The Best Grass Seed for Florida’s Lawns, Reviewed By Bob Vila

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Choose the best type of grass seed to keep your lawn looking lush all year round.

While grass dies out over the winter in most parts of the country, in Florida’s tropical and subtropical climate, home lawns can have beautiful green grass all year. Laying sod is an option, but growing a lawn from seed is a much more economical choice. 

With so many types of grass seed available, it can be difficult for shoppers to narrow down their options. These recommendations for the best grass seed for Florida lawns were selected for their quality formulas, versatility, and value. However, our best overall grass seed for Florida is the Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Bermudagrass. It comes with enough product for new lawn seeding or overseeding, maintains and grows grass in drought-prone areas, and prevents disease and browning thanks to its WaterSmart coating.

We also interviewed Kody Ketterling, founder and creator of the lawn and garden company K-IT Products in Twin Falls, Idaho, who shares his expertise on best practices for Florida lawns: “The choice of your grass can be determined by how much water and humidity they can take and if you have the proper drainage of water through the soils,” he says.

Keep reading to learn about the key features to consider when shopping, and then explore the top picks for the best grass seed products in today’s market.

1. BEST OVERALL: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Bermudagrass
2. RUNNER-UP: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Argentine Bahiagrass
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Sunday South Seed + Feed Natural Bermuda Grass Seed
4. BEST FOR MIXED LIGHT: Scotts Turf Builder Centipede Grass Seed & Mulch
5. BEST FOR FULL SUN: Pennington Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed & Mulch
6. BEST DROUGHT-TOLERANT: Pennington Pensacola Bahiagrass
7. BEST NATIVE GRASS: Everwilde Farms Buffalo Grass Native Grass Seeds

How We Chose the Best Grass Seed for Florida

Years of experience covering home and garden products as well as extensive product research went into creating this guide. We explored popular grass seed options for southern climates and weighed a number of practical considerations before making our recommendations. 

• Type: Since there are a variety of seed types suitable for different parts of Florida, we aimed to include a range of options to suit shoppers in various areas of the state. 
• Expert recommendations: We only included products with excellent user reviews to ensure the seeds performed well in real-world conditions. 
• Value: Since grass seed bags vary widely in quantity, we calculated the overall value for the cost for each of our recommendations. 

Our Top Picks

Knowing more about Florida lawn care and the turf’s soil requirements can help narrow the vast soil choices available. To make the search even easier, the following are some of the best grass seed options for northern, southern, or central Florida. 

Best Overall

Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Bermudagrass

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Product Specs 

• Available sizes: 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 40 pounds 
• New lawn seeding rate: 330 square feet/pound (sq. ft/lb)
• Overseeding rate: 1,000 sq. ft/lb

What We Like

• Tolerates high heat and droughtlike conditions
• Comes with the brand’s patented WaterSmart Plus coating for optimal water absorption and disease protection 
• Grows quickly; can germinate within 5 to 12 days of application

What We Don’t Like

• Not shade tolerant; needs a lot of sun exposure to thrive effectively

Bermuda grass tolerates high heat and droughtlike conditions and will grow in Florida’s warm climate. It has a fine texture that can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it perfect for high-traffic areas. The seeds are coated with WaterSmart Plus, which helps them absorb more water while protecting against disease. This grass grows best in full sunlight, so it may not be the best choice for shady areas.

This bag includes 8 pounds of seed—enough to cover up to 8,000 square feet—but smaller and larger quantities are also available. You can use this seed to plant a new lawn or to overseed an existing one. For the best results, apply the seed in late spring or early summer when the daily average soil temperatures are consistently between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit or the air temperatures are between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Get the Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass grass seed for Florida at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Target (4 pounds).

Runner-up

Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Argentine Bahiagrass

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Product Specs

• Available sizes: 5 and 10 pounds
• New lawn seeding rate: 330 sq. ft/5 lbs
• Overseeding rate: 1,000 sq. ft/5 lbs

What We Like

• Heat and drought tolerant; thrives in full sun
• Low-maintenance lawn seed once germinated; withstands foot traffic and stress 
• Can be used for new grass planting or reseeding; covers 330 to 1,000 square feet

What We Don’t Like

• Coarse blades; may not be ideal for some personal aesthetics

Those living in hot, sunny areas will want to consider this bag of Argentine Bahia grass seed from Scotts. While this type of grass requires full sun to grow, it has high drought resistance for growing in sandy soils and saving on supplemental watering. It requires consistent daily temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for seeds to germinate.

