43 Different Types Of Grass – Choose The Right Lawn For Your Yard

Last Updated on March 10, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford

Grass is a timeless landscaping element. It provides a green mattress that looks so refreshing to the eye.

It is organic but it requires effort for it to be maintained. Of course, there is a need for it to be watered every now and then and other maintenance stuff to keep the green area, well, green. But some grass types are low maintenance.

Thus, in this article, we will explore various grass types which you can consider later on for your own turf.

In this article

#1. Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon)

If you want a dense looking lawn, this is the go-to grass for that. Its deep green, pointed leaves have a fast growing rhizome root system that will cover your lawn and athletic fields well.

It is a warm season grass but is drought, salt and traffic tolerant. It requires frequent watering and needs high nutrients and has to be cut every now and then.

Botanical Name: Cynodon dactylon
Common name: Bermuda grass, star grass, devil’s grass, coast cross, Indian couch
Plant type: Perennial, weed, turf grass
Mature size: 4-12”
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Clay, loam (silt), sand, shallow rocky
Soil pH: Moderately acidic, slightly alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Non-flowering
Flower color: Raceme
Hardiness zones: 7-10
Native Area: East Africa, India

#2. Centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides)

It is also a good turf grass that will make the lawn dense. It is known for its green, notched leaves that grow horizontally.

Like Bermuda, it is a warm season grass which needs frequent watering. But like it too, it could tolerate high traffic and can be cut very short for it to be mowed less frequently.

Botanical Name: Eremochloa ophiuroides
Common name: Centipede grass
Plant type: Perennial, turf grass, stolonic
Mature size: 10”
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Clay, loam (silt), sand, shallow rocky
Soil pH: Moderately acidic
Bloom time: Non-flowering
Flower color: Raceme
Hardiness zones: 7-10
Native Area: Southeast Asia, South America, Africa

Read also: How to grow Centipede grass

#3. St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum)

It is one of the most resilient and pest resistant grass available. It is known as slow growing grass with wide, coarse leaves with rounded tips.

It loves sandy soil but needs to be watered frequently. It can provide a grassy cushion for the lawn and can tolerate high foot traffic too.

Botanical Name: Stenotaphrum secundatum
Common name: St. Augustine grass, carpet grass
Plant type: Perennial, ornamental grass, turf grass
Mature size: 6-12”
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Sand, moist, occasionally dry
Soil pH: Moderately acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Fall, summer
Flower color: Green
Hardiness zones: 8-10
Native Area: Southeastern USA, Central America, Africa

#4. Zoysia grass

It is another warm season grass with stiff and coarse leaves. It is slow growing, requires full sun and turns dormant during the colder seasons.

It will turn green again when the warmer seasons come. It can tolerate infrequent watering.

Botanical Name:
Common name: Zoysia
Plant type: Perennial grass, turf grass
Mature size: 6-12”
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Rocky, clay with good drainage
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
Bloom time: Insignificant
Flower color: Insignificant
Hardiness zones: 5-10
Native Area: Korea

#5. Dichondra – Kidney weed

Technically, it is not a type of grass but because it sprouts and has grass like characteristics during the warm season, it is clustered among grasses.

It is a flowering plant and is actually related to morning glories. But it has creeping stems and deep green leaves that need to be fertilized and trimmed often.

Botanical Name: Dichondra argentea
Common name: Kidney weed, silver nickel vine
Plant type: trailing herbaceous perennial, ground cover
Mature size: 4”
Sun exposure: Dappled sunlight to full sun
Soil type: Loam (silt), sand, good draining
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
Bloom time: Spring
Flower color: Yellow, white, green
Hardiness zones: 10b-12a
Native Area: USA, Mexico

#6. Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana)

This grass type is known to grow in large clumps with white, feather like plumes. It is used as ornamental grass in wide landscape areas.

They are easy to grow, drought tolerant and very low maintenance especially when it has its roots established. This is also the reason why it can be invasive when uncontrolled.

