Buffalo Grass — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Bouteloua dactyloides |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 14–21 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–23.9 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 90–120 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| Mature height (cm) | 10.2–20.3 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 30.5–61 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Sow cold-treated seed in full sun after soil warms to 65°F in lean, clay to loam, alkaline to neutral soil; buffalograss is the most drought-tolerant of the true lawn grasses, the historical turf of the Great Plains that once covered millions of acres, and it requires one-tenth the water of Kentucky bluegrass. The soft, curly, blue-green blades stay short (3–5 inches) without mowing and go dormant tan in winter. It establishes slowly from seed (use plugs or sod for faster coverage) and will not tolerate acidic soil, heavy shade, or heavy foot traffic. It is dioecious — plant a mix of male and female seed or use non-seeding cultivars for a tidier appearance.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0