The Best Lawn Grass for Backyards

Determining what is the best turf for backyard lawns is a bit like asking, “How long is a piece of string?” Every home is different. This guide walks you through the key things to consider when choosing instant turf for the perfect backyard lawn and crowns champions across multiple categories.

Factors in Choosing the Best Grass for Lawn Installations

Before jumping into specific turf types, let’s break down the critical factors that will guide your decision.

Sunlight Levels

Often, the most critical factor. Like any plant, all grass species need sunlight to grow via photosynthesis, but their requirements vary significantly between varieties. There are some that simply won’t survive on less than 6 hours of full sunlight a day. Observe how much sunlight your yard receives throughout the day, factoring in any seasonal changes, to assess how much sun your lawn will receive overall.

• Full Sun – 6+ hours of direct sun. Ideal for most grass varieties, especially sun-loving grasses like some types of couch grass and Kikuyu.
• Partial Shade – 3–6 hours of direct sun, or consistent filtered/dappled light. Requires shade-tolerant varieties like Buffalo grass and Zoysia.
• Heavy Shade – Less than 3 hours of direct sun. Very challenging for most types of grass; specific shade-tolerant grasses like Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo are your best bet here – though even these may struggle. Keep in mind that heavily shaded lawns will grow more slowly and won’t handle wear as well.

Lawn Use – Showpiece or Playground?

How will you use your lawn? An ornamental front yard has different needs than a backyard that hosts regular games of backyard cricket or energetic pets.

• High Traffic Areas – If your lawn needs to withstand heavy foot traffic, prioritise grass varieties known for high wear tolerance and rapid self-repair, such as TifTuf Bermuda or Eureka Premium VG Kikuyu.
• Low Traffic / Ornamental – If foot traffic isn’t a major concern, such as in front yards or decorative areas, then you can choose whichever turf you prefer, as long as it suits the other site conditions.

Look and Feel

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but you might want to consider:

• Leaf Texture – Do you prefer the finer blades of couch grass or Zoysia grass, or the lusher, wider blades of soft leaf Buffalo grass like Sir Walter?
• Colour – Like fine wines, premium turf types have their own subtle colour variations, spanning from the yellow-tinged emerald tones of Eureka Kikuyu through to the verdant dark green colour characteristic of Sir Grange Zoysia.
• Density – A dense turf creates a more carpet-like feel. Choices like TifTuf or Zoysia are great for this effect.

Other Considerations

• Allergies – Some people (and pets) are sensitive to grass pollen, suffering symptoms like hayfever or itchy skin. Varieties, including Sir Walter DNA-Certified Buffalo and Sir Grange Zoysia, are known for being low-allergenic due to minimal seed head production. Kikuyu, on the other hand, can produce more, especially if not mown regularly.
• Maintenance Level – Be realistic about how much time you’re willing to spend on lawn care. Some grasses need frequent mowing (Kikuyu, TifTuf), while others are genuinely low maintenance (Sir Walter, Sir Grange). Consider fertiliser and watering needs too.
• Extreme weather conditions – Australia’s climates vary widely. Consider your local climate – do you get severe frosts (common in southern/alpine areas) or extended hot dry spells? It’s so important to choose the best turf for the variable Melbourne climate when the weather demands resilience for both frosts and drought.

Sir Walter is a great all-rounder who can handle extreme heat and cold. Although a warm-season grass type, it keeps its colour well during the winter. RTF Tall Fescue is a cool-season grass that maintains steady growth and evergreen colour, keeping a healthy lawn look year-round in chilly climates.

What is the Best Turf for Australian Lawns? Breaking Down Our Top Picks

Based on the factors above, here are our recommendations on the best grass for lawn use across common conditions and user profiles.

Best Overall – Sir Walter DNA-Certified Buffalo Grass

For a reliable, great-looking lawn that ticks most boxes for Australian homeowners, Sir Walter Buffalo turf is hard to beat. It blends ease of care with robust performance in as much as 70 per cent shade coverage and wide-ranging soil types. A true Aussie all-rounder, it can withstand heat and cold, drought and flooding rains – all while requiring minimal upkeep. You beauty!

Why it wins:

• Excellent balance of shade tolerance (best in class for warm season grasses) and full sun performance
• Good drought tolerance thanks to its deep root system
• Good wear tolerance for typical family use
• Great low-maintenance option (less mowing and fertilising)
• Soft leaf feels great underfoot
• Low-allergenic

Honourable Mention – TifTuf Bermuda offers higher wear and drought tolerance if you get at least 4 hours of full sun a day and don’t mind more regular mowing.

Best on a Budget – Eureka Premium VG Kikuyu

When toughness and value are top priorities for sunny yards, Eureka Premium VG Kikuyu delivers exceptional durability without the premium price tag. It establishes quickly, creating a dense lawn fast.