Botanical Name: Cortaderia selloana
Common name: Pampas grass
Plant type: Ornamental grass
Mature size: 8-12 feet
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Sand, loam (silt), well-draining soil
Soil pH: slightly acidic
Bloom time: Spring, summer
Flower color: Cream, gray-silver, tan, pink, white
Hardiness zones: 7-10
Native Area: South America

#7. Monkey grass (Liriope spicata)

It is tolerant to high heat, heavy shade, high foot traffic and deer/rabbit breaching as it is somewhat poisonous to critters.

The downside is that, it could be invasive when uncontrolled. It has dark green leaves in the summer and spring that will turn bronze green during the winter. It is a popular choice as a lawn alternative.

Botanical Name: Liriope spicata
Common name: Monkey grass, creeping liriope, lily grass
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial, ornamental grass, turf grass
Mature size: 9-18”
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Sand, clay, loam (silt), average, well-draining
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Bloom time: Fall, summer
Flower color: white, lavender
Hardiness zones: 4-10
Native Area: Southeast Asia, China, Japan

#8. Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum)

It is generally used as pasture grass but is also good as ground cover.

It is a survivor being able to adapt to various soil types and is tolerant to high sun and shade. Once it has established roots, it will overthrow weeds. It is also very resistant to a lot of pests including critters.

Botanical Name: Paspalum notatum
Common name: Bahiagrass
Plant type: Pasture/forage plant, turf grass, ground cover, ornamental
Mature size: 3 feet
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: sand, rocky, well-draining
Soil pH: slightly acidic, high nitrogen
Bloom time: None
Flower color: None
Hardiness zones: 8-11
Native Area: Central and South America, Midwest USA

#9. Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)

It is a perennial with tuberous roots and it belongs to the lily family and not in the grass cluster. However, it is a good ground cover like grass because it is stemless, meaning that the leaves grow in the ground in clumps.

It will thrive in partial shade and shall bear bell-shaped flowers.

Botanical Name: Ophiopogon japonicus
Common name: Mondo grass, dwarf lilyturf
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial, ground cover
Mature size: 9-12”
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Clay, loam, sand, rich, moist and well-drained
Soil pH: Slightly acidic
Bloom time: Spring
Flower color: White, pink, purple/lavender
Hardiness zones: 6-10
Native Area: China, Korea and Japan

#10. Fine fescue grass (Festuca spp.)

This is an umbrella term for many types of turf grass but generally they are a fast-growing grass with thin, pointed leaves.

It does not grow well under full sun and full shade making it endemic in northern regions, thus, considered as a cold season grass. It is commonly used for lawn mixed seeds along with blue and red ryegrass. It has more than twenty cultivars.

Botanical Name: Festuca spp.
Common name: Fine fescue
Plant type: Turf grass, ornamental grass
Mature size:
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Clay, loam, sand, high-nutrient, moist, well-draining
Soil pH: Moderately acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Spring
Flower color: Gold, yellow
Hardiness zones: 7-10
Native Area: North America, South America, Mexico

#11. Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis)

It is a summer annual, fast-growing turfgrass that could easily become invasive when uncontrolled. It is tough with many stems or legs, hence, the name.

It is short and can evade lawn mowers. It is quite indestructible, making it good for areas with high foot traffic and its deep green, coarse leaves can grow to up to 5”.

Botanical Name: Digitaria sanguinalis
Common name: Crab grass, finger grass
Plant type: Annual, weed, turf grass
Mature size: 3-6”
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Loam (silt), moist
Soil pH: Moderately acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Fall, summer
Flower color: Brown/copper, green
Hardiness zones: 2b-11a
Native Area: Eurasia

Related: How to get rid of crabgrass

#12. Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

It is called as such because of its slender, arching leaves that will bear brown/tan, brush-like, spiky flowers as they go dry.

It grows in clumps and is tolerant to drought and cold. It is also fire-resistant and can recover easily when damaged. It is cultivated as an ornamental grass and is one of the most popular in this category.

Botanical Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides; Cenchrus alopecuroides
Common name: Fountain grass, Hameln
Plant type: Clumping perennial, ornamental grass
Mature size: 3-6 feet
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: good drainage, occasionally wet, occasionally dry
Soil pH: moderately acidic, slightly alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Fall, summer
Flower color: cream/tan, pink, white, purple
Hardiness zones: 5b-9a
Native Area: Africa and South Asia

#13. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis)

It is by far the most popular cool season grass because it is ‘self-repairing’ or quickly overgrows damaged spots.

