One of the most demanding elements of our landscapes is the lawn, especially when it comes to watering. By using drought-tolerant grass in your lawn, you can dial back the watering requirements, which is an especially important goal in dry regions.
Most drought-tolerant grasses don’t form a lush carpet year-round; several inches of water per week are needed for that. These turf grasses tolerate drought by growing slowly during dry conditions or going dormant for a while. They green up and begin growing again when moisture returns. Whether you are putting in a new lawn or renovating your existing turf, these 9 types of drought-tolerant grass will weather the next dry spell with ease.
Rethinking Dormancy
Most of the grasses in this list go dormant for weeks at a time during drought. Dormant turf grass—brown grass with a dry, brittle texture—is often seen as a landscape problem. While a dormant lawn isn’t as inviting as a lush green carpet of grass, dormancy is a natural process for many turf grasses. Many species use dormancy to survive the challenges of drought.
Dormancy is usually temporary, lasting only as long as the dry spell. Generally, grasses that are allowed to go dormant have a stronger root system and are healthier overall because they aren’t reliant on regular irrigation. Fertilization requirements for grasses that go dormant are a fraction of those needed by grasses that are irrigated. Practice seeing dormancy as a helpful coping technique instead of a problem to be solved.
Drought-Tolerant Grasses
Lawn grass is divided into two groups: cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses. If winter brings snow to your landscape, cool-season grasses are best for your lawn. If you live in a region that doesn’t receive snow in the winter, your lawn is prime for warm-season grass.
Kentucky Bluegrass
Dark green leaves, a soft, fine texture, and vigorous growth in the cool weather of spring and fall make Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) a favorite lawn species. Its deep, efficient root system can mine for water and sustain the plant during long periods of drought.
Recent drought events revealed that Kentucky bluegrass can survive with much less water than initially thought. Researchers in Colorado found that this perennial survives for weeks—even months—without supplemental irrigation. Kentucky bluegrass goes dormant when water is scarce, but its roots still thrive. When measurable rain returns, it turns green and begins growing. Look for ‘Thermal Blue’, Midnight’, ‘Bandera’, ‘Brilliant’, and other cultivars with notable drought tolerance.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil. Doesn't tolerate shade.
Mowing Height: 2½ inches during spring and fall, 3½ inches during dry conditions
Zones: 3–9
Creeping Red Fescue
Spreading grass with a delicate, fine leaf, creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra) grows well in shade. It is a popular addition to Kentucky bluegrass seed mixes, thanks to its shade tolerance. Don’t use creeping red fescue in high-traffic areas; it doesn’t stand up to foot traffic well.
Growing Conditions: Sun or shade and well-drained soil
Mowing Height: 2½ to 4 inches
Zones: 2–7
Sheep Fescue
Excellent drought tolerance makes this a sought-after fescue. Like other fescue turf grasses, it has a fine texture and is soft underfoot. Sheep fescue (Festuca ovina) is a powdery blue-green color. It is most often maintained as a no-mow or seldom-mowed lawn. It doesn’t tolerate close mowing well. Trim it in the spring before growth begins and again in late summer if needed. Thanks to its slow-growing ways, it forms graceful tufts of easy-care grass.
Growing Conditions: Sun or shade and well-drained soil
Mowing Height: 2 to 4 inches
Zones: 4–8
Tall Fescue
Considered the most heat-tolerant and drought-tolerant cool-season grass, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) has a coarse texture and medium green color. It doesn’t have the soft feel of Kentucky bluegrass or fine fescue. Tall fescue has an extensive root system that helps it thrive in dry conditions. It remains green longer than Kentucky bluegrass but will go dormant and turn brown after several weeks without water. ‘Bonfire’, ‘Zion’, ‘Avenger III’, and ‘Symphony’ all boast a finer texture than older tall fescue varieties such as ‘Kentucky 31’.
Growing Conditions: Sun or shade and well-drained soil
Mowing Height: 2½ to 3½ inches
Zones: 3–8
Blue Grama
The bright green to blue-gray leaves of blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) turn shades of brown, orange, and red in fall. It grows best during warm months, typically from May through September in many regions. It is consistently dormant and brown from October through April. This drought-tolerant warm-season grass grows in dense clumps 8 to 24 inches tall. Grow it as a low-maintenance lawn, mowing just once a month or as little as twice a year.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and average to dry soil, but no clay
Height: 8 to 24 inches
Zones: 4–7
Buffalograss
Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) is one of the most cold-tolerant of the warm-season grasses. It is commonly grown in the southern areas of the Midwest and regions where cold winters are the norm. It has a fine texture, and creates a thin, open stand of turf with a blue-green color.
Establishing buffalograss by seed is difficult. Starting with plugs is the best way to establish a lawn. Mow it at 4 to 5 inches to create a lawn or monthly for a meadow-like appearance. Buffalograss goes dormant in summer. Cultivars ‘Stampede’ and ‘609’ have good drought tolerance.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained or clay soil, not sandy soil
Mowing Height: 4 to 5 inches
Zones: 3–9
Bermudagrass
Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is fast-growing warm-season turf with a fine texture. Its durability makes it a favorite lawn species in many areas. It quickly recovers from traffic damage and prolonged drought. Without irrigation, Bermudagrass goes dormant during extended dry periods. It greens up quickly with the first significant rainfall. Frequent mowing is necessary for a pleasing appearance when the grass is actively growing. ‘TifTuf’ is a popular drought-tolerant cultivar.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, but no shade, and most well-drained soils
Mowing Height: 2 inches
Zones: 7–11
St. Augustinegrass
Cultivar selection is important when planting St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), with an eye toward drought tolerance. Some cultivars of this thick, carpet-like, warm-season grass are highly water-dependent; they don’t have the resources to weather 30 or more days without water. ‘Floratam’ St. Augustinegrass, on the other hand, has excellent drought tolerance. Expect it to remain partially green for weeks without water. Like all St. Augustinegrass cultivars, it goes dormant and turns brown during cold weather. Establish it from sod, plugs, or stolons. It is quick to fill in when started from plugs or stolons.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil
Mowing Height: 3 inches, 4 inches in summer
Zones: 8-10
Zoysiagrass
A popular grass in temperate and tropical regions, warm-season zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) grows slowly in warm weather. It turns brown and goes dormant with the first frost in fall. It is the most cold-hardy warm-season grass. Its somewhat coarse texture and thick leaves give it a rough feel, but its minimal water needs make it a great lawn grass. Healthy zoysiagrass can survive as long as four weeks without rain.
Start a new lawn from sod or plugs. Count on plugs to take a couple of years to grow together to form a uniform lawn. Zoysiagrass has thick leaves and stems that make mowing a challenge. Get a good cut by sharpening mower blades frequently. Grow ‘El Toro’ and ‘Emerald’ for best drought tolerance.
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil
Mowing Height: 2 to 3 inches
Zones: 6–11