Why it wins:

• Excellent value for money
• Exceptional wear tolerance and rapid recovery make it ideal for very high traffic areas
• Thrives in full sunlight and handles heavy rain well
• Strong stem growth provides durability

Honourable Mention – TifTuf Bermuda turf is also relatively cost-effective and offers better drought tolerance, though Kikuyu repairs slightly faster.

Best for Allergy Sufferers – Sir Walter Buffalo

If allergies are a concern for your family or pets, choosing a lawn known for low pollen and seed head production is essential. Sir Walter Buffalo stands out in this category.

Why it wins:

• Produces very few seed heads (a common allergen source)
• Consistently recommended as a low-allergenic grass type
• Its soft leaf is non-irritating

Honourable Mention – Sir Grange Zoysia also produces minimal seed heads and has fine, soft leaf blades that feel great underfoot.

Best Grass Type for Active Users – TifTuf Bermuda Grass

For backyards that play host to frantic footy games or dynamic doggos, you need turf that can handle the pressure. TifTuf Bermuda was bred for this, and is the ideal choice for active families in lightly shaded to full sun backyards.

Why it wins:

• Incredibly wear-resistant with exceptional tolerance for heavy foot traffic
• Fast-repairing nature due to vigorous runner growth
• Maintains density under pressure
• Extremely low water needs mean it stays strong even under drought conditions or fast-draining sandy soils
• Can be mown super low (as short as 3mm on some golf courses’ greens), meaning homeowners can turn backyards into sports fields

Honourable Mention – Eureka Premium VG Kikuyu grass offers slightly faster repair but isn’t quite as drought-tolerant.

Best ‘Lazy Lawn’ (Low Maintenance) – Sir Walter Buffalo

Not in love with those gardening gloves and want a beautiful lawn without dedicating every weekend to it? Sir Walter Buffalo fits the bill for an easy-care yet attractive home lawn.

Why it wins:

• Requires significantly less mowing than faster-growing grasses like Kikuyu or TifTuf
• Lower fertiliser needs
• Good drought tolerance suited to dry climates, meaning less frequent watering once established
• Natural density helps suppress weeds

Honourable Mention – Sir Grange Zoysia requires even less mowing and fertiliser but needs good drainage and is slower to establish/repair.

Best For Pool Surrounds – Sir Grange Zoysia

Creating a sophisticated look around pools or in feature lawn areas requires specific characteristics. Sir Grange Zoysia offers a premium, fine-leafed aesthetic combined with practical benefits.

Why it wins:

• Very fine, dense leaf creates a premium, carpet-like appearance
• Good salt tolerance makes it suitable near salt-chlorinated pools
• Low maintenance in terms of mowing/fertilising keeps it looking neat
• Good performance in full sun to partial shade

Honourable Mention – TifTuf Bermuda also has a fine leaf and excellent wear tolerance, making it another good option, especially if faster repair is needed.

What About Cool Season Grasses? Introducing RTF Tall Fescue

While warm season grasses dominate most Australian lawns, cool season grasses like RTF Tall Fescue offer unique advantages, particularly for staying green through the cooler months. If you live in the south or an alpine area with a colder environment, it’s worth considering this option.

• Role & Benefits – RTF Tall Fescue maintains its deep green colour through winter when warm season types show winter dormancy. It has good shade tolerance and handles cooler climates well. Its deep root system offers reasonable drought tolerance for a cool-season variety. Self-repairing rhizomes give it better wear characteristics than older fescues.
• Considerations – It generally requires more water during hot, dry summers than drought-tolerant warm-season grass varieties. It may struggle in extreme heat compared to Buffalo grass, Bermuda grass, or Zoysia. Best suited for areas with moderate foot traffic or consistent moisture.

Making Your Choice & Next Steps

Choosing the best lawn grass involves balancing your priorities, including sun exposure, usage, maintenance preferences, desired look, and budget. Hopefully, this guide has helped clarify which turf variety might be right for your needs. Remember that proper site preparation before you lay turf is crucial for establishing a healthy lawn, regardless of the grass type you choose. Ongoing lawn care, including appropriate watering, mowing, and fertilising, will ensure your turf thrives for years to come. Read more about installing your new lawn with natural turf here.

Still unsure? Call our team to discuss your ideal lawn turf on 1800 622 455, or use our handy turf selector tool to choose the right grass for your needs.

Best Lawn Grass FAQs

I asked a relative what is the best turf and they said couch grass – is this true?

Your relative remembers correctly! For a long time, couch grass (also commonly known as Bermuda grass) was the ‘green and gold standard’ for durable Australian lawns, prized for its fine leaf and ability to handle heavy foot traffic in full sun. However, while still tough in sunny spots, traditional couch grass varieties can struggle significantly in shade, require frequent mowing to manage their stem growth and prevent spreading, and often brown off completely during winter dormancy.

