Which Lawn Turf? A Comparative Guide to Couch, Kikuyu, and Buffalo

Installing a new lawn is a big decision and a major investment, but many of our clients are unsure about which turf to select for their reinvigorated lawn. In this article we compare three popular types of lawn turf and look at their respective pros and cons.

Couch

Couch grass is a warm-season turf prized for its resilience and relatively rapid growth. Let's explore some pros and cons:

Pros

• Look and feel. The fine, soft blades of Couch grass make it comfortable for sitting, playing, and pets.
• Drought Tolerance: Couch grass exhibits excellent drought tolerance once established, and can handle quite hot temperatures. This makes it well-suited to Perth’s hot and dry climates.
• Fast Growth: Couch grass grows vigorously, quickly filling bare patches and establishing a dense turf. This is one of the reasons that Couch grass is one of the most popular types of grass in Australia.
• High Wear Resistance: Despite its soft and fine leaf style, its dense growth and strong root system mean that Couch grass can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it suitable for active outdoor areas.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, Couch grass requires minimal maintenance. Regular mowing and occasional fertilisation is all your should need. It can be mowed to almost any height, making it quite versatile for various lawn styles.

Cons

• Invasive: Couch grass has quite aggressive spreading tendencies, which can make it challenging to contain within designated lawn areas.
• Winter Dormancy: In cooler climates, Couch grass may enter a period of dormancy during the winter months, turning brown until temperatures warm up again in spring. This isn’t usually a problem in Perth with its temperate climate.
• Requires Full Sun: Couch grass performs best in full sun and can struggle in shaded areas that have limited sunlight.
• Susceptible to Pests and Diseases. Compared to other varieties, Couch can be a little more susceptible to disease and weed infestation.

Kikuyu

Kikuyu is another warm-season grass known for its rapid growth and good resilience. Here are some of its key characteristics:

Pros

• Rapid Establishment: Kikuyu grass establishes quickly, with deep roots and a dense turf that can outcompete weeds and resist erosion.
• Tolerant of Foot Traffic: Like Couch grass, Kikuyu is hardy and durable, with excellent wear resistance. It recovers relatively quickly from damage, which is great for active yards and high-traffic areas such as sports fields and playgrounds.
• Adaptable to Various Soil Types: Kikuyu grass thrives in a wide range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils, as long as they are well-draining.
• Moderate Maintenance: Kikuyu grass requires regular mowing and occasional fertilization

Cons

• Invasive: As with Couch grass, Kikuyu spreads fast when left to its own devices, and can be invasive - encroaching on surrounding garden beds or paved areas if not properly contained.
• Limited Cold Tolerance: Kikuyu grass is sensitive to frost and may suffer damage in colder climates, requiring overseeding or re-establishment in spring. Again, this is unlikely to represent an issue in our Perth climate.
• Prone To Thatch: Without proper maintenance, Kikuyu grass can develop a thatch layer, which may impede water and nutrient uptake and require dethatching.

Buffalo

Palmetto buffalo grass is a warm-season turf prized for its lush, soft texture and shade tolerance. Here are some of the relevant pros and cons for this variety:

Pros

• Low Maintenance: Palmetto requires minimal mowing and fertilization compared to some other turf varieties, thanks to its slower growth rate and dense growth habit.
• Drought Tolerance: While not quite as drought-tolerant as Couch or Kikuyu grass, Palmetto can withstand periods of dry weather as long as it receives proper irrigation and maintenance. Its deep roots allow it to be relatively efficient in its water consumption.
• Soft Texture: Palmetto grass has a soft, fine texture that feels comfortable underfoot, making it ideal for barefoot activities and outdoor relaxation areas.
• Shade Tolerance: Palmetto grass exhibits excellent shade tolerance compared to Couch and Kikuyu grasses, making it suitable for lawns with partial shade or dappled sunlight. While it can perform reasonably well in full sun, it requires only 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily. That is insufficient sunlight for many other grasses, which would struggle.

Cons

• Slower Establishment: Palmetto grass may take longer to establish compared to Couch and Kikuyu grasses, requiring patience during the initial growth phase.
• Limited Cold Tolerance: like Kikuyu, Palmetto grass is sensitive to frost and may suffer damage in colder climates, particularly during the harsh winters that Australia’s south eastern states can experience.
• Moderate Wear Resistance: While Palmetto grass can tolerate light foot traffic, it may struggle to withstand heavy wear as well as Couch or Kikuyu grasses would, making it less suitable for active play or high-traffic areas.
• Higher cost. Couch and Kikuyu tend to be similarly priced, while Buffalo is typically around 30-40% higher in price.
  

Summary

The following table outlines some of the relevant criteria in choosing a lawn turf. Have a look at how Couch, Kikuyu, and Buffalo compare.

Conclusion

Your selection of the perfect turf for your lawn depends on a number of factors, including sunlight exposure, maintenance preferences, and how you intend to use your lawn.

If you're after a resilient, fast-growing turf for sunny areas, Couch or Kikuyu grass may be ideal choices. Alternatively, if you have shaded areas or prefer a softer texture, Palmetto buffalo grass might be the best fit - but expect to pay around a third more.

Crafted Gardens and Landscaping have years of experience installing and caring for beautiful lawns in Perth’s unique climate. Call us today for an obligation-free quote.