Drought-Resistant Lawn: Grass and Practice Choices
Quick Answer
A drought-resistant lawn combines a low-water grass species — like Buffalo grass or Bermuda grass — with deep, infrequent watering practice that trains roots to grow deeper and hold up better between waterings.
Choosing a Drought-Tolerant Grass Species
- Buffalo grass: a native prairie grass built specifically for low-water conditions
- Bermuda grass: deep root system, handles heat and drought well once established — see our Bermuda grass care guide
- Zoysia grass: dense and reasonably drought-tolerant, though slower to establish than Bermuda
See our full grass type identification guide for a species-by-species comparison.
Watering Practice Matters As Much As Species
Train roots to go deeper
Deep, infrequent watering — rather than daily light watering — encourages roots to grow downward in search of moisture, which builds drought tolerance in almost any grass type over a season or two. See our watering frequency guide for the specifics.
Soil's Role in Drought Tolerance
Healthy soil with good organic matter holds moisture longer between waterings than compacted or sandy soil. Aeration for compacted soil and topdressing with compost both improve a lawn's ability to retain water — see our aeration guide for compaction relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo grass and Bermuda grass are among the most drought-tolerant common lawn grasses, thanks to deep root systems developed over a full growing season.