Buffalo Grass vs Other Turf Types: Making the Right Choice

Choosing the right turf type is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your lawn. The grass variety you select will determine your lawn's appearance, maintenance requirements, and performance for years or even decades to come. While buffalo grass is Australia's most popular choice, it's worth understanding how it compares to other common turf types to ensure it's the right fit for your specific situation.

Understanding Warm-Season Grasses

All the turf types commonly used in Australia are warm-season grasses, meaning they grow most actively during spring and summer when soil temperatures exceed 18°C. They become dormant or semi-dormant during winter, potentially losing some colour in cooler regions. This shared characteristic means the choice between them often comes down to specific performance traits rather than fundamental climate suitability.

Buffalo Grass Overview

Buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) has become Australia's best-selling turf variety, particularly since the introduction of improved soft-leaf varieties in the 1990s. Its broad leaves and above-ground stolons create a dense, carpet-like appearance.

Buffalo Strengths

• Superior shade tolerance: Thrives with as little as 3-4 hours of direct sunlight
• Soft texture: Comfortable underfoot, ideal for family lawns
• Low invasion: Spreads by stolons only, easy to contain
• Drought tolerance: Excellent once established
• Self-repairing: Recovers well from wear and damage

Buffalo Weaknesses

• Herbicide sensitivity: Many common herbicides damage buffalo grass
• Winter colour: May yellow in cooler regions during dormancy
• Thatch tendency: Can develop thatch if over-fertilised
• Cost: Generally more expensive than couch or kikuyu

Couch Grass Comparison

Couch grass (Cynodon dactylon) is widely used for sports fields and budget-conscious homeowners. Its fine texture and aggressive growth create a dense, manicured appearance.

Couch Strengths

• Fine texture: Creates a premium, golf-course appearance
• Fast recovery: Excellent wear tolerance for sports applications
• Lower cost: Generally cheaper than buffalo
• Heat tolerance: Thrives in hot conditions

Couch Weaknesses

• Poor shade tolerance: Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
• Invasive growth: Spreads aggressively into garden beds via underground rhizomes
• Higher maintenance: Requires frequent mowing during peak growth
• Winter dormancy: Often goes completely brown in cooler areas

Kikuyu Grass Comparison

Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) is one of the most vigorous grass types available. Its rapid growth and exceptional hardiness make it popular for large areas and commercial applications.

Kikuyu Strengths

• Extreme vigour: Fastest growing lawn grass available
• Exceptional recovery: Repairs damage faster than any other turf
• Drought tolerance: Excellent once established
• Low cost: Generally the cheapest turf option
• Wear resistance: Handles heavy traffic exceptionally well

Kikuyu Weaknesses

• Very invasive: Spreads aggressively via stolons and rhizomes into all adjacent areas
• High maintenance: Rapid growth requires mowing every 3-5 days in summer
• Coarse texture: Not as soft or attractive as buffalo
• Poor shade tolerance: Requires full sun to perform well
• Thatch problems: Rapidly develops excessive thatch layer

Zoysia Grass Comparison

Zoysia (Zoysia japonica and related species) is gaining popularity as a premium, low-maintenance option. Its fine texture and slow growth appeal to homeowners seeking quality with minimal effort.

Zoysia Strengths

• Slow growth: Requires significantly less mowing than other types
• Fine texture: Creates a premium, dense appearance
• Low water use: Very drought tolerant once established
• Dense growth: Naturally crowds out most weeds
• Moderate shade: Better shade tolerance than couch or kikuyu

Zoysia Weaknesses

• Slow establishment: Takes 6-12 months to fully establish and fill in
• Slow recovery: Damage takes longer to repair than faster-growing types
• Winter colour: May brown more noticeably than buffalo in cold regions
• Higher cost: Premium varieties are among the most expensive
• Less shade tolerant than buffalo: While better than couch, not as good as buffalo

Decision Framework

Use this framework to guide your decision based on your specific circumstances.

Choose Buffalo If:

• Your lawn receives less than 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• You want a soft-textured lawn for family activities
• Garden beds are adjacent to lawn areas
• You prefer moderate maintenance requirements
• You value aesthetic appearance over absolute minimum cost

Choose Couch If:

• Your lawn receives full sun (6+ hours daily)
• You want a fine, manicured appearance
• Sports or heavy wear is the primary use
• Budget is a primary concern
• You can manage higher mowing frequency

Choose Kikuyu If:

• You have a large area to cover economically
• Invasiveness isn't a concern (rural property, no garden beds)
• Extreme durability is required
• You can commit to frequent mowing
• Full sun is available

Choose Zoysia If:

• Low maintenance is your highest priority
• You prefer minimal mowing
• You're patient with slow establishment
• You want a premium appearance with fine texture
• Moderate shade is present (but not heavy shade)

Regional Considerations

Tropical Queensland and Northern Territory

All four grass types perform well. Buffalo's shade tolerance is particularly valuable given tree coverage in many tropical gardens. Kikuyu grows extremely fast and may require very frequent mowing.

Subtropical (Brisbane, Northern NSW)

Buffalo is the dominant choice due to its versatility. Couch and kikuyu are common on sports fields. Zoysia is gaining popularity for low-maintenance lawns.

Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth)

Buffalo is most popular due to shade tolerance in established suburbs. Winter colour loss varies by variety - choose improved cultivars for better winter performance.

Cooler Regions

Buffalo maintains better winter colour than couch or kikuyu in mild-winter areas. In very cold regions with regular frosts, consider cool-season grass alternatives.

Mixed Plantings

Some homeowners use different grass types in different areas based on conditions. While this can work, be aware:

• Kikuyu will likely invade buffalo areas if adjacent
• Different grass types have different management needs
• Visual appearance will differ between areas
• Some herbicides safe for one type may damage another

Making Your Final Decision

Take time to assess your specific conditions before purchasing turf. Consider visiting local turf farms to see varieties growing in person. Ask neighbours with established lawns about their experiences with different grass types in your local conditions.

Remember that a well-maintained lawn of any appropriate variety will outperform a poorly maintained lawn of the "perfect" variety. Choose based on realistic assessment of your conditions and the maintenance effort you're willing to commit, and you'll be rewarded with a beautiful lawn regardless of which variety you select.