All You Need to Know About Argentine Bahiagrass

Kenneth Wilson

Renowned for its high drought and heat tolerance, Bahiagrass is popular in southeastern lawns. This region is considered the most ideal for Bahiagrass varieties, giving homeowners a durable, low-maintenance turfgrass.

In particular, the Argentine Bahiagrass variety is ideal for Southern Coastal Plain and Gulf Coast lawns. It has a more delicate texture and darker color than its cousins, offering an attractive coastal yard.

Argentine Bahiagrass Seed


Here's a quick rundown of what to expect with Argentine Bahiagrass Seed.

  • It is a warm-season grass
  • This seed prefers total sun exposure
  • It is tolerant of heat and drought
  • It is suitable for deep south and gulf coast lawns
  • It is relatively low maintenance, as it has low water and nutrient requirements

The Argentine Bahiagrass is highly sun and drought tolerant, so it thrives in lawns with eight (or more) hours of sun exposure daily. Experts recommend planting this grass seed in the early spring so that you can see results within 7 to 21 days.

Ideal Application or Use

Lawn, Pasture, Ground Cover, Cattle Forage, Livestock Grazing

Average Germination Time

21-30 days given optimal conditions

Ideal Growing Locations

Warm Season Zone (80º and 95º F)

Average Height

Lawn - 3 to 5 inches

Sunlight Exposure

8+ hours and total sun exposure to ensure the best results

Recommended Planting Time

Spring and Summer when nighttime temperatures are consistently more than 65 degrees (3 months before the first frost)

Argentine Bahiagrass Characteristics


The Bahiagrass seed is known to germinate gradually but establishes itself well, so homeowners can reap the benefits of starting a lawn from seed. Since it has a naturally open growth nature, it can be susceptible to weeds in its growth and development stages. Its slow, steady growth is partly due to the stolons or short, above-ground stems. These roots at short intervals but form a dense, all-purpose turf once it matures.

Like Zoysia grass and other warm-season grasses, Argentine Bahiagrass takes on a consistent green color during its active growth period. During dormancy, the grass will take on a dark, tan color. It is suitable for extensive lawns with limited irrigation access and homeowners who prefer minimal lawn maintenance. (Related: 6 Best Types Of Florida Grass And Expert Maintenance Tips)

If you want to maintain a green lawn all year round, you may overseed the Bahiagrass in the autumn with cool-season ryegrass.

Planting Argentine Bahiagrass


Depending on your time and budget, you can choose to either plant seed or sod for your new Argentine Bahiagrass lawn (dark green). Start by loosening up the soil before spreading the Argentine Bahiagrass seed with a broadcast spreader. Ensure to follow the spreader setting on the product label. (Related: The 6 Best Grass Seeds to Consider for Sandy Soil)

Avoid putting too much seed, as this may only lead to weak seedlings. They may soon die if they cannot get the proper resources they need to develop and thrive.

  • For new lawns (5 to 10 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.): Once you’ve completed seeding, apply 5 to 10 lbs. of slow-release fertilizer to cover 1,000 sq. ft. of your lawn during the late spring, summer, and early fall. Do this annually for the first two years. If you already have an established lawn, you can apply 5 lbs. to cover 1000 sq. ft. at least twice a year (mid-summer and late summer).
  • Overseeding (2 to 5 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.): Start by getting rid of any unwanted vegetation on your lawn and spread the bare spots with seed, which you can do by hand or using a spreader. Lightly rake your yard and ensure the seed doesn't have a depth of more than ¼ inches.

Argentine Bahiagrass Care and Maintenance


  • Ideal Planting Conditions: Full Sun
  • pH level: 5.5 to 6.5
  • Mowing: Yes
  • Grazing: Yes
  • Watering Requirements: One inch of water per week to establish. Once established, rainfall should be sufficient

This heat and drought-tolerant Bahiagrass variety fits harsh soil conditions, which may cause other grass types to die and shrivel up. Ideally, ensure that this turfgrass receives sufficient sunshine and high humidity on your lawn. This is an ideal climate for Argentine Bahiagrass.