It is resilient as it can tolerate high foot traffic and lawn mowers. It will grow well with full sun and partial shade but will have growth struggles in full shade. It has distinct deep green, V-shaped leaves.

Botanical Name: Poa pratensis
Common name: KBG, Kentucky bluegrass
Plant type: Dense perennial, turf grass
Mature size: 12-24”
Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil type: well-drained, fertile, slightly coarse
Soil pH: Moderately acidic
Bloom time: Fall, spring
Flower color: Greenish white
Hardiness zones: 3a-7a
Native Area: Europe, North Asia, Algeria and Morocco

#14. Buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides)

It is a short perennial prairie grass used for pasture lands and sod feeder. It is drought and shade tolerant forming a dense, thick turf.

It is also cultivated as lawn/ornamental grass but it could go brown and dormant in the winter which gives homeowners second thoughts.

Botanical Name: Bouteloua dactyloides
Common name: Buffalo grass
Plant type: Perennial, forage grass, ornamental grass
Mature size: 3-12”
Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil type: clay, loam, moist
Soil pH: slightly acidic
Bloom time: Fall, summer
Flower color: Yellow
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Native Area: Canada, USA, Mexico

#15. Pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

It is a popular ornamental grass famous for its pink flowers and white plumes blooming during the winter and fall.

It grows in clumps making it a good addition to native gardens and borders. It is perennial, fast growing and low maintenance.

Botanical Name: Muhlenbergia capillaris
Common name: Sweet grass, mist grass
Plant type: Perennial, ornamental grass, native plant
Mature size: 3 feet
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: sandy, rocky, medium moisture, well-drained
Soil pH: moderately acidic, slightly alkaline
Bloom time: Fall, summer
Flower color: pink, purple, lavender, burgundy
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Native Area: Central USA, Guatemala, the Carribean

#16. Foxtail grass

It is known as a warm season, ornamental grass with arching leaves and grows in clumps. It will have pink plumes in the summer.

It can tolerate full sun with enough moisture and is resistant to common grass feeders like deer.

Botanical Name: Calamagrostis brachytricha
Common name: Foxtail grass, diamond grass, reed grass
Plant type: Arching/clumping perennial, ornamental grass
Mature size: 3-4 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil type: Clay, loam (silt), occasionally wet
Soil pH: slightly acidic
Bloom time: Fall, winter
Flower color: Pink, purple/lavender, cream
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Native Area: Central and Eastern Asia

Related: 16 Weeds That Look Like Grass

#18. Perennial ryegrass

It is also a popular cool season grass because it germinates quicker than its other cool season counterparts.

It does well in both full sun and full shade and is resilient to high foot traffic. It has thin, pointed leaves and is commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass to produce more shade tolerant turf.

Botanical Name: Lolium perenne
Common name: English/Italian ryegrass
Plant type: Turf grass
Mature size: 2-3 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil type: Sand, clay, loam (silt), well-draining
Soil pH: Acidic, alkaline
Bloom time: Insignificant
Flower color: Insignificant
Hardiness zones: 2-8
Native Area: Central Asia, Middle East, North Africa and Southern Europe

#19. Tall fescue grass

Unlike other cool season grass types, this one is good under dry and hot weather conditions.

It has dark green, coarse and thick grass which can tolerate high foot traffic and mowing equipment. It is a beautiful turf grass but grows in clusters occasionally.

Botanical Name: Festuca arundinacea
Common name: Tall fescue grass
Plant type: Perennial, ornamental grass, turf grass
Mature size: 4-12”
Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil type: clay, loam, moist, well-draining
Soil pH: Moderately acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Fall and spring
Flower color: none
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Native Area: Europe

#20. Timothy grass

It is a cool season grass known for being single stemmed and short lived. It is a perennial that grows in clumps and an important pasture grass in Europe and Asia.

