Grass Type Picker
Choosing a new lawn? Tell us about sun, wear, climate and how much maintenance you want, and see which grass types suit.
Grass types that suit
Answer the four questions to see how each grass type fits.
How it works
The right grass for your yard depends on how much sun it gets, how hard it is used, your climate and how much work you want to put in. The picker compares your answers with the ratings on each grass type’s Lawn Library page.
Worked example
A Brisbane backyard with part shade, kids and a dog, and an owner who wants low maintenance: the picker favours grasses rated for part shade and good wear in the subtropical zone, and explains the trade-offs.
What you enter
- Climate zone
- Sun: full sun, part shade or shade
- Wear: light, moderate or heavy
- Maintenance you are happy with
What you get
- Grass types ranked by fit, with the reasons and trade-offs for each
Assumptions
- Ratings come from each grass type's Lawn Library page and its sources.
- Varieties within a grass type differ; ask your turf supplier about specific varieties.
Questions
Does the picker cover every variety?
No. It works at the grass type level (buffalo, couch, kikuyu, zoysia and so on). Varieties within a type can differ a lot in shade and wear tolerance.
What if nothing suits my shady yard?
Heavy shade is hard for any lawn grass. Consider reducing shade, or using mulch, pavers or shade-tolerant groundcovers in the darkest spots.