To keep the Argentine Bahiagrass lush and lovely, avoid overwatering your lawn as this may only weaken the grass. When mowing, ensure that the blades are mowed to about two to three inches. Thicker blades may put a toll on poor-quality mowers.

  • Sun exposure ─ Since Argentine Bahiagrass is suitable for southern climates, it thrives under total sun exposure. It may struggle to succeed in shaded areas.
  • Soil varieties and soil pH â”€ Fortunately, Argentine Bahiagrass thrives in different soil varieties– even in poor, sandy soils with insufficient nutrients. Its recommended soil pH condition is acidic, as neutral or alkaline soil may only result in iron deficiency problems.
  • Watering â”€ The Argentine Bahiagrass variety is notably drought-tolerant thanks to its deep, wide-spreading roots. It has minimal water requirements, so it doesn’t need frequent irrigation. Overwatering your Bahiagrass lawn may only weaken the developing grass.
  • Ideal temperature and humidity ─ Another good thing about Argentine Bahiagrass is that it is highly tolerant of extreme conditions, even heat. This grass type doesn't need too much watering, as high humidity levels provide adequate moisture that allows the grass to thrive. That said, the South and Gulf coast areas serve ideal growing environments for this particular grass variety.
  • Fertilizer â”€ True to their low maintenance and easy care, Argentine Bahiagrass lawns only have low fertilizer requirements. Ensure to do a soil test before introducing any fertilizer to the grass. If the results suggest other lawn needs, you may need to choose the best fertilizer product for the situation. Avoid overfertilizing or adding unneeded fertilizer to your turfgrass, as it may only do more harm than good.

Sometimes, choosing attractive yet durable lawn grass in the deep South or the Gulf areas can be difficult. Homeowners with sandy, acidic soil may also have difficulty selecting a luscious lawn grass seed… but you can start by considering Argentine Bahiagrass. It is a popular Bahiagrass variety with easy maintenance and care and thrives even in poor soil conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


What is Bahiagrass?

Bahiagrass loves being under the sun and does not like to be in the cold or shade. It grows by stems that resemble roots or thick stolons. It doesn't spread quickly but grows into a thick carpet of grass. A Bahiagrass lawn is durable enough to withstand foot traffic but challenging to maintain (use a heavy-duty mower and regularly sharpen your blade). Compared to other warm-season grass, Bahiagrass does not tend to invade garden beds. Even better, it is tolerant of poor soil conditions and only requires less fertilizer.

How do I maintain a Bahiagrass lawn?

Starting in spring, Bahiagrass must be fed 2 to 4 times annually when it greens up through fall. If the soil has a pH higher than 7, feed it with iron products. Since the grass tends to create straggly seedheads, it will be best to mow it for about 2 -3 inches tall.

What are common Bahiagrass pests/diseases to be aware of?

Pests and diseases rarely affect Bahia grass. The mole cricket, which tunnels into the soil and damages roots, is the most significant pest threat. Except for dollar spot, which may leave areas all over the lawn many inches in diameter, very few diseases affect Bahiagrass lawns. When using commercial lawn products, carefully check the labels to ensure that they are not harmful to your Bahiagrass lawn.

What are the varieties of Bahiagrass?

Here are a few famous bahiagrass cultivars:

  • Pensacola Bahiagrass ─ This type has thin leaves and a broad, deep root system that increases its resistance to heat and cold. It can withstand winters better than other kinds.
  • Argentine Bahiagrass ─ This type of Bahia is commonly selected for aesthetic reasons since its blades are a darker green than those of other varieties.
  • Sand Mountain Bahiagrass ─ In the most northern areas of the recognized growing zones for this grass, "Sand Mountain" thrives better than other types due to its thin blades and cold tolerance.
Kenneth Wilson
July 23, 2022
2terra, Yard & Garden

Kenneth Wilson

Retired contractor. Currently residing in Southwest Florida. Now in semi-retirement, I write and manage this blog focused on helping home owners make savvy decisions when it comes to finding contractors and getting their projects done. I also operate remodeling design service for homeowners.

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