Whether tall trees or a towering structure deprives your yard of sunlight, you need a workaround for a shaded garden if you hope to keep a grass lawn looking healthy.
So, what’s the best grass for shade in Texas?
Most people know that lawn grasses need plenty of sunlight and water to grow—and are aware of potential water shortages in Texas. But it’s easy to forget that some homes receive little sunshine—despite the state being blessed with plenty of it.
Growing grass in the shade in Texas is a battle you can win with the right grass and a few tips. Here’s what you need to know about shade-tolerant grasses in Texas and what your options are for yards that are NOT drowning in our glorious sunlight…
What’s Good Grass for Shade in Texas?
If you’re seeking shade-tolerant grass in Texas, the best types of sod are several different types of St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses. No lawn grasses will survive long without any sunlight but these types tend to fare the best with a few hours of sunlight per day—rather than the standard 5-8 hours.
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Why Does Grass Need Sunlight?
Grass requires sunlight for the process of photosynthesis, which provides energy and nutrients, helping the grass grow and assisting blade strength and healthy root systems.
During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide combines with water and solar energy and is converted into carbohydrates.
When grass grows under trees or in the shade of tall buildings, it may completely block sunlight and deprive turf of what it needs to grow. Thin or bare spots are likely and grass discoloration may result.
So, are there grasses that can still grow in this situation?
Most grasses require 5-6 hours of sunlight per day to photosynthesize adequately and grow healthily. Direct, full sunlight is best for most grass types but sunlight filtered through clouds or dappled sunlight might be enough for some types of shade-tolerant grass.
Let’s look at a few grass types that can survive and flourish with 3-5 hours of sunlight per day (even through clouds) so that you know what to use on your lawn if you’re re-sodding or re-seeding…
What is a Shade-Tolerant Grass?
If you’re researching your options for grass that grows in shade in Texas, you’ll run into a few terms that need explaining.
- “Full sun” areas get eight or more hours of direct sun each day and many grasses prefer these conditions.
- Medium or “moderate” shade areas receive four to six hours of direct daily sun and only those grasses with moderate or good “shade tolerance” will suit these conditions.
- Filtered sunlight (“medium” sunlight) is sunlight that’s been diffused through clouds.
Strong sunlight will penetrate clouds to provide filtered sunlight, which can be enough for some more shade-tolerant grasses—and dappled sunlight is the type of sunlight that shines through trees and produces a mottled effect on the lawn.
Bear in mind that cloud cover reduces the amount of solar radiation by reflecting it into outer space—but how much sunlight reaches the grass depends on how thick the cloud cover is.
Shade-Tolerant Grasses in Texas: A Closer Look
Two of the best types of grass that grow in shade in Texas are Zoysia and St. Augustine. These types of grass have different sub-types that also vary in their tolerance to shade, drought, cold, soil conditions, etc.
Zoysia grasses
Zoysia is one of the finest-looking coarse-textured lawn grasses. It tolerates heat, cold, moderate shade, and salty conditions, making it ideal for most of Texas.
It is a warm-season grass that produces a lush green carpet and, unsurprisingly, it is one of the most common turf grasses used around the state.
Zoysia generally grows more slowly than St Augustine, which means less frequent mowing (lower maintenance). It also requires little fertilizer and is highly pest-resistant—but you may pay a little more for it.
Three common types of Zoysia that are good for shade in Texas are Zeon, Palisades, and Emerald.
Zeon
Zeon is one of the most popular grasses that grow in shade in Texas because it requires the least amount of sunshine (3-4 hours) and also tolerates drought quite well, countering one of the other major risks for Texan lawns.
Palisades
Palisades tolerates both shade and drought well while also looking the part, making it another popular choice for Texan homeowners. This grass requires at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day to flourish.
Emerald or Cavalier
Emerald and Cavalier Zoysia require at least 4-5 hours of sunlight per day to flourish into a healthy-looking lawn, making both options popular choices in Texas.
Any downsides of Zoysia grasses?
Zoysia grasses are relatively challenging to establish and maintain compared with some other options, sometimes requiring one to three seasons to flourish. Also, if the grass gets damaged by high foot traffic, it can take some time to recover.
St. Augustine grasses
If you have a particularly shady yard, the other main option in Texas is St. Augustine grass, which is generally slightly cheaper than Zoysia. Again, there are several popular types of this shade-tolerant grass used in yards and it is considered a traditional Texan turfgrass.
St. Augustine is a warm-season grass that is only available in sod form (seeds are not commercially available). It provides a dense covering of wide-bladed and course-textured grass and a deep green color.
If looked after with enough irrigation in the summer, St. Augustine flourishes into a fine lawn. It is also well-adapted to a variety of different soil types found throughout Texas and grows quickly under normal hot, humid, subtropical conditions found across much of the state.
As well as handling shade, St. Augustine varieties can tolerate drought and summer heat quite well.
Raleigh
Raleigh is one of the most popular St. Augustine grasses, requiring at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day to flourish (clouded or dappled sunlight is fine).
Palmetto
Palmetto has a denser root system than Raleigh, providing slightly more shade tolerance and making it a standout option for shady landscapes in Texas. It is slightly more expensive than Raleigh grass but only requires 4-5 hours of sunlight per day.
