Why is my buffalo thinning out?
Quick answer
The usual causes are too little sun, mowing too low, wear on the same paths, hunger, dry or compacted soil, and lawn grubs eating the roots. Older buffalo can also build up a spongy layer of runners. Work out which applies: count the hours of sun, check your mowing height, look for grubs, and test whether water soaks in.
Why this happens
Thinning buffalo is usually telling you about its growing conditions. Work through the common causes in this order, because the first ones are the most common and the cheapest to fix.
Not enough sun. Buffalo copes with a little more shade than couch or kikuyu, but it still needs direct sun. The Turf Growers Association of WA lists at least 4 hours a day for soft leaf buffalo. Under trees, beside buildings and in narrow side passages it gradually thins, and no amount of fertiliser fixes a light problem.
Mowing too low. Short buffalo has less leaf to make energy. In shade especially, raise the mower.
Wear. Paths, play areas and the dog’s favourite run wear buffalo down faster than it can recover. Spread the traffic, or put in stepping stones.
Hunger. A lawn that isn’t fed in the growing season slowly thins and lets weeds in. Feed at the label rate while it’s actively growing.
Dry or compacted soil. If water runs off or doesn’t soak in, roots suffer. Test for water repellence, check sprinkler coverage, and core aerate compacted areas.
Lawn grubs. Grubs eat roots, so the lawn thins and then dies in patches that lift easily. Lift turf at the edge of thin patches to check.
Older buffalo lawns
Buffalo spreads with thick runners on the surface, and over the years they can build up into a spongy layer. Water and fertiliser struggle to get through, and the lawn looks tired. Renovation in the growing season, such as scarifying and topdressing, can help.
What you may be seeing
- Sparse grass with soil showing between runners
- Long, pale leaves stretching towards the light in shaded areas
- Worn tracks along paths and play areas
What you can do
Count the hours of sunCheck first
The Turf Growers Association of WA lists at least 4 hours of direct sun a day for soft leaf buffalo.
Check mowing heightCheck first
Mowing too low weakens buffalo. Raise it, especially in shade.
Check for grubsCheck first
Lift turf at thin patches and look for C-shaped grubs in the root zone.
Check water gets inCheck first
Do the water drop test for water-repellent soil.
Feed and aerate
Feed at the label rate in the growing season, and core aerate compacted areas.
Spread the wear
Move play equipment around and lay stepping stones on regular paths.
What not to do
- Feeding a shaded area harder; it needs light, not fertiliser.
- Mowing shaded buffalo at the same height as the sunny lawn.
How much do I need?
Place straight-sided containers around the zone, run it for a set time, then measure the depth of water in each with a ruler. How to do a catch-cup test
Run time for this zone
Enter at least two cup readings, the test time and the water you want to apply.
What's next
Related grass types, weeds, pests and diseases
Related questions
Related guides
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Sources
- Turf varieties, Turf Growers Association of Western AustraliaSoft leaf buffalo: at least 4 hours of direct sun daily. Accessed 3 October 2026.
- Healthy Lawns: cutting off one-third of the grass blade, UC Statewide IPM Program, University of CaliforniaMowing practice. Accessed 4 October 2026.
- Turf weed, pest and disease identification guide (poster), Bayer Environmental Science, hosted by Turf AustraliaLawn grub damage to roots. Accessed 3 October 2026.