Grass Types

Choosing the right grass is crucial for a healthy Australian lawn, with most options falling into the warm-season category due to the climate. The most popular choices are Buffalo, Couch, and Kikuyu.

Buffalo grass

Especially soft-leaf varieties like Sir Walter, is a fantastic all-rounder known for its good shade tolerance and soft feel, making it ideal for family backyards.

Couch grass

Is a sun-worshipper, thriving in full sun and offering excellent drought resistance, though it can be invasive.

Kikuyu

Is a fast-growing, vibrant green grass that repairs itself quickly, but its aggressive nature requires frequent mowing to keep it in check

Planning

When selecting a lawn, consider your garden’s specific conditions. For a yard with significant tree cover, Buffalo is often the best choice. If you have an open area that gets baked by the sun, the fine-bladed Couch will perform beautifully and conserve water. For a premium, low-maintenance option that is slow-growing and feels soft underfoot, Zoysia grass is an increasingly popular alternative, offering a good balance of sun and shade tolerance.

While warm-season grasses are dominant, cool-season grasses like Fescue and Ryegrass have their place, particularly in Australia’s cooler southern states like Victoria and Tasmania. These grasses stay green throughout the winter when warm-season varieties can go dormant and lose some colour. Ryegrass is also commonly used to overseed dormant Couch or Kikuyu lawns to provide a temporary green carpet during the colder months. Ultimately, a beautiful lawn comes from matching the right grass type to your local climate and garden conditions.