards. It recovers well from drought but may go dormant in extreme conditions.
This grass type has the added advantage that many varieties are also shade-resistant so it may be a good choice for backyards that have problems with both water and sunlight.
Zoysia’s versatility, fine appearance, and performance in the heat come with lower maintenance requirements than Bermuda Grass. It is slow-growing but does require deep, infrequent watering. Generally, it’s a good option for homeowners whose idea of fun is NOT spending two hours tending their lawns every weekend!
The main downside of Zoysia is that it comes at a higher cost per pallet than most other grasses mentioned here. It may also be challenging to establish compared with other options. Zoysia is relatively slow to recover if it gets damaged by foot traffic, too.
Tall Fescue
Tall Fescue may be another good drought-resistant option for North Texas. This cool-season grass has deep roots for water retention, helping it remain green for longer periods of the year and making it one of the best choices for the cooler regions of the state.
An additional benefit of tall fescue is that it can still flourish in semi-shaded areas (where Bermuda or Buffalo Grass may struggle).
Tall Fescue needs more water than warm-season varieties like Bermuda or Buffalo Grass, especially during the hot Texan summers. It can also suffer heat stress in extreme temperatures.
Avoid These Grasses in Drought Areas…
You may see the following types of lawn grass in Texas but they are best avoided if you’re looking for a drought-resistant lawn:
Water-Saving Lawn Solutions
Texas homeowners can do plenty to conserve water as more cities and counties impose water restrictions.
Many excellent landscaping ideas for Texan backyards involve no lawn, such as hardscaping with stone, brickwork or concrete, laying mulch or gravel, xeriscaping, growing native plants, and artificial grass.
However, if you love your lawn and don’t want to replace the natural look and feel of real grass in your yard, try the following tips to save water besides choosing a drought-resistant grass like Buffalo Grass or Bermuda:
Learn How to Water Wisely
Efficient lawn watering can cut down on water waste:
Improve Soil Health
By improving soil health with the following activities, you can reduce the water requirements for your lawn:
Start Mulching and Using Ground Covers
If you apply mulch around trees and plants, this should reduce evaporation and help to keep the soil cool.
Ground covers like creeping thyme, clover or drought-resistant sedges can also be used in low-traffic areas as they require less water than grass.
Reduce Lawn Size With Hardscaping Or Xeriscaping
Hardscaping some areas of the yard with gravel, mulch, permeable pavers, patios or pathways or installing drought-friendly native plants can help you reduce your lawn size and, with it, the water requirements of your “thirsty” grass area.
Capture and Re-Use Rainwater
By installing rain barrels, you can collect rainwater that can be used for irrigating the lawn. The downspouts can be directed down to the lawn and plant beds, reducing the need for sprinklers or manual watering.
Why Artificial Grass is the Best Drought-Resistant Option
By choosing the right grass, watering efficiently, and improving soil health, Texas homeowners can maintain a green lawn while cutting water use.
However, if you want a drought-resistant lawn that requires ZERO water, the best option is synthetic grass.
Some of the benefits of artificial turf for homeowners who want to switch from real grass include:
Like real grass, not all artificial grass is created equal. Premium products made in the U.S. can be confused with cheaper imports that cannot match the appearance or performance of the best varieties.
You’ll need to consider:
The turf experts at Artificial Grass Pros can steer you in the right direction to select and install the right synthetic grass to make your backyard landscaping ideas come to life.
FAQs
Considering the Switch to a Grass Alternative?
If you’re considering different backyard landscaping ideas for your home, discuss your options with an artificial grass professional.
