KSU Turfgrass Information Pages > Ornamental Grasses >Buchloe dactyloides

Buffalo grass, Buchloe dactyloides

Buffalo Grass

Full Sun, Native, Warm-season

Buffalo grass is a prairie native that can be used as an alternative to typical turfgrasses or groundcovers for a natural look.  It has a light green color and fine texture.  It prefers full sun and should not be planted in sandy or wet areas.  As a warm-season grass, it takes longer to green up in the spring, flourishes in the hot summer heat, and will turn brown after the first frost.  It spreads by stolons (runners), and the pictures show how it fills in an area relatively quickly.  It did very well its first season in the trial.

The patch of Buffalo grass filled in nicely during the second year.  It was never mowed or trimmed yet it maintained a reasonable height all season. 

 

 

Advertised Height

Advertised Zone

4-8”

4

 

 

Year

Height/Width
Year 1
6”/10”
Year 2
6”/18”

 

Date

Pictures

June 2007

 

Buffalo Grass

September 2007
Buffalo Grass
February 2008
Buffalo Grass
September 2008
Buffalo Grass
September 2009
Buchloe dactyloides
September 2009
Buchloe dactyloides
November 2009
Buchloe dactyloides