It has fibrous roots with brush-like plumes. It is fast growing and can be considered invasive when uncontrolled.

Botanical Name: Phleum pratense
Common name: Timothy grass
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial, forage grass
Mature size: 20-40”
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Sand, loam, tilled, well-draining
Soil pH: Slightly acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Summer, spring
Flower color: Pink, green, white
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Native Area: Europe, Asia and North Africa

#21. Quack grass

It is a perennial grass, often considered as weed because of its persistence, and is endemic in northern temperate areas.

It is cultivated as forage grass and for erosion control but it is also a good turf grass. It has flat, hairy leaves with white, yellow spiky flowers.

Botanical Name: Elymus repens
Common name: Couch grass, quack grass
Plant type: Forage grass, turf grass
Mature size: 12-40”
Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil type: Sand, loam, occasionally wet
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Bloom time: Fall
Flower color: White, green
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Native Area: Europe and Western Asia

#22. Lemon grass

It is a very versatile grass as it can be used as ornamental, turf grass, extracted as essential oil and as herb for cuisines especially in Asia and Mexico.

It has high medicinal values and an organic way to ward off mosquitoes and other insects. As a grass, it grows in clumps and is known for its blade-like leaves and stiff stems.

Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Common name: Oil grass, lemon grass
Plant type: Ornamental grass, herb, medicinal plant
Mature size: 4ft
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Loam, rich, moist, good drainage
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Bloom time: None
Flower color: None
Hardiness zones: 8b-11a
Native Area: India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia

#23. Mexican feather grass

It is a dense growing grass known for its feather-like texture that sways with the wind. It is self-sowing and low maintenance.

It is also drought tolerant and can accomodate high foot traffic. It is used for erosion control and it is best paired with ornamentals and succulents.

Botanical Name: Nassella tenuissima; Stipa tenacissima
Common name: Needle grass, Mexican feather grass
Plant type: Ornamental grass, cascading/clumping perennial
Mature size: 2ft
Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil type: Clay, loam (silt), sand, moist to very dry
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Fall, spring
Flower color: White, silver-gray
Hardiness zones: 5b-10a
Native Area: South/Central USA, Argentina, Mexico

#24. Japanese forest grass

It is known for its clumping growth and exotic habit. Its leaves are variegated with either green or gold color and it has slender, bamboo-looking stalks.

It is not drought tolerant and may require very frequent watering during the dry season. It is a beautiful accent grass for vibrant garden flowers.

Botanical Name: Hakonechloa macra
Common name: Samurai
Plant type: Deciduous, ornamental grass
Mature size: 3ft
Sun exposure: Part shade
Soil type: Loam, humus, moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Slightly acidic, alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Summer
Flower color: Insignificant spikes
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Native Area: Mt. Hakone, Japan

#25. Sweet grass

It is known as a native American herb harvested for its vanilla scent to be used for incense for sacred rituals and as fragrance.

It is a native perennial with rough-edged leaves and hairy undersides. It is a cool season grass but can tolerate heat.

Botanical Name: Hierochloe odorata
Common name: Dune hairgrass, purple muhly, sweet grass
Plant type: Native plant, ornamental grass
Mature size: 3ft
Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil type: Loam, clay, moist, occasionally wet
Soil pH: Slightly acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Fall
Flower color: Pink, purple
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Native Area: Southeastern USA

#26. Zebra grass

It is known for its green and yellow stripes that look like porcupine spikes. It is an upright grass that dies in the winter and comes back straight in the spring even when untrimmed.

It is a striking ornamental grass because it grows flowers that look like plumeria or hibiscus. It is drought and erosion resistant.

Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’
Common name: Porcupine grass, zebra grass
Plant type: Ornamental grass,
Mature size: 5-8 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: All soil types
Soil pH: Acidic, alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Fall
Flower color: Brown, pink, burgundy
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Native Area: Japan, Korea, China

#27. Blue eyed grass

It is a low-growing flowering plant that grows in clumps in marshes, banks and damp regions that is why it is clustered in the grass lineup.

It is known for its blue-violet flowers. It can tolerate almost all weather conditions and is a good accent plant to cottage types and native designs.

