Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Standard turf-type varieties bred for dense tillering and dark green color
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9, excellent cold tolerance, moderate heat tolerance
About This Grass
Forms a fine to medium-textured, upright turf with a bright to dark green color and a glossy underside on the leaves; exceptionally fast to germinate and establish
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (2-4mm), flat shape with pointed tips, folded in the bud (vernation), glossy lower surface with prominent parallel veins, and prominent clasping auricles at the collar
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system, moderate thatch tendency, rapid establishment speed, forms a dense bunch-type sod
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, Asia, and North Africa; naturalized globally in temperate regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with no rhizomes or stolons, spreads via tillers
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade, requires regular moisture and moderate watering, low to moderate drought tolerance, prefers well-drained fertile soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 1.5 to 2.5 inches height, frequent mowing required due to fast growth, medium to high maintenance level, fertilize 3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually
Special Characteristics
High traffic and wear tolerance, fast recovery from damage, rapid germination, poor extreme drought and extreme heat tolerance
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for erosion control, overseeding dormant warm-season lawns, and pasture forage; provides good soil stabilization and wildlife value