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What Grass Grows in Clay Soil?

Some varieties of grass do not grow well in soil with clay. Clay soil lumps together and tends to have drainage problems because it retains moisture. With the water trapped inside, it also takes longer to warm up than soil without clay in the colder parts of the country. The majority of the grasses that grow well in clay soil are of the cold-season variety. These include some of the most common lawn grasses.

  1. Redtop

    • Redtop is a perennial cool-season grass that grows well in loam or clay-loam soil. It thrives best in areas with full sun and at least a moderate amount of moisture. Redtop will grow as tall as 3 feet if left alone. It usually germinates in less than two weeks. A grass with a fine texture, it gets its name because it produces red seed heads during the summer. Redtop is considered very good as a ground cover. It is also commonly found in northern states on golf courses, play areas and slopes. This grass is not recommended for areas with plenty of shade.

    Buffalo Grass

    • Buffalo grass is commonly found in the Great Plains and is able to grow in soil containing clay. It also thrives in areas that receive limited amounts of rain, making it one of the more drought-tolerant grasses. Named for being a favorite source of food for herds of buffalo, it can tolerate extreme hot and cold temperatures. Buffalo grass is a fine-texture perennial grass with a green color that makes for an attractive lawn. This grass requires little in the way of maintenance. It grows low to the ground and spreads out with surface runners.

    Tall Fescue

    • A cold-season grass found in all but the most southern areas of the country, tall fescue thrives best in clay soils with good drainage. It is a durable grass that can tolerate lots of foot traffic and grows under full sun or in shaded areas. Generally resistant to drought, fall fescue should be planted in the spring and fall, when it germinates quickly. Capable of being established from both seed and sod, it does not require a lot of maintenance. This makes it a good choice for sports fields in the northern and transitional states. Compared to other varieties of cold-season grasses, tall fescue remains green for a longer time in the fall.

    Ketuncky Bluegrass

    • Another cool-season grass found in most parts of the country, Kentucky bluegrass grows well in soil with high concentrations of clay. This is one of the most popular of the lawn grasses because of its attractive dark bluish-green color. Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun but will survive in shaded areas. It has a high tolerance for both cold and hot temperatures. Generally resistant to drought, it is often mixed with other grasses such as perennial rye grass. Its growth slows in the summer before accelerating again in the fall. This grass can be established from sod and seed. The best planting times are spring and fall.

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Growing Grass
  1. What Is Biennial Grass?
  2. What Kind of Grass Grows the Fullest?
  3. What Grass Seed Really Grows?
  4. What Is Five-Finger Grass?
  5. What Grass Grows Well in Clay & On a Hillside?
  6. What Effects Does Lime Have on Grass?
  7. Which Type of Grass Grows Best?
  8. What Grass Grows in Central Florida?
  9. What Do I Add to Clay Soil to Plant Grass?
  10. What to Do for Clay Soil to Plant Grass Seed
  11. How to Plant Grass in Clay
  12. What Soil Grows Soy Beans the Best?

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