Posted on May 29, 2025 by Lawn Doctor
Keeping your lawn looking lush and green year-round can be a challenge, especially if you live in an area that doesn’t see a lot of rain. Choosing heat and drought-tolerant grass varieties can make life easier, but even the most drought-resistant lawns will still need some water. Read on to learn about some of the best grass varieties for dry climates.
This resilient and adaptable grass has a coarse texture and requires heavy seeding, but once seeded, it copes well with only a limited amount of water and happens to be capable of tolerating a lot of foot traffic, making it a good option for busy gardens.
If you prefer a more natural appearance to your yard, sheep fescue is a good option. This bunching grass requires fertilizing once every 2 years and doesn’t require mowing frequently. However, it has an uneven texture and isn’t a good option for a lawn that will be used for play or relaxation.
Compared to the other grasses listed above, Kentucky bluegrass requires more water. However, if the soil is fertile and the grass isn’t mowed too short, it can survive on half of its usual water intake. It’s also quite resilient to foot traffic. If you live in an area where it’s only dry for a few months of the year, this grass could be a suitable (and visually appealing) option.
Even drought-tolerant grasses will require some water, but the deep root systems of many of these varieties mean they can collect water from the soil quite effectively, taking advantage of even the most brief rainy spell. In general, however, most of the grass varieties listed above will benefit from watering once a week.
A fast-healing grass that has a deep root system, bermudagrass is quite resilient and recovers quickly after dry spells. This grass goes dormant during the winter months, so many lawn owners overseed it with another variety, such as ryegrass, to keep a nice green-looking lawn year-round.
Buffalograss has a thick, lush turf and is quite a hardy type of grass. Ideally, it requires only 1/4 inch of water a week during the summer months, but it can survive on even less water than that for a while. Buffalograss thrives best when left unmowed and grows to around 5 inches, making it ideal as a decorative grass but less suited to backyard gardens.
This coarse-leaf grass does best in shaded areas and is reasonably resilient, so it can handle some foot traffic. It goes dormant during the winter but retains a medium-green appearance when it does so. It’s a drought-resistant variety and can actually become susceptible to diseases if it’s overwatered.
Warm-season grasses grow best during the summer months and usually cope better with dry spells than their cool-season counterparts. However, it’s still important to check that the specific variety you choose has been cultivated with drought resistance in mind.
Lawns that are generally in good health are more likely to survive a drought than ones that are already struggling. If you want to make sure your lawn is prepared for dry weather, get into the habit of watering it deeply but infrequently. In addition, make sure the soil is properly aerated and fertilized with the right fertilizer and to an appropriate schedule.
Mowing practices can make a big difference to lawn health. Taking care to mow to the right length for the type of grass is essential. Cutting too short can make the grass more susceptible to damage.
If you’re in the middle of a drought and are rationing water, wait until later in the day when it’s cooler to water your lawn so that the water doesn’t just evaporate, and try not to cut the grass too often.
Keep in mind that your grass may turn yellow during a drought. This is a sign that it’s gone dormant to try to survive the drought. Dormant grass isn’t dead and should recover once it starts receiving water again. However, dormant grass is more susceptible to damage, so try not to disturb it too much by letting pets or children play on the lawn.
If you’re concerned about dry weather in your area and want to make sure your lawn always looks at its best, the lawn care professionals at Lawn Doctor are here to advise you. Contact us now to book a visit from one of our lawn care experts and get your garden ready for the dry season.
Contact Lawn Doctor to help care for your lawn when you can’t.
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