Your Zip Code:

Log In | Register Now | Help Center

Home » Help Center » Scotts Article Library » Lawn Care Articles & Videos » Seed » How to Grow and Care for a Bahiagrass Lawn

Help Center

Send to a Friend

close

Please type your email address and your friend's email address. Then type a message and click send to a friend.

One or more errors have occurred:






    Hooray, it's on its way and should arrive shortly.

    How to Grow and Care for a Bahiagrass Lawn

    This Grass Is Suited for the Conditions of the Gulf Coast

    bahiagrass sample

    If you live in a coastal area in the South, chances are your soil is sandy and acidic. Temperatures range from warm to sweltering. That's why you need a grass that can take the heat, handle dry spells, and still look good. That sounds like a job for bahiagrass. Bahiagrass is native to South America and traditionally has been used in this country for low-maintenance areas, such as roadsides. Nowadays, there are several improved varieties on the market that produce beautiful turf that's ideal for lawns along the Gulf Coast.


    bahiagrass sample

    About Bahiagrass

    Bahiagrass is a sun-loving grass that doesn't like cold or shade. It grows by thick stolons, or root-like stems. It doesn't spread aggressively, but forms a very thick carpet of grass. So a bahiagrass lawn is tough enough for foot traffic, but a challenge to mow (keep your blade sharp and use a heavy-duty mower). Bahiagrass is less likely to invade garden beds than other warm-season grasses. Better yet, it tolerates poor soil conditions well, and doesn't require much fertilizer*.

    *Southern Lawns: Your Guide to a Beautiful Yard; Nick Christians, Ashton Ritchie, David Mellor; Meredith Books.


    Planting Bahiagrass

    On new lawns, you can plant seed or sod, depending on your time and budget. If you're seeding over bare soil - either a bare spot or your entire lawn - choose a quality seed, such as Scotts® Turf Builder® Pensacola Bahiagrass. Loosen up your soil and then spread the grass seed with a spreader. If your area is large, use a broadcast spreader, such as the Scotts® Turf Builder® EdgeGuard® DLX. For small areas, use a Scotts® Easy® Hand-Held Spreader. Be sure to use the spreader setting indicated on the product label. Keep in mind that putting down too much seed creates weak seedlings that often die because they cannot get the resources they need to develop into strong grass plants


    bahiagrass diagram

    Maintaining Your Bahiagrass Lawn

    Bahiagrass doesn't need to be fed as often as many other grass types. If you do fertilize, be sure to use a product that contains iron, especially if the soil pH is higher than 7. You'll want to keep it mowed to about 2-4 inches, because the grass has a tendency to grow straggly seedheads.


    Bahiagrass, Pests, and Diseases

    The main afflictions your bahiagrass lawn will have to endure are brown patch, dollar spot, and mole crickets.


    Lawn App
    My Scotts Lawn App Manage your lawn right from your phone. Get friendly care reminders, exclusive offers, helpful tips and more.
    iTunes Store Google Play
    Ortho App
    Ortho Problem Solver AppHave lawn, garden or home pest control problem?
    Get the solution with the new Ortho Problem
    Solver App.
    iTunes Store Google Play