Drought Tolerant Lawn Varieties

Many Aussies live in areas of the country that can be affected by drought throughout times of the year. A lack of rain, combined with water restrictions can lead to the death of plants and lawns that aren’t cut out for such environments, and lawns that aren’t tolerant to drought could end up brown and lifeless when subjected to such an environment. However, there are some varieties of grass that are more resilient against these drought conditions, and cope better with a lack of water.

If you live in an area that experiences drought, it’s important to ensure you choose a type of grass that can handle the conditions, if you wish to maintain a nice-looking lawn. Lawns that are tolerant to drought usually have attributes such as deep root systems and lower water needs than most other varieties.

Below we have listed a few examples of lawns that are tolerant to drought conditions. 

Zoysia

Zoysia is a warm-season grass that is drought-tolerant, making it well-suited for many Aussie climates. This grass variety has a fine leaf, is tolerant of light shade, and grows slowly. There are many different types of zoysia grass, such as Zoysia Japonica and Zoysia Matrella, with each variety having differing pros and cons. Zoysia’s need for little water and deep root systems make it a popular option for areas often affected by drought.

Tall Fescue

Tall Fescue is a cool-season grass that is available in both turf and seed, depending on your needs. It is tolerant of wear, drought and shade. This variety of grass has a deep root system, and is good at keeping its colour during stressful times. Tall Fescue is one of the hardiest cool-season grasses, and is a bunch-forming grass, meaning it needs to be dethatched less than many other grass varieties. The deep root systems, adaptability and versatile nature of Tall Fescue mean that it can work well in areas that experience hot climates and drought conditions. 

TifTuf

TifTuf is a variety of Bermuda grass that has good tolerance of drought and can withstand high levels of wear. This variety of grass is good at self-repairing, and low-maintenance due to its low water requirements. TifTuf was created by scientists over a period of 25 years, in the hopes of achieving a year-round lawn with minimal maintenance needs. A relatively high shade tolerance and fine leaf are also attributes of TifTuf. This grass is only available as turf, and cannot be purchased in seed form. 

There are many different types of grasses that can tolerate drought conditions in Australia, and Zoysia, Tall Fescue and TifTuf are just a few examples. When preparing a drought-tolerant lawn, it can help to weigh up the pros and cons of each variety, figure out the attributes and features you require, and see which types are the best match for you, before buying.