Bahia Grass

What is Bahia Grass?

Bahia Grass is a warm season grass, resistant to drought, disease and insect attacks. Will survive in a variety of soils from sandy to clay and other infertile, dry soils. Requires some maintenance. The grass will thin out over time and has a low tolerance to many weed control herbicides. Used extensively in lawns along coastal areas in Florida. Vigorous growing habit requires frequent mowing during hot weather. It has a coarse blade and is not suitable for soils with high a pH.

Bahia grass is drought resistant turf. It does well in lawns and along highways, and its best used in sunny areas in warm humid regions. Its roots can extend up to 8' deep.

In Florida, Bahia grass survives in level areas with no irrigation, but often fails on sandy embankments. It can also be ruined by excess watering, when none is required, and by excess fertilization. Bahia grass normally goes semi-dormant during winter, yet people sometimes fertilize and water it to keep it green in winter, and thereby encourage weed populations.

There are no post-emergence herbicides for grassy weeds in Bahia grass, which is a problem. Most weed problems in Bahia grass could be avoided by proper seed establishment and timely mowing. The large state agencies responsible for maintenance of utility turf struggle to find funds to keep Bahia grass mown properly. In summer its rapid vertical growth and exuberant seed head production are remarkable.

Introduced to the US in the 30s from South America as a feed grass for cattle grazing.

Buffalo Gras

Where does Bahia best grow?.

Along coastal areas in Florida.