Best Grass Types for Central Florida Lawns

Choosing the Right Grass for Your Central Florida Lawn

Central Florida's unique climate—hot, humid summers and mild winters—requires grass varieties that can thrive in these conditions. At Proverbs Landscape, we've helped hundreds of homeowners in Saint Cloud, Orlando, Kissimmee, and Lake Nona select and maintain the perfect lawn. Here's our comprehensive guide to Florida grass types.

St. Augustine Grass: The Florida Favorite

St. Augustine is by far the most popular grass in Central Florida, and for good reason. This broad-bladed grass creates a lush, carpet-like lawn that handles our climate exceptionally well.

Pros of St. Augustine:

• Shade tolerant: Grows well under trees where other grasses struggle
• Salt tolerant: Great for coastal areas
• Thick growth: Naturally chokes out many weeds
• Beautiful appearance: Creates that classic Florida lawn look

Cons of St. Augustine:

• High water needs: Requires regular irrigation during dry periods
• Chinch bug susceptible: This pest loves St. Augustine grass
• Doesn't handle heavy traffic: Not ideal for yards with lots of activity

Best St. Augustine Varieties for Central Florida:

• Floratam: Most common, good disease resistance
• Palmetto: Better shade tolerance, softer texture
• CitraBlue: Newer variety with improved color and drought tolerance
• Seville: Excellent for shadier lawns

Our recommendation: If your lawn gets at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily, St. Augustine is likely your best choice for a beautiful Central Florida lawn.

Bahia Grass: The Low-Maintenance Option

Bahia grass is perfect for homeowners who want a lawn that practically takes care of itself. Originally used for pastures, this hardy grass has become popular for residential lawns.

Pros of Bahia:

• Drought tolerant: Deep roots find water others can't reach
• Low fertilizer needs: Grows well in poor soils
• Pest resistant: Few insects bother Bahia
• Affordable: Lower maintenance costs over time

Cons of Bahia:

• Coarse texture: Not as soft or visually appealing
• Seed heads: Produces tall seed stalks that require frequent mowing
• Patchy in shade: Needs full sun to thrive

Best For:

Large properties, budget-conscious homeowners, or anyone who wants minimal lawn maintenance.

Zoysia Grass: The Premium Choice

Zoysia offers the best of both worlds—beautiful appearance with improved drought tolerance. It's gaining popularity in upscale Central Florida neighborhoods.

Pros of Zoysia:

• Dense, carpet-like texture: Excellent appearance
• Moderate shade tolerance: Better than Bahia
• Drought tolerant: Once established, handles dry periods well
• Traffic resistant: Great for families with kids and pets

Cons of Zoysia:

• Slow to establish: Takes 1-2 years to fully fill in
• Goes dormant in winter: Turns brown after first frost
• Higher cost: Sod and installation are more expensive

Best Zoysia Varieties:

• Empire: Most popular in Florida, good shade tolerance
• Geo: Improved cold tolerance
• Zeon: Fine texture, excellent for high-visibility areas

Bermuda Grass: The Sports Turf

Bermuda grass is what you see on golf courses and sports fields. It creates a fine-textured, deep green lawn but requires significant maintenance.

Pros of Bermuda:

• Extremely durable: Handles heavy traffic
• Fast growing: Recovers quickly from damage
• Drought tolerant: Deep root system
• Fine texture: Golf course-quality appearance

Cons of Bermuda:

• High maintenance: Requires frequent mowing
• Invasive: Spreads into flower beds and neighbors' yards
• No shade tolerance: Dies in shaded areas
• Winter dormancy: Goes completely brown in winter

Best For:

Full-sun lawns where you want a manicured, athletic field appearance and don't mind the extra maintenance.

Making Your Decision: Quick Comparison

What We Recommend for Central Florida Homeowners

After years of maintaining lawns throughout Saint Cloud, Lake Nona, Kissimmee, Orlando, and Apopka, here's our general recommendation:

For most homeowners: Start with St. Augustine (Floratam or Palmetto). It handles our climate well, looks great, and with proper care, will give you a lawn you'll be proud of.

For large properties or budget-conscious homeowners: Consider Bahia. You'll save on water, fertilizer, and maintenance costs.

For those wanting a premium lawn: Zoysia (Empire) offers excellent aesthetics with better drought tolerance than St. Augustine.

Need Help Choosing?

Not sure which grass is right for your specific property? We're happy to visit your home, assess your soil, sun exposure, and lifestyle needs, and recommend the perfect grass type for your situation.

Contact Proverbs Landscape today for a free consultation!

Call us at (904) 749-9658 or request a free estimate.