Any downsides of St. Augustine grasses?
St. Augustine does require maintenance, with fertilizing and regular irrigation/mowing to flourish in most parts of Texas. It can also be susceptible to fungal and pest problems (especially chinch bugs).
St. Augustine grass is quite hardy but may be damaged with excessive foot traffic, like most grasses.
Is Bermuda Grass a Good Option for Shaded Yards?
Bermuda grasses are hardy, warm-season grasses with a lush and soft feel. They are among the most popular choices for lawns and sports fields all around the U.S., including in many parts of Texas. They fare quite well in drought with some irrigation required.
However, Bermuda grass is not considered shade-tolerant and requires around three-quarters of a day’s sunlight or full sun to flourish. It struggles in the shade.
If you must use Bermuda grass, TifTuf is probably the best variety for partial shade in Texas—but it’s advisable to consider other options.
Bermuda grass is highly resistant to pests and disease and can be planted from sod, plugs or seed in the late spring or early summer in Texas—but if you install this grass, be prepared for considerable maintenance with regular watering, fertilizing, and mowing more than once per week. If your yard is heavily shaded most of the day, choose another option.
Seeding Options for Shaded Texas Yards
Because St. Augustine seeds are not commercially available, your best bet for seeding a lawn in a shaded yard in Texas is Zoysia grass or a mix of Zoysia with other grasses.
However, for shaded areas, because of the difficulties in helping lawns thrive with limited sunlight, sod options may be safer for most homeowners who are not lawn experts. Sod overseeded with shade-tolerant grasses can also work well.
Overseeding once or twice a year (especially in late spring or early summer) can help thicken up thin-growing lawns in shaded areas too—don’t forget to water after overseeding.
Tips for Growing Grass in the Shade in Texas
Growing grass in the shade with only limited sunlight is challenging—even with the right grass. Beyond selecting the right shade-tolerant grass, the following are a few tips to make your yard a lawn success story rather than a disaster zone…
1. Keep trees and foliage well-pruned
Oak trees and elms have dense canopies that create tough growing conditions for a grass lawn beneath. Prune tree limbs regularly to thin the tree coverage out and allow for more dappled sunlight to reach your lawn.
Before planting or removing any trees, consult with an arborist for advice on how it will affect the amount of sunlight your yard receives (and remember that removing a tree might require HOA approval).
2. Aerate and water your grass more frequently
Shaded areas need more aeration and watering than areas that receive full sunlight. Leaves and branches block rainfall as well as sunshine. Don’t add to the shade problem by creating a drought, drainage or nutrient problem too. By aerating the lawn once a month and regularly watering, you will increase the permeation of water, air, and nutrients and aid drainage to help your lawn grow healthily.
3. Mow the grass taller in shaded areas
To maximize the amount of sunlight absorbed by the grass, don’t cut it too short when you mow and remove the grass clippings. Extra leaf surface means more surface area to absorb sunlight. Allow for an extra half to one inch of grass height and alternate mowing directions each time. You don’t want a putting green-style lawn.
4. Minimize foot traffic in shaded areas
Shaded areas often suffer from wear and tear and are slow to recover—the grass is not as strong as in areas that receive adequate sunlight. This makes it susceptible to stress. Shaded lawns usually grow less thick than lawns in full sunlight, so they start at a disadvantage. Try building a pathway across shaded areas of the lawn to keep the foot pressure off.
Alternatives to Grass in Texas
When the New England Patriots had trouble growing real grass because the height of the Gillette Stadium created almost permanent shaded conditions, what did they do? They switched to artificial grass.
The Texas NFL teams also play on artificial grass and many college stadiums here choose turf as a playing surface, such as the UT Stadium.
But what about backyards?
If you have a heavily shaded backyard, a grass lawn may not be the best idea. Fortunately, there are plenty of grass alternatives in Texas.
If you still want a verdant, eye-catching space rather than concrete, rocks, mulch or gravel, artificial grass landscaping is the best option. This can be combined with mulch, gravel or pavers for a stunning backyard landscape that looks just like the real thing—like this:
With artificial grass lawns in Texas, you don’t need to worry about sunlight, shade, water, fertilizing, aerating, weeding or mowing. That not only saves a lot of work but it also saves money every month.
The cost of artificial grass installations is higher than natural grass but your lawn will pay back the investment every month with virtually zero maintenance costs.
There are pros and cons of artificial grass but here’s a summary of the benefits of artificial grass over real grass for shaded areas:
- Artificial grass is ultra-low maintenance and frees up time for homeowners
- The initial investment pays for itself within 5-6 years, adding up to significant cost savings over time
- Artificial grass incurs virtually zero “lawncare” costs
- Synthetic turf is naturally drought- and shade-tolerant
- Artificial turf is also pet-friendly and children-friendly
- The best brands offer realistic artificial turf closely resembling the real thing
- Excellent drainage is provided if the right turf is properly installed
FAQs
Considering Switching to a Grass Alternative?
If you’re considering different backyard landscaping ideas for your home, discuss your options with an artificial grass professional.