Botanical Name: Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Common name: Grass flower
Plant type: Ornamental, perennial native plant, wild flower, ground cover
Mature size: 2ft
Sun exposure: Dappled sunlight to full sun, partial shade
Soil type: loam, sand, moist, occasionally dry, well-draining
Soil pH: Moderately acidic, alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Spring, summer
Flower color: Blue, purple, gold/yellow
Hardiness zones: 4a-9a
Native Area: North America

#28. Karl foerster grass

It is known for its feather-like plumes, low growing requirements and tolerance for compact soils. It is also sought-after because it will not reseed, hence, not that invasive.

It is a beautiful ornamental grass in a wide landscape. It is drought resistant and wards off deer and other critters.

Botanical Name: Calamagrostis arundinacea ‘Karl Foerster’
Common name: Feather reed grass, Karl Foerster
Plant type: Ornamental grass, clumping perennial
Mature size: 3-5 ft
Sun exposure: Full to partial sun
Soil type: Clay, normal, sandy
Soil pH: acidic, alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: year round
Flower color: Cream, gold/yellow, purple
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Native Area: Europe

#29. Orchard grass

It is fast growing, cool season grass that grows in bunches. It is a famous pasture, forage and hay grass in Europe and in the US.

It is good for erosion control with its non-rhizomatous roots. It is considered invasive because it survives in many types of soil. It is disease and erosion resistant and likes to be chewed on by cats and a good livestock feed.

Botanical Name: Dactylis glomerata
Common name: cat grass
Plant type: Perennial weed, pasture/forage grass, wildlife cover
Mature size: 5ft
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: clay, loam
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Fall, summer
Flower color: Gold, yellow
Hardiness zones: 4a-8a
Native Area: Micronesia, Mediterranean, temperate climates in Asia and Europe, Africa

Read also: Straw vs hay

#30. Maiden grass

It is a famous ornamental grass under the Miscanthus family known for its arching, graceful stalks and plumes.

It has deep green foliage in the summer and burgundy in fall. It is a good accent grass for driveways and flower beds. It can tolerate both sun and shade. It repels insects and deer and is essentially disease resistant.

Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’
Common name: Silver grass
Plant type: Ornamental grass
Mature size: 6ft
Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil type: Clay, sand, loam (silt), moist to dry, well-draining
Soil pH: Acidic
Bloom time: Fall
Flower color: Copper, gray, burgundy
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Native Area: Korea, China, Japan

#31. Bear grass

It is a clump-growing, coarse grass with an unbranched stem, rising from a tuber-like root stock.

It is cultivated as ornamental grass and for flower arrangements because of its oblong, white flowers that bloom in the summer and in spring. It is useful in erosion control and land revegetation. It is also widely archived in Native American ritual plants and in wildlife conservation.

Botanical Name: Xerophyllum tenax
Common name: Indian basket grass, elk grass, fire lily
Plant type: Ornamental, native, perennial
Mature size: 5ft
Sun exposure: Partial to full shade
Soil type: Clay, loam (silt), moist to dry, well-draining
Soil pH: Acidic, alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Summer, spring
Flower color: Greenish white
Hardiness zones: 4-8
Native Area: Northwest America, British Columbia

#32. Feather reed grass

It is a cool season, hybrid ornamental grass. It is known for its clumpy, wire-like leaves, with loosely feather plumes.

It is good for both fresh and dry flower arrangements since the plumes could withstand the winter. It does not seed making it a non-invasive plant that can be used as accent grass. It is pest, insect and disease resistant.

Botanical Name: Calamagrostis x acutiflora
Common name: Feather reed grass, Overdam
Plant type: Ornamental
Mature size: 5ft
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Clay, moist to very dry
Soil pH: acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Fall
Flower color: Cream/tan
Hardiness zones: 4a-11b
Native Area: North America, Russia

#33. Elephant grass

It is more than just an ornamental plant. Its distinct high biomass yield, fast-growing yet low mineral content properties of this grass made it a biofuel energy source at par with corn. It is a tropical grass known to tolerate both wet and dry conditions. It is also a known forage grass.

