Choosing the Right Lawn Seed: A Guide for New and Existing Lawns
Trying to identify your existing lawn? Or picking seed for a brand new one?
This guide covers both. If you already have a lawn, scroll down to match its look to one of the grass types below. If you're starting from scratch, skip ahead to find the best seed for your sun exposure, location, and how the space gets used. Either way, you'll land on the right seed for your project.
What Type of Lawn Do You Have?
Buffalo
- What it looks like: Wide, broad flat leaves with thick, above ground runners.
- Best for: Full sun, high traffic lawns, drought tolerance
- Type: Warm season variety.
- Important Note: Real Buffalo grass is a turf-only variety and cannot be grown from seed. If you want to repair or thicken an existing Buffalo lawn without buying expensive turf rolls, Kikuyu is the most practical seed alternative due to its similar growth habit and broad leaf appearance.
Kikuyu
- What it looks like: Medium width leaf, dense, bright green, and fast-growing.
- Best for: High traffic lawns, dogs, kids, and full sun, super drought tolerant.
- Type: Warm season variety.
Couch
- What it looks like: Very fine, dense leaf that creates a tight, carpet-like lawn.
- Best for: Finer look, low mown lawns with full sun exposure and high heat resistance.
- Type: Warm season variety.
Shop Royal Bengal Couch | Shop Turbocote Couch
Perennial Ryegrass
- What it looks like: Fine blade with a deep, dark green finish and soft underfoot. Vertical growth.
- Best for: Rapid germination, quick repair, and lush winter colour.
- Type: Cool season variety.
Shop Home Run LS 100% Perennial Ryegrass
Tall Fescue
- What it looks like: Broader leaf blade with strong vertical growth and an intense dark green colour.
- Best for: Cooler regions needing superior drought tolerance once established.
- Type: Cool season variety.
Shop Defiant XRE 100% Tall Fescue
Fine Fescue (Sun & Shade Blend)
- What it looks like: Fine, soft, delicate leaf blades.
- Best for: Lawns receiving mixed sun and heavy shade, or areas under broad trees.
- Type: Cool season blend of varieties.
Cool Season vs. Warm Season Lawns
Understanding how your lawn responds to weather makes maintenance much easier:
-
Cool Season Grasses (Ryegrass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue) perform best in moderate temperatures, thriving during spring and autumn. They stay green year-round in milder climates but require supplementary summer watering during extreme dry heat.
-
Warm Season Grasses (Kikuyu, Couch) thrive in hot, dry weather and excel at self repairing. They slow down or go dormant (browning slightly) during frost and cold winter months in southern regions.
Where Do You Live?
Your geography dictates the best sowing window and grass performance:
-
Southern Australia (VIC, SA, Southern NSW, Southern WA, TAS):
- Cool-Season: Best sown in Spring and Autumn (can be sown year-round with adequate summer irrigation).
- Warm-Season: Sow during the warmest months (October to February).
-
Northern Australia (QLD, Northern NSW, Northern WA, NT):
-
Warm-Season: Best sown from September to April, or during the wet season when temperatures and moisture remain consistently high.
-
Looking for seasonal maintenance tips? Check out our Spring Lawn Care Recommendations page to see what your yard needs this season.
Starting a New Lawn from Scratch?
If you don't have an existing lawn to match, choose your seed based on your yard's conditions and how you use the space:
-
Sunny & Hard-Wearing (Kids, Pets, Full Sun):
-
Cool Climate & Quick Establishment:
-
Variable Light & Shade:
Still Not Sure Which Seed to Choose?
We are here to help. Send us a clear photo of your lawn or yard area, and our team will identify your grass type and recommend the exact seed for your project.