Thankfully, modern turf breeding offers fantastic alternatives that often better suit Aussie backyards. Grass varieties like Sir Walter Buffalo provide excellent shade tolerance and are genuinely low-maintenance. Advanced Bermuda grass cultivars like TifTuf deliver incredible drought tolerance far beyond other grasses from the couch family. And Zoysia grass, such as Sir Grange, offers a fine-leaf look with minimal upkeep. These newer grass types generally provide a better balance of year-round performance, appearance, and easier lawn care compared to traditional couch for most home lawns.

What are the advantages of instant turf over lawn seed?

Instant turf gives you a beautiful lawn immediately, ready for light use, much faster than waiting for seeds to germinate and grow. It provides guaranteed coverage with your chosen turf variety, reducing initial weed problems and patchy results common with seeding. Enjoy a mature, healthy lawn in days, not months!

What are the best drought-tolerant varieties for full sun?

For full sun areas demanding high drought tolerance, TifTuf Bermuda is an outstanding choice, requiring significantly less water once established. Sir Grange Zoysia also boasts excellent drought resistance. While Sir Walter Buffalo and Eureka Kikuyu handle dry conditions well, TifTuf and Sir Grange Zoysia generally lead for water efficiency in sunny spots.

Best Shade-Tolerant Grass for Low-Light Lawns

A lush, green lawn can transform any backyard into an inviting oasis, but what happens when overarching trees, neighbouring buildings or the orientation of your house casts persistent shade? Many Victorian homeowners find their dreams of a healthy lawn challenged by low-light conditions. While all plants need sunlight, some turf types can thrive with surprisingly little. This means a shady spot doesn’t automatically rule out growing grass altogether. The key is choosing the right turf, specifically, shade-tolerant varieties designed to perform well even with limited sunlight.

This guide helps you see the sunny side of a shady yard. From choosing the right shade-tolerant turf to getting the most out of it. We’ll show you how to grow a lush shade-tolerant lawn, even in low light.

Shortlisting The Best Shade-Tolerant Grass Types

Selecting the right lawn variety is critical to the success of shaded lawns. While no grass will flourish in constant deep shade, several cultivars are specifically adapted to perform admirably in Victorian gardens where sunlight is at a premium.

Sir Walter Buffalo Grass

Sir Walter Buffalo is hands-down one of the best-performing warm-season grasses in lower light conditions. With its broad leaf and tight growth habit, this DNA-Certified shade-resistant turf can handle up to 70% shade while keeping its deep green colour. It’s an Aussie-bred variety developed to cope with our local conditions. This means it’s not made just for shade. Turf with the Sir Walter DNA-certified mark also offers very good drought tolerance and low-maintenance requirements. Whether it’s a courtyard that only gets a few hours of sun or a backyard with scattered tree cover, Sir Walter saves the day in many shady situations, giving you a lovely, lush lawn even without ample direct sunlight.

TifTuf Bermuda

If your shaded space still gets a decent dose of filtered or partial sunlight, TifTuf Bermuda could be the right choice. TifTuf’s fine texture, superbly drought-tolerant nature and quick green-up during the warmer months make it a tough performer. Add in high shade tolerance with as little as 4 hours of direct sunlight per day, and it’s a strong contender for those seeking a fine-leaf look for shaded areas.

RTF Tall Fescue

An excellent cool-season choice for challenging shady areas in Victoria, RTF Tall Fescue boasts strong shade tolerance. Though it thrives with more light, RTF is a strong performer in areas with just 3–4 hours of sun. Self-repairing rhizomes provide highly resistant wear tolerance compared to older fescues, while their deep root system aids persistence. This grass stays green longer through cooler months, offering turf cover where warm-season grasses often struggle with low light.

Understanding Shade Levels and Types

When assessing your site, it’s important to understand how much shade and the profile of light you’re dealing with. Not all shade is created equal, and the amount and type of light your lawn receives will significantly influence your choice of turf and its potential for success.

• Full Sun – Areas that receive 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. These conditions are ideal – and often essential – for sun-loving grasses. Even shade-tolerant varieties will generally thrive in full sun, provided they’re well watered and protected from extreme heat.
• Partial Shade / Dappled Sunlight – These spots might get 3-6 hours of direct sun daily, or consistent, filtered light (such as the patchwork light from high, open tree canopies) for much of the day. Many shade-tolerant varieties can perform well here.
• Moderate to High Shade – Areas receiving only 2-3 hours of direct sunlight, or predominantly indirect sunlight or very filtered light. This is where only the most shade-tolerant grass types have a chance.
• Deep Shade / Low Light – Areas receiving less than 2 hours of direct sun, or constant heavy shade from dense trees or structures. Growing grass here is extremely challenging, and often, alternative landscaping solutions might be better.

