Buffalo grass is one of the few lawn grasses native to North America’s Great Plains, and it can get by on far less water than most turf. That makes it appealing for low-input lawns, but it recovers slowly from wear, so it rarely holds up on play areas or sports fields. Where a space needs to be green, low-water and heavily used, many owners turn to an artificial turf installation company instead.
What is buffalo grass?
Buffalograss is a short, sod-forming prairie grass that historically covered much of the shortgrass prairie from Montana to Texas and into northern Mexico. Its gray-green, fine leaves usually stay under 8 inches tall even unmowed. It spreads by above-ground runners (stolons) and has a deep root system, which is the key to its drought tolerance.
Note that “buffalo grass” in Australia usually refers to a different plant, a broad-leaf type of St. Augustinegrass. This page covers the North American native.
Buffalo grass lawn: strengths and limits
| Trait | How buffalograss performs |
|---|---|
| Water needs | Low once established; survives drought by going dormant |
| Heat tolerance | High |
| Cold tolerance | Good for a warm-season grass; grown well into the transition zone and the central Plains |
| Shade tolerance | Poor; needs full sun |
| Mowing | Infrequent; often mowed high or left natural |
| Fertility | Low; excess nitrogen and water invite weeds and competing grasses |
| Wear tolerance and recovery | Moderate tolerance, slow recovery |
| Soil | Prefers heavier clay and loam; does poorly on sandy soils |
A buffalo grass lawn makes the most sense in sunny, dry areas with low foot traffic: front yards, roadside strips, parks’ outer edges and naturalized areas. It is a poor fit for shaded yards, humid Southeastern climates where it competes poorly, and anywhere kids or dogs run daily.
UC Verde buffalo grass and other varieties
Breeders have released improved varieties with denser growth and better color than wild buffalograss. UC Verde, developed at the University of California, was selected for California and Southwestern conditions and is usually planted from plugs. Other varieties, such as Legacy, Prestige and Bowie, have been developed for different regions, and some seeded types are available as well. A local extension office is the best source for which cultivars perform in your area.
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Buffalo grass dormant periods
Buffalograss turns tan after the first hard frosts and stays that way until warm weather returns, which can be several months in northern areas. It also goes dormant during long dry spells, then greens up after rain or irrigation. Dormancy is a survival strategy, not death, but it means a buffalo grass lawn will not look green year-round. Some homeowners overseed cool-season grasses for winter color, though that is less common with buffalograss than with bermuda. Our guide to lawn overseeding covers how overseeding works in general.
Bermuda vs buffalo grass
Buffalo grass
- Lower water and fertility needs
- Slow growth, infrequent mowing
- Slow recovery from wear
- Best on lightly used, sunny areas
Bermudagrass
- Aggressive spreader with fast recovery
- Tolerates heavy traffic; common on sports fields
- Needs more water, fertility and mowing
- Also poor in shade
For athletic use, bermuda is the stronger warm-season choice, and in cool climates fields often rely on perennial ryegrass for quick establishment and repair. Buffalograss simply is not built for cleats.
When a low-water play area needs another surface
If the goal is a space that stays green with little water and still handles running, games and pets every day, no natural grass truly delivers all three. Synthetic turf on a well-built, draining base does. If that is what your yard or field needs, talk with experienced turf installers about a system matched to your climate and use.
Buffalo grass FAQ
Does buffalo grass stay green all year?
No. Buffalo grass goes dormant and turns tan in winter and during extended drought, then greens up when warmth and moisture return.
Is UC Verde buffalo grass good for dogs?
It handles light pet traffic, but repeated running paths and urine spots recover slowly. Heavy dog use is better served by a tougher surface.
Which is better, bermuda vs buffalo grass?
Bermuda for high traffic and fast recovery; buffalograss for low water and low maintenance on lightly used, sunny areas.
Does buffalo grass grow in shade?
Poorly. It needs full sun and thins out quickly under trees or on the shaded side of buildings.
The complete turf installation guide
What a quality install looks like, the eight installation steps, spec sheets, and how to choose an installer.