Buffalo Grass

Highlights

The name makes you picture buffalo herds happily grazing as they roam the prairies. However, most American lawns are grown from northern European grass species, which is why conventional lawns need so much water to stay green. This tough native grass needs less water and less fertilizer than non-native grasses, so it makes a great lawn replacement.

Scroll on for planting and sourcing tips.

Why buffalo grass matters

Buffalo grass is a low-maintenance, tough grass native to the Great Plains of North America. Imagine thousands of miles of prairie filled with this grass while wild bison roamed and grazed (hence the name!)

This prairie native has been growing in North America for thousands of years, and it’s built for extremes. It stands up to drought, wind, and temperature swings, and it needs a fraction of the water and care that non-native lawns do.

Native plants like buffalo grass give your yard beauty and toughness, and they support wildlife in ways many non-native plants can’t match.

A quick history of buffalo grass

There are many written accounts of settlers describing rolling acres of buffalo grass when the West was first settled. It was so abundant and sturdy that it was literally used to build homes! Early sod houses were made of buffalo grass.

It wasn’t until the 1930s that buffalo grass was first used as turf grass. It once had a reputation for being hard to establish, but newer cultivars make it easier to plant and maintain.

Buffalo grass spreads by stolons, or above-ground runners—like strawberries—allowing it to knit together quickly into a dense, soft turf.

What buffalo grass looks like as a lawn

Buffalo grass looks most like a traditional turf lawn, with thick green blades and a soft texture once established. It can be mowed to 3 inches or left natural at 4 to 8 inches tall.

Because bison historically grazed it short, buffalo grass evolved to thrive with cutting, meaning it handles mowing beautifully. Its texture can be tougher than non-native grasses. The grass blades are thicker and wider than the standard non-native seed that comes from big box nurseries.

It’s tougher and thicker than imported grasses, but it forms a strong root system that makes it highly drought-resistant and great for erosion control. After the first year, it thrives on rainfall alone.

Is buffalo grass a good choice for your yard?

Yes—if:

• You want a low-water, low-mow lawn
• Your space gets at least 6–8 hours of full sun
• You don’t mind it going dormant and tan in winter
• You don’t plan on constant heavy foot traffic (occasional is fine)

Maybe not—if:

• You need a grass that tolerates shade
• You expect a bright green lawn all winter
• You host frequent, high-impact play or sports

A few other tips:

Buffalo grass can’t handle heavy, constant foot traffic. It doesn’t mind being heavily used occasionally or constant light traffic, but it doesn’t do well with both. So if you are playing soccer daily on your grass, you’ll probably want to keep some of it as European lawn.

Try a cultivar to make it easier for lawns

Newer types of buffalo grass cultivars have been introduced that work especially well as lawns. Some of the types that Colorado State Extension Service recommends include Bison, Bowie, Cody, Plains, Topgun, Legacy, Prestige, and Turffalo. Check out the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s guide to the different buffalo grass cultivars.

A note for Mid-Atlantic or Southeast gardens:

This might not be your lawn replacement

Buffalo grass thrives in the dry, hot, full sun environment of Midwestern prairies. In a humid or wet environment, it struggles, allowing weeds to quickly overtake the area.

Got shade? Buffalo grass needs 6 to 8 hours of sun, so try Pennsylvania sedge, the lawn that mows itself in part to full shade. For a sunny, dry bed instead of a lawn, try prairie dropseed, which grows about two feet tall.

Not sure whether to keep a lawn at all? See lawns vs. native gardens: which is easier?

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science recommends against planting buffalo grass in most of Maryland because of the humid climate.

How to grow buffalo grass

When to plant

Plant in spring once the soil reaches about 60°F. Warm weather helps it establish quickly before winter.

Start with a clean slate

Remove existing grass and weeds before planting. Buffalo grass can’t compete with non-native turf. You can till or use an herbicide to clear the area.

Choose your planting method:

• Sod: fastest but most expensive
• Seed: cheapest, but slowest to fill in
• Plugs: a good middle ground. Space them 6 to 24 inches apart, and you’ll have a full lawn in 6 to 12 weeks

Buffalo grass from seed

Seed is the cheapest way to start a buffalo grass lawn and it’s also the slowest. A seeded lawn goes through an awkward teenage phase for a couple of years. The seeds are sold as burs, like the kind that stick to your pant legs. Look for burs labeled pre-treated (some bags say “primed”), which means they’ve been given a head start on sprouting. Sow in late spring, making sure the seeds are just below the surface either by hand or by using a seed drill. If you use a spreader, be sure to cover the seeds with a little soil.

If you go the seed route, expect to give your lawn two to three years of attention, patience, and hand weeding while it thickens. But trust us, in the end it will be worth it! The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science notes that “In a Virginia roadside trial, buffalograss cover in the second year of growth never exceeded 60% cover….In the third year, however, four buffalograss cultivars had an average ground cover above 70% despite a severe summer drought.”

Buffalo grass from plugs

Plugs are the middle road: faster than seed and cheaper than sod. Each plug is a small clump of grass that sends out runners until the gaps close. Plant them like cookie dough on a baking sheet, with room between (6 to 24 inches). Closer spacing fills in faster, and most lawns are covered in about six to 12 weeks. Plant after the last spring frost and at least six weeks before the first fall frost. Water in short bursts several times a day for the first week or so.

Buffalo grass sod

Sod is the instant lawn, with no waiting for any gaps to fill. It costs the most, and it can be harder to find than seeds or plugs, but it is the most surefire and fastest way to get your new lawn established. Lay the strips snugly like bricks with the end seams staggered, then press or roll them so the roots touch soil. Don’t panic if it turns brown for a week or two; that’s the roots settling in.

First-year care

Water regularly during the first growing season. After it’s established, it will need 50–75% less water than a conventional lawn. Weed early and often until it fills in.

Ongoing care

Once established, buffalo grass thrives on minimal care. Fertilize once a year if desired, and water only during extended droughts. In full sun and poor soil, it will still thrive.

Planting a dry, sunny border next to the lawn? See the best native plants for dry areas.

Plant nerd fact

Buffalo grass for a…house?

The dense roots of buffalo grass once knitted together the soils of the prairie. When dug up into strips and stacked, it formed some of the early colonists’ homes.

Brian at Turf Mechanic has a helpful overview if you decide to go the seed route:

Can you mow buffalo grass?

Yes! After the grass is established, it can be mowed. Just like with European lawngrass, the higher you let it grow, the healthier and more drought-tolerant it will be. Experts recommend mowing it to 3 to 4 inches. Or you can let it grow naturally for a more meadow-like look. It will top out at about 4 to 8 inches, depending on the variety.

To keep it looking green, buffalo grass will need about an inch of water every few weeks, usually in the hottest parts of the summer. (If not watered, it’ll simply go dormant and green back up when it rains again.)

Sit back and enjoy your buffalo grass lawn!

Where can I buy buffalo grass?

Most big-box garden centers don’t carry true natives, but buffalo grass is easier to find than you might think. Your best bets are a native plant nursery near you, a native plant society sale, or a trusted online grower that ships to your region.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about this native alternative to European turf grass. To learn more about planting buffalo grass as a lawn, check out your local college extension service. For example, Colorado State and Missouri State have thorough articles to help you. Or, visit our Beginner’s Guide to Native Grasses and Sedges. Happy planting!

Similar plants

• Sedges
• Grasses and Sedges
• Little Bluestem
• Prairie Dropseed
• Pines
• Purple Lovegrass
• Manzanitas
• Buckwheat
• Bottlebrush Grass

Updated October 18, 2026Find more: Evergreen · Grass · Full Sun · Drought-Tolerant

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