In the United States, buffalograss is usually the better candidate for a sunny, lower-input lawn in a suitable Great Plains climate. St. Augustinegrass is a different warm-season grass used in warmer regions, including parts of the southeastern United States, and some cultivars tolerate partial shade. Climate, sunlight and intended use should decide this comparison before appearance or price.
First, check what “buffalo grass” means
This comparison uses North American buffalograss, Bouteloua dactyloides, also called Buchloë dactyloides. St. Augustinegrass is Stenotaphrum secundatum. In Australia, “buffalo grass” commonly refers to St. Augustinegrass itself, so those labels may describe the same species there. Ask the supplier for the botanical name and cultivar.
Compare the site requirements
| Question | North American buffalograss | St. Augustinegrass |
|---|---|---|
| Where is it a candidate? | Sunny sites in an appropriate regional climate; especially associated with the Great Plains | Warm regions with winters suitable for the chosen cultivar |
| What does it look like? | Fine-textured, relatively low-growing turf | Broader, coarser leaf blades |
| How is it established? | Seed, plugs or sod, depending on the cultivar | Normally sod, plugs or sprigs |
| What about shade? | A poor choice for substantially shaded lawns | Some partial-shade tolerance; cultivar matters |
| What about winter? | Seasonal brown dormancy is normal | Cold injury can limit where it succeeds |
Do not buy either grass on the assumption that “warm-season” means it will survive every winter. Ask a local extension office or a reputable regional turf supplier which cultivars perform reliably at your location.
Water savings depend on establishment and expectations
Colorado State Extension’s buffalograss guide emphasizes that new seed, plugs and sod need establishment water. An established lawn may survive drought by becoming dormant, but survival is different from keeping it continuously green. Weed invasion can still be a problem.
Before converting a lawn, decide whether seasonal brown grass is acceptable and whether you can water during establishment. A low-water lawn that must remain green through every dry spell will have a different maintenance budget from one allowed to go dormant.
Do not apply a universal weekly irrigation amount to both species. Rainfall, rooting depth, soil and season change the requirement. Check the root zone and regional recommendations rather than watering simply because a calendar says to.
Shade, soil and wear can rule out a choice
Clemson Extension describes St. Augustinegrass as spreading by above-ground stolons and having useful shade tolerance, with important cultivar differences. Heavy shade is still unsuitable. It does not spread through underground rhizomes, and commercial lawns are not renewed by annual reseeding.
Buffalograss does not require sandy soil. Colorado State’s species-selection guidance includes its tolerance of several soil textures. Extremely dry sand can make water management harder; poor drainage and compaction also deserve attention before planting any lawn.
For a repeatedly worn dog run, play route or narrow access strip, neither name guarantees a durable surface. Consider a path through the most heavily used area instead of repeatedly replacing damaged turf. Buffalograss is particularly unsuitable for concentrated, constant traffic, according to Colorado State.
Maintenance and the purchase decision
Get a soil test and use a local, species-specific maintenance plan. More fertilizer does not automatically produce a better lawn, and it can encourage unwanted growth. Choose mowing height for the cultivar and conditions; do not use one fixed height or fertilization interval for both grasses.
Compare the full conversion cost: preparation, plant material, establishment water, weed management and ongoing care. A cheaper bag of seed is not equivalent to an established lawn, while sod still needs correct installation and rooting time.
Choose buffalograss when the sunny site, climate and tolerance for dormancy fit its strengths. Consider St. Augustinegrass where local conditions and the selected cultivar support it. If your real choice is between two southeastern lawn species, see the separate St. Augustine versus centipede comparison.
