Buffalo Grass vs. St. Augustine: What's the Difference?

Buffalo Grass vs. St. Augustine: What's the Difference?

Welcome to Sod and Seed, Inc. where today we will be going over two popular types of sod grass, Buffalo Grass vs. St. Augustine, what's the difference? Before we jump into the difference between these two types of grass, one thing Buffalo grass and St. Augustine grass have in common is that they are two of the most popular sod blends. St. Augustine sod and Buffalo grass offer an array of benefits to lawn owners. Lets learn more about them!

Buffalo Grass vs. St. Augustine Grass

Buffalo grass and St. Augustine grass are both types of warm-season grasses, meaning that they are well-suited to areas with hot, humid climates. However, there are some key differences between these two grasses:

Buffalo Grass and St. Augustine Grass Appearance

Buffalo grass generally has a relatively brighter green color with wide blades. Similarly, St. Augustine grass also has relatively wide, hearty blades. However, St. Augustine grass usually has a deeper, darker green color compared to St. Augustine. 

Buffalo Grass and St. Augustine Grass Growth Habits

Buffalo grass and St. Augustine have stems above the soil surface, also referred to as stolons, as well as rhizomes growing under the surface. Having both stolons above ground and rhizomes beneath ground help Buffalo grass and St. Augustine repair from damage naturally.

Buffalo grass has sterile seed, so the chances of Buffalo grass from seed are extremely minimal. Therefore, Buffalo grass should be installed in sod roll form or Buffalo grass plug form. Similarly, St. Augustine does not seed, so St. Augustine grass has to be installed via St. Augustine sod rolls, St. Augustine grass plugs or St. Augustine sprigs. 

St. Augustine grass has a thick rooting system and the grass blades can grow relatively taller. For example, if St. Augustine grass is mowed as low as most Bermuda grass lawns, it will die. Also, water the St. Augustine grass the night before mowing so it is healthy and perked up the following day for mowing. If you St. Augustine grass is stressed when mowed, it will lay over itself due to the height, and this will cause uneven mowing. St. Augustine grass should be mowed at the highest setting. 

Buffalo Grass and St. Augustine Grass Adaptability

Buffalo grass is well-suited to grow in a variety of soil types and can thrive in a range of climates, including hot and dry regions. Buffalo grass is also adaptable to coastal regions as it has good tolerance to salinity. Buffalo grass is also relatively resistant to pests and diseases, especially weeds. One of the most noted adaptability traits of Buffalo grass is high shade tolerance.

St. Augustine grass adapts to drought conditions, making it a great drought tolerant lawn option. Like Buffalo grass, St. Augustine grass has excellent shade tolerance as well as adaptability to dry, hot conditions. 

Buffalo Grass vs. St. Augustine Differences

Overall, the choice between Buffalo grass and St. Augustine grass will depend on the specific climate, soil conditions, immediate conditions, and desired outcomes (i.e. drought tolerance, low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing, etc.). We hope you have found this information helpful and useful! Please feel free to call us with any further questions at 1-800-831-8163. We hope to hear from you soon!