Botanical Name: Pennisetum purpureum
Common name: Elephant grass
Plant type: Native, ornamental
Mature size: 6ft
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Medium moist, well-draining
Soil pH: Slightly acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Year round
Flower color: green, yellow
Hardiness zones: 8-11
Native Area: Sub-Saharan Africa

#34. Indian grass

It is a perennial, warm-season grass with fibrous roots, rough but ribbon-like leaves. It is pest and deer resistant with nodding flower panicles blooming in the fall and summer.

It is also drought tolerant and it attracts songbirds and small critters. It is a good accent grass for a winter themed garden or lawn.

Botanical Name: Sorghastrum elliottii
Common name: Nodding Indian grass
Plant type: Native perennial. Ornamental grass
Mature size: 6ft
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Moist, occasionally dry
Soil pH: Slightly acidic, alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Fall, summer
Flower color: Insignificant
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Native Area: Central and Southeastern USA, North Carolina

#35. Sedge grass

It is the general term for more than 100 Carex species and cultivars. It is known for its dense and tall clumped leaves that are shaped like fountains.

The leaves will remain cream colored year-round. It gives beautiful texture to damp regions and a good accent ornamental grass in garden beds and ground cover to woodland gardens.

Botanical Name: Carex spp.
Common name: Sedge
Plant type: Ground cover, ornamental grass, broadleaf evergreen
Mature size: 0.5-1 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Clay, silt, sand, rocky, well-draining
Soil pH: Acid, alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Year-round
Flower color: Brown, copper
Hardiness zones: 7b-9a
Native Area: South New Zealand Isles

#36. Japanese blood grass

It is an ornamental grass known for its changing leaf colors. In the spring, it is bright green, in the summer it turns into cranberry red and then it turns into burgundy in the fall.

It will grow dormant in the winter and provides a good accent and contrast in the garden. It is also deer resistant and very low maintenance.

Botanical Name: Imperata cylindrica
Common name: Red baron
Plant type: Ornamental grass, ground cover
Mature size: 2-4 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Clay, loam, moist but well-drained
Soil pH: Acid, alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Year-round
Flower color: Gray, silver, white
Hardiness zones: 5a-9a
Native Area: Southeast Asia, Micronesia, Australia, Southern Europe and Africa

#37. Citronella grass

It is a perennial, clump-growing grass known for its wide medicinal properties. Like lemon grass, it is one of the 12 most potent grasses that could ward off insects and pests, specifically mosquitoes. It is also processed for essential oils and fragrance.

Botanical Name: Cymbopogon nardus/winterianus
Common name: Citronella
Plant type: Ornamental, medicinal
Mature size: 4-6 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Loam, sandy, moist and well-draining
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Flower color: Light brown
Hardiness zones: 10-12
Native Area: Southeast Asia

#38. Blue oat grass

It is a dense, perennial grass that grows in clumps. It is known for its blue green foliage. It is commonly confused with tall fescues but blue oat grass is larger and taller than them.

It will grow blue flower panicles in the summer and fall but its blue green color will stay year-round.

Botanical Name: Helictotrichon sempervirens
Common name: Blue oat grass
Plant type: Ornamental, perennial
Mature size: 1.5-3 ft
Sun exposure: Part to full shade
Soil type: Sandy, heavy clay, well-draining
Soil pH: Alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Summer, fall
Flower color: Blue, tan
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Native Area: West Mediterranean

#39. Miscanthus grass

It is the general term for more that 150 species and cultivars including the zebra grass and maiden grass. It has a green coarse foliage in the spring, purple in the fall and brown or tan in the winter. It can tolerate both wet and dry soils and hot and tolerably cold climates.

Botanical Name: Miscanthus spp.
Common name: Miscanthus, silver grass
Plant type: Ornamental, clumping perennial
Mature size: 8-12 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: clay, silt, sand, moist and well-draining
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Fall, winter
Flower color: Cream, red, burgundy
Hardiness zones: 5a-9a
Native Area: Southeast Asia, Japan, the Pacific region

#40. Sudan grass

It is tall, fast growing, warm season grass that is cultivated because it is useful in preventing soil erosion, rebuilding soil and in loosening compact, clumped soils.

