Buffalo
Stenotaphrum secundatum
A broad-leafed, warm-season grass that spreads by thick surface runners. It copes with some shade better than couch or kikuyu, but is sensitive to some herbicides.
Also called: Soft leaf buffalo, St Augustine grass, Sir Walter, Palmetto, Sapphire
- Type
- Warm-season grass
- Shade tolerance
- Medium
- Wear tolerance
- Medium
- Drought tolerance
- Medium
- Maintenance
- Medium
Short answer
Buffalo is a broad-leafed, warm-season lawn grass that spreads by thick runners above the ground. It handles some shade better than couch or kikuyu, but still needs at least 4 hours of direct sun a day. Mow it regularly without scalping, water deeply and less often, feed while it is growing, and use only weed killers whose label lists buffalo.
Overview
Buffalo is one of the most widely grown home lawns in Australia. Its broad leaves and surface runners make a dense, soft lawn that suits family yards, and it tolerates a little more shade than couch or kikuyu.
Two things catch buffalo owners out. First, it is sensitive to some herbicides: a weed killer that is fine on couch can damage buffalo, so the label has to list buffalo. Second, it is easy to mow too low, especially after a spring growth spurt, which leaves the lawn stressed and open to weeds.
Buffalo has no underground runners, so it is easier to keep out of garden beds than couch or kikuyu. Its thick surface runners can build up a spongy layer over time, which is why older buffalo lawns sometimes need renovating.
Suitability ratings on this page are general guidance; varieties differ, so ask your turf supplier about the variety that suits your yard. [CONFIRM: reviewer to confirm climate suitability ratings]
How to identify buffalo
- Leaves
- Broad, flat leaves with a rounded tip, noticeably wider than couch or kikuyu.
- Colour
- Mid to dark green, depending on variety and feeding.
- Growth
- Thick runners (stolons) creep across the surface and root at the joints. There are no underground runners.
- Seed heads
- Short, flat seed heads, not often noticed in a mown lawn.
- Feel
- Soft-leaf varieties feel soft and springy underfoot.
Climate suitability
| Climate zone | Suitability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical | Suited | Grows all year; watch for disease in the wet season. |
| Subtropical | Well suited | |
| Warm temperate | Well suited | |
| Temperate | Suited | Slows down and can lose colour over winter. |
| Cool and highland (including Tasmania) | Marginal | Long winter dormancy and frost. |
| Arid and inland | Suited | Needs reliable watering. |
Sun and shade: Medium shade tolerance
The Turf Growers Association of WA lists soft leaf buffalo as needing at least 4 hours of direct sun a day, the least of the four main warm-season grasses it covers.
Wear: Medium
Described by the Turf Growers Association of WA as having moderate to good wear and good recovery.
Drought: Medium
Described as drought tolerant by the Turf Growers Association of WA. Deep, less frequent watering helps.
Maintenance: Medium
Regular mowing in the growing season; runners are easier to keep out of garden beds than couch or kikuyu because there are no underground runners.
Mowing heights by season
| Season | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 15–20 mm | Soft leaf buffalo, Western Australian figures from the Turf Growers Association of WA and Water Corporation. |
| Winter | 15–20 mm | TGAWA gives a similar height in winter. |
Heights vary between varieties and between suppliers' guides, so check the guide for your variety. Mow higher in shade and during heat or drought, and never take off more than a third of the leaf at once. [CONFIRM: reviewer to confirm LawnMan's recommended mowing range for buffalo outside WA]
Feeding and watering
Fertilising
Feed while it is actively growing, from spring through to autumn, at the rate on the product label. Water in granular fertilisers. Avoid feeding a dormant lawn in winter in cooler zones.
Watering
Water deeply and less often once established, so roots grow down. Follow your local water rules, and use a catch-cup test to find out how long to run sprinklers.
Common weeds, pests and diseases in buffalo
Popular questions about buffalo
Guides
Lawn Journal reminders for buffalo
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Common questions
Is buffalo good in shade?
It handles some shade better than couch or kikuyu, but it still needs direct sun. The Turf Growers Association of WA lists at least 4 hours of direct sun a day for soft leaf buffalo. Deep shade thins any lawn grass.
Why can't I use any weed killer on buffalo?
Buffalo is more sensitive than other grasses to some herbicides. Only use a product whose label lists buffalo, and follow the label exactly.
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Who wrote this, and what it's based on
This page hasn't been reviewed by our technical reviewer yet [CONFIRM: reviewer]. Until it is, it isn't listed in search engines. How we write and review
Sources
- Turf varieties, Turf Growers Association of Western AustraliaSoft leaf buffalo: sunlight, wear, drought and mowing heights. Accessed 3 October 2026.
- Bring your brown lawn back to life, Water Corporation (Western Australia)Mowing height for soft leaf buffalo in WA. Accessed 4 October 2026.
- Relyon MCPA 750 Selective Herbicide label (APVMA e-label 81841), APVMA e-label registerLabel warning that buffalo is more easily damaged. Accessed 4 October 2026.
- Healthy Lawns: cutting off one-third of the grass blade, UC Statewide IPM Program, University of CaliforniaThe one-third mowing rule. Accessed 4 October 2026.