The three grasses compared
| St. Augustine (Floratam) | Zoysia | Bahia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Floratam is coarse-textured and dark green | A very dense ground cover when properly managed | Not a carpet-like, dense lawn; seed heads, especially in the long days of summer |
| Sun and shade | Floratam does not persist well with less than 6 hours of sun a day; certain cultivars have better shade tolerance | Good shade tolerance, varying by cultivar | Not covered here |
| Traffic and salt | Not covered here | Good tolerance to salt and traffic | Not covered here |
| Water and soil | Not covered here | Adapted to a variety of soil types | Does well with limited water; deep roots; persists better than other grasses in infertile, sandy soils |
| Watch for | Chinch bugs are now a major pest of Floratam | Its upkeep is different from other Florida lawn grasses | Turns brown in long droughts until it can regrow |
| UF/IFAS calls it | The most commonly used lawn grass in Florida | Dense enough to resist weed invasion when properly managed | A good choice for large lots or acreage |
“Not covered here” means the publication we used for that grass does not say, so this page does not either.
St. Augustine: the common Florida lawn
Floratam is the most widely produced and used St. Augustinegrass in Florida. It grows vigorously in spring and summer. It needs sun: UF/IFAS says it does not persist well with less than 6 hours of sunlight a day, so a yard under big oaks may suit another cultivar or another grass. Chinch bugs are now a major pest of Floratam, so ask what killed the old lawn before you replace it with the same grass.
Zoysia: shade, salt and traffic
UF/IFAS says zoysiagrasses are adapted to a variety of soil types and have good tolerance to shade, salt and traffic; how much shade a zoysia takes varies by cultivar. When properly managed, they produce a very dense ground cover that resists weed invasion. Its upkeep differs from other Florida lawn grasses, so ask how it should be mowed and watered before you choose it.
Bahia: low upkeep, larger lots
UF/IFAS calls bahiagrass a low-maintenance lawn grass that does well with limited water. It forms an extensive, deep root system and persists better than other grasses in infertile, sandy soils, which makes it a good choice for large lots or acreage. The trade-off is the look: it does not make a carpet-like, dense lawn, and it puts up seed heads in summer. In a long drought it goes dormant and turns brown until conditions favor regrowth.
Three questions that narrow it down
- How many hours of direct sun does the lawn get? With less than 6 hours, Floratam is a poor fit.
- Is it a play yard or a show lawn? Zoysia takes traffic; bahia gives up looks for low upkeep.
- How big is it? UF/IFAS points bahia at large lots and acreage.
The grass also changes the price. Published price ranges by grass.
Sources
- UF/IFAS Extension, ENH5, “St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns” (read October 21, 2026)
- UF/IFAS Extension, ENH11, “Zoysiagrass for Florida Lawns” (read September 24, 2026)
- UF/IFAS Extension, ENH6, “Bahiagrass for Florida Lawns” (read September 24, 2026)