It is called as such because it is a hybrid between sorghum and sudangrass used as legume cover and forage grass. It suppresses weeds and nematodes too.

Botanical Name: Sorghum x drummondii
Common name: Hybrid sudan, Sudan grass
Plant type: Ground cover, forage grass
Mature size: 3-4 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Sand, loam, moderate to well-draining
Soil pH: Slightly acidic, neutral
Bloom time: None
Flower color: None
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Native Area: West Africa

#41. Barnyard grass

It is mostly known as an agricultural weed. It has flat leaves that will get more flattened as it grows in the stem base. It produces its own seeds, hence, invasive. It also grows tiny purple flowers that make it good as accent grass.

Botanical Name: Echinochloa crus-galli
Common name: Cockspur grass, barnyard millet
Plant type: Native annual,
Mature size: 3.5-6 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Clay, loam, moist and well-draining
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Sumer, fall
Flower color: Purple
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Native Area: Southeast Asia, Central/South America

#42. Goosegrass

It has pale-green stems, deep green, flat and folded leaves. Its leaves are also tough and at mature phase cannot be cut by ordinary cutting implements. It has strong roots, fast-growing and can grow in compact soils. It could be invasive as it can produce its own seeds.

Botanical Name: Eleusine indica
Common name: Wire grass, bull grass
Plant type: Native, weed, ornamental
Mature size: 4 ft
Sun exposure: Partial to full sun
Soil type: Clay-loam, sandy, shallow rocky, moist to slightly dry
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
Bloom time: Fall
Flower color: Greenish white
Hardiness zones: 8-11
Native Area: Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia

#43. Torpedo grass

It has grayish green leaves that are narrow and rolled inward. It has torpedo-shaped rootstock and rhizome roots with white-brown scales. It produces its own seeds though and can be quite invasive often targeting rice fields.

Botanical Name: Panicum repens
Common name: Bullet grass, panic rampant
Plant type: Aquatic, herbaceous perennial, grass/sedge
Mature size: 3ft
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Sandy, moist, well-draining
Soil pH: Mildly acidic, mildly alkaline, neutral
Bloom time: Insignificant
Flower color: Summer, fall
Hardiness zones: 8a-11a
Native Area: Africa and Asia

What is the world’s tallest grass?

The world’s tallest grass is elephant grass, also known as Napier grass. It can grow up to 12 feet tall and has long, flat leaves. It grows in tropical regions and is popular for use in livestock feed and erosion control.

Elephant grass can be harvested several times a year, providing an abundant source of food and fodder. It is high in protein and minerals, making it an excellent choice for those looking to supplement their diet with natural sources of nutrition.

Elephant grass is also naturally resistant to many common pests and diseases, making it a reliable choice for sustainable land management. In some areas, elephant grass has been used as a renewable source of fuel due to its high energy content.

Where is the longest grass in the world?

The longest grass in the world is located in Africa’s Serengeti National Park. The park is home to over 4,500 different species of plants, including various types of tall grasses such as red oat grass, yellow top grass and umbrella thorn acacia.

This lush vegetation provides food and shelter for the park’s large population of wild animals, including zebras, gazelles and elephants. The savanna grasslands of the Serengeti can reach up to 12 feet in height and provide an ideal habitat for these large mammals to roam freely. It truly is a remarkable sight!

In addition to being home to some of the tallest grasses in the world, the Serengeti also contains a wide variety of other habitats from woodlands and rocky hills to huge lakes and wetlands.

Its diverse ecosystems make it an ideal destination for wildlife viewing, with many visitors coming to observe the park’s amazing array of species. With its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife and impressive grasses, the Serengeti is definitely a must-see destination for nature lovers.

Conclusion

Grass is not just a generic landscape element. It comes in many types with specific uses. It is also astounding to know that most grasses bloom with flowers.

They are not just grass and plumes and that is the reason why they do not just come handy for covering ground and serving as turf grass but also as ornamentals.

However, they could still be invasive if not controlled so knowing how to plant, maintain and take care of them individually is important and looking through their grass profiles is imperative.