Species buffalo grass
Pink-green seed heads and green stems.

buffalo grass

Buchloe dactyloides

Buffalo Grass (Buchloe dactyloides) is an amazing and versatile grass species native to the Great Plains of North America. It has a light green colour, fine texture and is exceptionally drought tolerant, making it ideal for a wide variety of landscapes. This hardy grass thrives in a variety of environments and does not require regular mowing, making it a very low-maintenance option for lawns, pastures, and ground covers. Its extensive root system also helps in erosion control and soil stabilization. Buffalo Grass is environmentally friendly and requires very little water, fertilizer, or pesticides, making it an excellent choice for sustainable landscaping. Its beauty and toughness make it an exceptional choice for lawns, parks, and other outdoor spaces.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Stolon,Division,Vegetative Plugging

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Green Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Low

watering

Buffalo Grass (Buchloe dactyloides) should be watered once per week, deeply and slowly, providing around 1 inch of water each time. Start watering at the base of the plant, slowly and evenly, and wait until the top inch of soil is wet before moving on to the next area. This species does not require frequent watering, and to avoid fungal diseases, try to water during the cooler times of the day i.e. early morning and early evening. It is important to check the soil moisture around the base of the plant several times a week, and only water when the top few inches are dry. Always adjust the amount of water based on recent rainfall, temperature, and amount of sunlight.

sunlight

Buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) needs about 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth and health. It can also tolerate moderate shade but may not perform as well if grown in the shade. The best time to expose your plant to direct sunlight is during the morning, between 8am-10am, as this allows the plant to muster energy for the rest of the day but avoid afternoon sunlight during the hottest part of the day, where the sun’s intensity is highest (from 12pm-4pm), as this can potentially harm your plant.

pruning

Buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) should not be pruned too much or too often. Pruning should only be done during the fall or early winter when the grass is dormant. Pruning should be done by removing no more than 1 third of the grass tops. This will encourage a healthy growth pattern in the spring. Pruning should also be done no lower than 3-4 inches, as this height helps to protect the grass from extreme temperatures. If too much of the grass is removed, especially during warm, dry periods, the grass may not recover from it.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Buffalo grass typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Buffalo grass typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map