It’s always smart to increase light levels wherever possible. One of the easiest ways to do this is by trimming back trees and shrubs that are blocking sunlight. You might be surprised at what a difference a few hours with a pair of secateurs or hedge clippers can make. Pruning foliage and removing a few low-hanging branches really is the low-hanging fruit of DIY shade reduction!

Measuring Hours of Direct Sunlight

To choose the right turf, observe your lawn at different times of the day and, if possible, throughout different seasons (as the sun’s angle changes during summer and winter). Note which areas get direct sun and for how long. Try using sun tracking apps or online tools to visualise sunlight across your lawn throughout the year. This can be helpful when selecting the right lawn type and understanding seasonal changes in light exposure.

Can Grass Grow Without Direct Sun?

All living plants need sunlight, but like indoor plants, some grass types can thrive on much less than others. Shade-tolerant varieties often achieve this through adaptations like broader, thinner leaves designed to more efficiently absorb sunlight to create energy to grow via photosynthesis. However, without sufficient light, your lawn has limited potential for healthy growth and can face a range of other issues:

• Reduced Photosynthesis – Less energy leads to weaker growth, thinner grass blades, and less dense turf.
• Elongated Growth – Grass may stretch (“get leggy”) searching for light, becoming weaker and more prone to disease. For fine-textured grasses like TifTuf, frequent mowing with a reel mower can help prevent this.
• Increased Moisture Retention – Shady areas tend to stay damp longer, encouraging fungal diseases and moss growth. Proper maintenance, including aeration and cultivating sandy soil prior to laying the turf, can help mitigate this.
• Reduced Wear Tolerance – Even shade-tolerant grasses handle foot traffic less effectively and recover more slowly in low-light conditions compared to full sun. If possible, it’s best to plan your garden design to avoid shady parts of the lawn becoming high-wear areas.

As a rule of thumb, most lawns need at least 3-4 hours of direct sunlight daily (or significantly more consistent dappled sunlight) to maintain reasonable health. Consistently less than this makes growing grass successfully very difficult.

Conclusion

A shady site doesn’t have to mean a lawn is off-limits. By choosing the right turf, preparing your site and planning your layout, you give yourself the best chance of a successful shaded lawn.

Want more guidance? Call us on 1800 622 455 to chat with an expert or get a free quote.

Best Shade-Tolerant Grass FAQs

How do shaded lawns handle foot traffic?

Low-light lawns, even those featuring shade-tolerant grass types, generally handle foot traffic less effectively than those grown in full sun. Reduced sunlight means less energy for growth and repair, so it’s a good idea to avoid high traffic or activity in shadier zones.

How much light is really needed for shade-tolerant grass to grow?

The amount of light needed can vary depending on several factors, including the specific shade-tolerant grass type, the intensity of the light (e.g., morning sun vs. harsh afternoon sun), and overall lawn health. While some shade-tolerant varieties like Sir Walter Buffalo can manage with as little as 3-4 hours of sunlight or steady filtered/partial sunlight, most will perform better with a bit more. Be realistic about your light levels – no grass can flourish in full, constant shade.

Do shaded lawns need extra nutrients or different soil?

Turf living with significant shade can sometimes benefit from extra nutrients, but it’s more about balanced feeding rather than simply adding more fertiliser. Because growth is slower in shade, over-fertilising can be detrimental. Good soil preparation is key; a well-draining soil, perhaps amended with organic matter if it’s heavy clay or very sandy soil, helps roots thrive. Consider a soil test to check for any deficiencies. Always follow expert advice for fertilising shade-tolerant lawns.

How shade-tolerant are Zoysia grasses?

Zoysias are known for developing good shade tolerance, making them a popular choice for tricky lawns. While common varieties like Empire Zoysia can struggle to maintain density in lower light, Sir Grange Zoysia is the standout performer for long-term shade resilience once fully established. Initial sun exposure during the first few months is essential for developing the strong, deep root system required to later thrive with limited sunlight.

How do I manage weeds in shady areas?

Weeds can more easily gain a foothold in shaded lawns due to thinner grass. Maintaining a healthy lawn is the best defence: mow slightly higher in shade, water carefully to avoid constant dampness, and feed appropriately without overdoing it. Address existing weeds promptly through hand-pulling or careful spot-spraying with a suitable herbicide, particularly during spring and summer.

Are native grasses a good option for shady lawns?

Australian native grasses such as the Lomandra species (native to all Australia except Western Australia and the Northern Territory) and Kangaroo Grass (endemic to South Australia) are well-adapted locally, support fauna, and suit low-maintenance garden beds, with some tolerating shade.

However, for covering larger areas where a dense, resilient lawn is needed, specially bred shade-tolerant turf varieties are generally the better option. Native grasses typically have coarser blades and grow in clumps rather than spreading laterally. If you’re after a soft, consistent lawn that can handle foot traffic, a dedicated turf grass species is the way to go.