So, to sum it up, Louisiana's hot and humid charm is a dream-come-true for warm-season grasses. Lay that grass in late spring or early summer, and you'll have a variety of lawn stars that just love what the region's climate and soil are serving up.”
Introduction
Louisiana, folks, is one steamy greenhouse. Sizzling, sticky summers? Check.
Mild winters? Absolutely. This state's all about the warm-season grasses.
These green champions don't just survive in Louisiana's tropical sauna; they thrive, even brushing off the occasional chilly interlude. Want to see your lawn burst into life? The magic happens between late spring and early summer.
That's when the heat's cranked up and the soil's all nice and moist - perfect conditions for your grass to put down some strong roots before the sweltering, thirsty summer sets in. Louisiana's nestled in the Southeast U.S. grass zone, a haven for warm-season grasses adapted to soak up the heat and humidity. We're talking Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, and St. Augustine grass, to name a few.
Which grasses grow best in Louisiana?
In the world of landscaping, not all grasses are created equal. Each thrives in a specific climate zone: cool, warm, or transition.
Louisiana, with its warm season climate, prefers a particular set of grasses that relish the higher temperatures. The following grasses are the easiest to grow and maintain in Louisiana:
While it's possible to grow grasses meant for other regions with proper care, attention and timing, these are the most common grasses in Louisiana for residential lawns.
What is the best time to lay sod in Louisiana?
In a warm-season location, lay sod in late spring or early summer. This timing is ideal as the warmer temperatures and longer days will promote quick root establishment and growth. Avoid laying sod in the cooler months as the grass will likely enter dormancy, slowing down the root establishment process. So, for success, stick to late spring or early summer when it's 75 to 90 degrees out.
As you can see in the image below, you'll notice the most shoot growth (the grass above ground) and root growth during the summer for warm season grasses:
Best Grasses for Shade in Louisiana
Planting sod in the shade in Louisiana? No problem. There are plenty of grasses that will thrive in those moody, dappled areas of your backyard. Just because the sunlight is playing hard to get doesn't mean you need to settle for bare patches or moss.
Let’s kick things off with St. Augustine grass. This crowd favorite doesn’t need much - just about 4 hours of sunlight daily. Known for its broad leaf blades and deep green hue, it’s the go-to choice for shady areas. It handles heat like a champ and doesn't dry out easily.
Next up, we've got Zoysia grass. This is the strong, silent type. Stemming from Asia originally, Zoysia only needs about 3 to 4 hours of sunlight. This slow-grower packs a lawn full of dense, soft carpet-like turf that's perfect for backyard games or barefoot walks. We give Zoysia bonus points for being drought-tolerant.
Last, but not least, there’s the Centipede grass. Don’t worry - no bugs here. This grass type loves the acidic soils typical in Louisiana. Give it just 4 hours of sunlight a day and watch its medium-textured turf shoot up. It's low-maintenance, survives on little water, and has an impressive heat tolerance. An all-around winner.
So, in Louisiana's shade, your grass can still be the envy of your neighbors. All it takes is the right sod choice. Whether it's St. Augustine, Zoysia or Centipede, we've got the bases covered. Now, get out there and create that lush, shady escape you've always dreamt of.
What grasses stay green year-round in Louisiana?
As with anything agriculture related, there is some nuance to this question. There are many grasses that can stay green year round in but it depends heavily on your location within the state as well as any microclimates that may exist.
The following grasses have the ability to stay green year round in Louisiana:
| Grass Type | Caveats |
|---|---|
| Bermuda | It typically goes dormant and turns brown after a few hard frosts in the fall and stays that way until temperatures consistently hit the 60s in the spring. |
| Zoysia | It can stay green nearly year-round in milder climates without severe winter freezes or overly high summer temperatures. |
| St. Augustine | It can stay green almost year round, but will go dormant and turn brown during cool-season months in colder regions. |
| Bahia | It tends to stay green throughout warm weather but may go dormant and brown in cooler weather or during periods of drought. |
