What Grass Grows In Shade, and How Do I Grow It?

When it comes to growing grass, shade can present some challenges. Low sunlight levels, compacted soil and cooler temperatures create a tough environment for grass to thrive. But there is hope for those shaded corners of your yard.

After years of trying, I finally have grass growing under the shade of a huge tree canopy in my front yard. If you’re ready to conquer the challenge of growing grass in the shade, read on for expert tips from two industry pros — Joe Churchill from Reinders and Osmar Castillero from Blades Landscaping Services.

How Does Grass Grow in Shade?

All grass needs sunlight to grow, but in varying amounts and strengths depending on the plant species. Most grass needs six to eight hours of sunlight each day, while more shade-tolerant species can survive on four to six hours. “As long as your shady spots get four hours of sunlight a day, you should be able to grow certain types of grass,” Castillero says.

If your lawn does not get at least four hours of sunlight, “That’s where you throw in the towel on grass and look at ground covers and non-grass vegetation that does much better in low light than even the most shade-tolerant turfgrass,” Churchill says.

Grass that does not receive enough sun will grow thin and sparse as it strains to reach the light. It’s also more prone to disease and insect damage. However, there are benefits that come with a partially shady situation, too. “It keeps the grass from drying out too quickly,” Churchill says. “In a drought cycle, quite often, the best-looking grass is in the shade because it’s protected from the heat and the baking of the sun.”

What Types of Grass Grow in the Shade?

Shade-tolerant grasses differ from their sun-loving counterparts in some important ways. Unlike broadleaf grasses, shade-tolerant grasses typically have a narrow, upright leaf structure that captures sunlight more efficiently.

They also require less light to grow and thrive. “Grass that grows well in shade is extremely efficient at photosynthesis, the chlorophyll-producing process that triggers growth in organisms including grass, plants and trees,” Churchill says.

Among shade-tolerant species are also more shade-tolerant varieties. “The key to improving grass cover in shade is to [choose] not only species that are shade-tolerant, but even within the species, there are varieties that are more shade-loving than others,” says Churchill.

The best shade-tolerant grasses can survive with four to six hours of sunlight.

Warm-climate, Shade-Tolerant Grass Types

St. Augustine

Opt for a shade-tolerant strain of this warm-climate grass like Seville or Citrablue. St. Augustine grass is slow-growing, so use a low-nitrogen fertilizer to avoid overfeeding. Keep this grass long when mowing and take care not to overwater it.

Zoysia

This hardy, adaptable, warm-weather grass prefers the sun but can do well in shady conditions. Zoysia japonica and Zoysia matrella are the most shade-tolerant varieties. Aerate and improve soil drainage, then be patient. Zoysia grass can take months to fully establish in shady areas. Due to its thick growth patterns, avoid overseeding.

Other options for warm climates include:

• Bahia grass
• Carpetgrass
• Bermudagrass
• Feather reed
• Karl foerster
• Centipede

Cold-climate, Shade-Tolerant Grass Types

Fine fescue

Fine fescue grasses are a very shade-tolerant cold-climate variety. Do not overwater and let fine fescue grass grow a little longer than sunny parts of your lawn. Longer blades mean more chlorophyll activity. Shade-tolerant varieties include Chewings, Hard and Red fescue.

Perennial ryegrass

This shade-tolerant, cold-climate grass germinates and grows quickly. It needs at least four (preferably six) hours of sun to thrive and frequent watering during hot summer months. Perennial ryegrass goes dormant in extreme hot and cold temperatures.

Other options for cool climates include:

• Bentgrass
• Kentucky bluegrass
• Mondo
• Monkey
• Tall fescue

What Types of Grass Don’t Grow in Shade?

Sun-loving grasses that require six to eight hours of sunlight do not perform well in shade. Grass with broad leaves and a spreading habit requires lots of energy from the sun, so you should avoid planting these grasses in the shade.

Here’s the list:

• Lemon
• Buffalo
• Fountain
• Maiden
• Mexican feather
• Pampas
• Kikuyu
• Zebra

How to Grow Grass in Shade

Even with shade-tolerant grass, there are some additional tasks to improve success.

• Raise the tree canopy: If the shade is from a tree, Churchill suggests raising the tree canopy, or removing lower branches to increase sunlight.
• Overseed: Churchill also suggests overseeding (adding grass seed to an existing lawn) or reseeding (replanting grass seed) under trees to enhance density.
• Aerate: If the shade is from a building or structure, the grass will likely stay moist longer and not require much water at all since it’s getting so little sunlight. Aerating the soil will improve air circulation and dry the soil.
• Fertilize carefully: Be careful with adding nitrogen to grasses growing in the shade. “Plants can easily become overwhelmed by too much fertilizer, especially in the shade,” Castillero says.
• Don’t overwater: Shaded areas stay wet longer without the help of the sun, so do not require as much water. “Don’t assume that shaded parts of your lawn need as much water as the rest of your lawn,” Castillero says.

FAQ

What grass grows fastest in shade?

Zoysia grows fastest in shade for warm climates and tall fescue in cooler zones.

Are there shade-tolerant grasses that don’t like sun?

Perennial ryegrass cannot tolerate hot, sunny days. It needs mild temperatures to stay green.

About the Experts

• Joe Churchill is a Senior Turf Specialist with Wisconsin-based Reinders, a major distributor of lawn care products in the Midwest. He has over 25 years of experience in the turfgrass industry, is certified in Turfgrass Management with a B.A. in Geography and Horticulture from the University of Minnesota.
• Osmar Castillero is the owner of Blades Landscaping Services, a lawn care and maintenance company in Lowell, Massachusetts. He has over ten years experience in the industry.

Sources

• The Lawn Institute: Grass Selection