The 5 Best Types of Grass for Lawns in Indiana

There are many different types of grass seed that you could plant in your lawn—but only a few are actually well suited for Indiana’s unique climate. Learn what grass types we recommend so that you can make the best choice for your lawn.

Cool-Season vs Warm-Season Grasses

When choosing grass seed, it is important to first understand the difference between cool- and warm-season grasses:

• As the name suggests, cool-season grasses are grasses that do well in cooler weather and are therefore better suited to areas that have a longer, harsher winter. Because of this, most of the grasses we recommend for Indiana are cool-season grasses, including Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass.
• Warm-season grasses do better in areas that have a hot summer, but milder winter, making these grasses only suitable for areas in southern Indiana. If you are considering a warm-season grass, we recommend zoysia grass.

Kentucky Bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass puts on a dark green turf with excellent wear resistance during the summer months. It has the reputation of being one of the best types of grass to have for a cool-season lawn. It is the most popular choice by far to plant around homes and other buildings in Indiana. It is recommended that you plant this type of grass in full sunlight. It grows well with low mowing and does not spread quickly, therefore requiring less maintenance than other grasses. Kentucky bluegrass can be seeded anytime throughout the year.

Fine Fescue

Fine fescue is also a common type of grass to have for lawns in Indiana due to its deep root system and ability to grow on bare soil, making it an excellent option for planting where other types of grass are unlikely to succeed. It needs full sunlight and can tolerate partial shade very well. This type of grass does best with 1-1/4 to 2 inches of water weekly. It has a slow spread rate and is commonly seeded in the fall or spring because it requires more frequent mowing than bluegrass or tall fescue.

Tall Fescue

Tall fescue is known for being extremely tough, disease-resistant, versatile, and able to tolerate dry conditions well, making it one of the most durable types of grasses and a great choice for areas with moderate foot traffic and lawn equipment use. It has excellent drought resistance and is also able to handle low maintenance levels while remaining a green color year-round.

Perennial Ryegrass

Perennial ryegrass is one of the best types of grass for quickly establishing a lawn from seed. It germinates and establishes itself faster than other grass varieties, though it is less tolerant to cold temperatures and wilts more easily. Perennial ryegrass grows well in areas where the soil stays cool, such as shady lawns, so it is more suited to the northern regions of the country.

Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass is one of the best types of grass for drought-tolerant, wear-resistant lawns. It has very deep roots that tap into subsoil water resources and can handle long periods without rain. Zoysia grass is also very heat tolerant and is able to germinate, establish itself, and spread rapidly during hot weather.

The downside to zoysia grass is that it’s not very cold-tolerant, making it suitable for only select areas in southern Indiana. It also has a coarse texture, meaning it won’t be as soft or plush as other types of turfgrasses. Instead, the blades are long and thin with sharp edges, so this type of grass is best suited for utility purposes.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Type of Grass for Your Lawn

There are many types of grass to choose from when planting a lawn, but finding the best type specific to your location is important if you want it to thrive. Grass is often divided into categories based on:

This can be a little overwhelming, so we recommend that you contact our knowledgeable team of local lawn technicians for a free consultation.