7 California Native Grasses to Replace Your Lawn

A few examples of California native grasses to replace your lawn are UC Verde buffalograss, California fescue, and purple needlegrass. Each one can make your Golden State lawn shine.

Although not all native grasses are turfgrasses, they can still be a great lawn replacement that your neighbors will envy. Native grasses require less maintenance and water and are better for your local environment than non-native grass, which is great for water-stressed states like California.

Want to grow native plants alongside your native grass? Check out these Native Plants for California.

1. Purple Needlegrass

What better native grass for your lawn than California’s official state grass? Purple needlegrass is a cool-season perennial grass that, despite its name, forms gorgeous green bunches. Even though it’s a bunch-type grass, it can work very well as ground cover for your lawn with its smooth texture. Purple needlegrass’ average height is around two to three feet.

Purple needlegrass’ deep roots make it very resistant to drought and extreme temperatures. It prefers full sun but can handle partial shade, and has moderate foot traffic tolerance. If you’re looking for a beautiful, hardy grass that looks great and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, this could be the grass type for you.

2. UC Verde Buffalograss

Another good grass type for your California lawn is the UC Verde variety of Buffalograss. While UC Verde technically isn’t a native grass, it was bred by the University of California and specifically designed for the conditions in the Golden State. Therefore, this is one of the best grass types for California.

UC Verde is a warm-season perennial grass that is low-maintenance, tolerates both foot traffic and drought very well, and likes full sun. It has a wonderfully soft texture and is great for homeowners in hot areas who are looking for a grass with a vibrant green color that can handle less-than-ideal conditions. UC Verde’s average height ranges from four to six inches.

3. California Fescue

California fescue is, as the name implies, a California-native variety of fescue grass. Unlike many other fescues that homeowners may be familiar with, California fescue is a bunch-type grass that doesn’t form a solid layer of turf. Even still, it works wonderfully as ground cover. Its blueish color is a beautiful alternative to a traditional green lawn.

Thanks to its low maintenance needs, high drought tolerance, and preference for full sun, California fescue is a great low-effort lawn, even if its low foot traffic tolerance leaves something to be desired. If you’re looking for a unique lawn that you don’t plan to spend a lot of time on, California fescue could be just what you’re looking for.

California fescue is a perennial cool-season grass that grows about one to four feet tall with a rough texture. It can spread by seed, tillering, and buds, so you shouldn’t have to worry about it creeping into your garden beds.

4. Seashore Bentgrass

If you’re a California resident, then you may already be familiar with seashore bentgrass, which is a perennial cool-season grass that commonly grows in populated areas. However, you might not know that it can be used as ground cover. 

Seashore bentgrass forms gorgeous, lush green bunches with a soft texture that look amazing in a domestic yard and give it the appearance of a rolling meadow. Bentgrass is also low-maintenance and very tolerant of drought and foot traffic, so if you want a beautiful lawn without the hassle, this could be the grass for you.

The average height of seashore bentgrass ranges from six to 24 inches, or half a foot to two feet. It likes full sun but can handle partial shade. Bentgrass spreads through stolons, to take care to prevent it from spreading to areas you don’t want it.

5. Deergrass

Deergrass, also called Meadow Muhly, is another California native bunchgrass that makes an excellent lawn replacement. Deergrass is a versatile perennial warm-season grass that can tolerate drought and is low-maintenance, though like California fescue, its tolerance for foot traffic isn’t the best. Deergrass grows three to five feet tall and spreads through rhizomes.

Deergrass grows best in sandy soil and likes full sun, though it’s flexible enough to grow in a variety of different soil types and can handle light shade. It has pleasant pale green blades with a hairy texture, and grows lovely yellow flowers in the spring. This grass type is suitable for homeowners who want an attractive lawn and are looking to help out their spring pollinators.

6. Blue Grama

Blue grama is a perennial warm-season grass that can grow as either a bunch-type grass or a turfgrass depending on the climate. In the north, it forms turf, but it grows in bunches in the south. In either climate, it works very well as a ground cover. Blue grama is also low-maintenance and tolerant of drought. It grows best in full sun.

Despite the name, blue grama has a vivid green color that looks beautiful in a lawn as well as a nice plush texture. This grass type grows ten to twenty inches tall and grows through prominent seed heads that look like eyebrows. If you want a grass that looks unique and beautiful, or if you live in Northern California and want a native turfgrass, consider Blue Grama.

7. Prairie Junegrass

Prairie Junegrass is another bunch-type grass native to California, and like many others, it has low maintenance requirements and can tolerate drought. It unfortunately doesn’t tolerate foot traffic as well as others, but it’s still a beautiful ground cover.

Prairie Junegrass is a cool-season perennial grass that has vibrant green blades with a fine texture, topped with light green leaves. In spring, it grows gorgeous flowers that your local pollinators will adore. Since it only spreads by seed, you don’t have to worry about it invading your garden beds. Prairie Junegrass grows to half a foot to two feet, and prefers full sun.

If you want a grass type that looks beautiful and unique, won’t spread, and if you don’t spend a lot of time out on the yard playing ball, this could be the best lawn for you.

FAQ About Native Grasses

Are non-native plants bad?

It depends on the plant, but speaking generally, no. Some non-native plants can be invasive and harm their new environment, but non-native plants are not inherently harmful. In fact, many non-native species can be beneficial to the ecosystem they’re introduced in.

What is the difference between grass and turfgrass?

Turfgrasses are the types of grass that are typically used for domestic lawns. They form a thick ground cover called turf that acts as a protective surface you can walk on. Non-turfgrasses don’t produce turf. While they can still act as ground cover, they don’t have the same carpet-like surface you’d get with a traditional lawn grass.

Are lawn grasses native to the United States?

Most lawn grasses are not native to the United States, or even most of North America. The turfgrasses typically used for lawns are primarily native to Europe and Asia. That’s not to say that there are no turfgrasses native to California and the United States, but they are outnumbered by bunch-type grasses and other grass types that don’t form thick turf.

Find Your Lawn Care Pros Now

Native grasses are a much better option than non-native. They grow better, are better for your environment, and look much nicer.

If you need lawn help, contact lawn care professionals near you. They can tend to your yard so that you have more time to enjoy the day.

Main Image Credit: The Marmont / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Austin Geiger

Austin Geiger is a lover of all things nature. He enjoys writing comprehensive, easy-to-swallow articles about pest management solutions, landscaping tips, and ways for people to help their local pollinators.

Posts by Austin Geiger