Bahia Grass
Paspalum notatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paspaleae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Argentine (widely used for lawns, known for wider dark green leaves and better turf quality)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; excellent heat tolerance, but poor cold tolerance, entering winter dormancy and turning straw-colored upon the first frost.
About This Grass
Bahia grass forms a somewhat coarse, low-growing, yet tough turf. Color ranges from light to medium green. When unmowed, it produces characteristic Y-shaped seed heads featuring two (sometimes three) V-shaped racemes containing rows of spikelets, growing up to 18-30 inches tall.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are relatively flat, tough, and coarse (typically 3-8 mm wide), with pointed to slightly rounded tips. Margins can be somewhat rough. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Extremely deep, tough, and extensive fibrous root system, often reaching several feet into the soil. It has a moderate to high tendency to form thatch, establishes quickly from seed, and provides exceptional drought survival and soil anchoring.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to South America (Argentina, Brazil); widely naturalized and cultivated in the Southeastern United States and tropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressive, spreading via both robust stolons and short, scaly rhizomes, forming a tough, coarse turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (poor shade tolerance). Moderate to high drought tolerance due to its deep root system, going dormant in severe drought and greening up quickly with rain. Prefers acidic, sandy soils but adapts to various soil types.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.0 to 3.0 inches. Requires frequent mowing during the active summer growing season due to rapid seed head production ('Y-heads'). Low fertilizer requirements (1-2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Low overall maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance once established, highly resistant to many pests and diseases, excellent erosion control on sandy or sloping soils, and strong drought recovery. However, it can invade neighboring fine-turf lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good pasture forage for livestock and erosion control on poor soils. Wildlife value includes seed consumption by birds. Can be considered weedy in high-maintenance turf settings.