Are you unsure about choosing between Kentucky Bluegrass and Buffalo Grass? You must know the various aspects of these popular turf grasses before you can pick one.
Buffalo Grass
Are you living in a region with drought or limited water supply? Then choosing Buffalo Grass will be a wise move. To grow a lawn with this grass, you will need only 8-10 inches of water per growing season. However, Kentucky Bluegrass has a higher water requirement. It may need 15-26 inches of water per growing season. Why do you think this happens? Kentucky Bluegrass has a shallow root system, around 8 inches. On the contrary, Buffalo Grass has roots reaching three feet or more, which aids it in surviving prolonged dry spells.
While Buffalo Grass has a dormant phase for survival, this can also be a drawback. This warm-season grass dons a lifeless look after frost sets in. It will remain like that until late spring. For some users, this is quite unacceptable. It will sustain through drought but you will have to arrange for irrigation to keep it green during the scorching summer days. It fares poorly with heavy foot traffic, unlike Kentucky Bluegrass.
Kentucky Bluegrass
This cool-season grass is popular in the northern United States. It is ideal when you need a lush, dark green lawn with a fine texture. It is quite tough and resilient and tolerates high foot traffic. This is why you will see it being used a lot in sports fields. Its rhizomes help in faster damage recovery.
So what are the downsides of choosing Kentucky Bluegrass? You will have to spend a lot of resources and time on proper maintenance. It needs a consistent water supply to thrive and retain the lush look. It is also vulnerable to diseases like Leaf Spot. Also, this grass has a thatch-forming tendency. It sustains cold rather well but will struggle in long spells of drought. It is not suitable for shaded areas.
Comparing Kentucky Bluegrass Vs Buffalo Grass On Key Parameters
Climate Suitability
Buffalo Grass thrives in areas with hot and humid climates. It will not wither in the face of heat easily. Choose it for USDA zones 5 to 9 (example: Colorado, Nebraska) and you will not regret. On the contrary, Kentucky Bluegrass is ideal for cooler regions, and grows well in Zone 2 through 7 (areas like Minnesota or Michigan).
Water usage
Are you the kind of person who does not have enough time to water their lawn every alternate day? Then, you can go for Buffalo Grass with eyes closed! During the peak summer days, it needs only 1/4 inch of water per week.
Choose Kentucky Bluegrass only when you have an abundant water supply and you have ample time for watering, too. The minimum water requirement is 1 to 2 inches per week. Any shortage of water supply will make it tan-colored.
Maintenance needs
Not everyone has enough time to mow their lawns regularly. If you have a hectic schedule, choosing Buffalo Grass makes sense. It will grow up to 4-6 inches and the growth rate is not fast.
Kentucky Bluegrass grows rather fast and weekly mowing is recommended. If you skip mowing it for 2 weeks, the lawn will start to resemble a jungle! It also needs fertilization thrice a year or so. Buffalo grass requires less fertilization.
Appearance
If you want an aesthetic pleasing lawn, choosing Kentucky Bluegrass will be prudent. The rich green color and fine, carpet-like appearance wins everyone. The rhizome growth pattern contributes to the dense growth.
Buffalo Grass has a softer green hue, and it may turn grayish green during peak summer days. You get more of a natural prairie vibe than a golf course-type look.
Foot traffic tolerance
Do you have playful children and pets at home or have people visiting frequently? Then go for Kentucky Bluegrass as it handles high foot traffic very well. It also recovers without delay.
Buffalo Grass fares poorly in traffic handling and stress recovery. Too much foot traffic will lead to lawn thinning and bare patches will appear.
Shade tolerance
What type of lawn do you have? If there are tall trees casting shadows, do not go for Buffalo Grass. It will need over 6 hours of direct sunlight to grow well. Shade is its biggest enemy.
Kentucky Bluegrass fares well in areas with partial shade. It also needs sun but the requirement for direct sunlight is 3-4 hours. Choose it for lawns with trees or fencing.
Weed and disease resistance
Not all turf grasses fare the same in weed and pest resistance. Buffalo Grass literally chokes out weeds. It eliminates weeds without your intervention and that can be bliss. Its dense mat-like growth pattern will keep crabgrass and clover at bay.
Kentucky Bluegrass is not a great performer in this department. Without careful monitoring for weeds and pests, it will be in jeopardy. You have to be careful about applying fertilizers in time, and offer spot treatments for the desired appearance.
Last modified: July 1, 2025