However, once it grows, this Bahia grass is incredibly easy to maintain: It establishes deep roots and tolerates stress well. The 5-pound bag reseeds up to 1,000 square feet and new lawn coverage of 330 square feet, offering a great value for the price. But, it also comes in a 10-pound bag. 

Get the Scotts Turf Builder Argentine Bahiagrass grass seed for Florida at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot (5 pounds).

Best Bang For The Buck

Sunday South Seed + Feed Natural Bermuda Grass Seed

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Product Specs 

• Available sizes: 10 pounds 
• New lawn seeding rate: N/A
• Overseeding rate: 1500 sq. ft/10 lbs

What We Like

• Thrives in intense sunlight and high temperatures; ideal for southern lawns
• Contains heat-resistant Bermudagrass seeds, perfect for all regions of Florida
• Designed to optimize southern soil health; enriched with organic matter and fertilizer

What We Don’t Like

• Designed for overseeding/refreshing existing lawns only

The Sunday South Seed + Feed Bermuda grass seed stands out as a value-driven choice for homeowners in Florida looking to enhance the durability and appearance of their lawns. Its blend of heat-resistant and resilient Bermudagrass seeds and a slow-release fertilizer offers a two-in-one solution that stimulates robust growth while minimizing the need for frequent upkeep. This product is tailored to thrive in full sun, making it exceptionally suitable for southern climates where intense heat and drought conditions are common.

What makes this product particularly valuable is its cost-effectiveness over time. The slow-release fertilizer included in the mix reduces the necessity for frequent fertilization, thereby saving time and money. While it is crafted more for revitalizing existing lawns than establishing new ones, its effectiveness in promoting deep-rooted growth ensures a lawn that is green and lush and more capable of withstanding environmental stresses. The Sunday South Seed + Feed seed offers an efficient and economical solution for maintaining a healthy and resilient lawn in challenging southern environments.

Get the Sunday grass seed for Florida at Lowe’s.

Scotts Turf Builder Centipede Grass Seed & Mulch

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Product Specs

• Available sizes: 5 pounds 
• New lawn seeding rate: 665 sq. ft./5 lbs
• Overseeding rate: 2,000 sq. ft./5 lbs

What We Like

• Thrives in sunny areas and light shade, making it ideal many landscape types
• Grows a thick, low-maintenance lawn, reducing the need for frequent watering, mowing, or fertilizing once established 
• Grass seed and mulch combo improves moisture retention, protects seeds during germination, and boosts growth success rates

What We Don’t Like

• Best for sandy and acidic soils; may require specific conditions not found everywhere

Scotts Turf Builder centipede grass seed is a popular choice among homeowners who want to cultivate a thick, low-maintenance lawn, particularly in sandy, acidic, and sunny environments. This product thrives in full sun and light shade, making it well suited for southern climates with abundant and intense sunlight.

The package combines grass seed and mulch, offering the convenience of simultaneous seeding and mulching. It promotes better moisture retention and seed protection, enhancing germination rates and initial growth stages. This makes it an excellent choice for establishing new lawns or revitalizing patchy areas in existing yards.

Get the Scotts Turf Builder centipede grass seed for Florida at Amazon.

Pennington Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed & Mulch

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Product Specs

• Available sizes: 5 pounds 
• New lawn seeding rate: 500 sq. ft./5 lbs
• Overseeding rate: 1,000 sq. ft./5 lbs

What We Like

• Known for its ability to withstand heat and drought conditions, making it an ideal choice for areas with intense sunlight and dry spells 
• Requires less watering and mowing once established compared to other grass types
• Creates an attractive, uniform lawn that can help suppress weeds

What We Don’t Like

• Zoysia grass seed is known for its slow germination and growth rate, which can be a drawback for those looking to establish a lawn quickly 

If you’re looking for a grass seed that thrives in areas with ample daily sunlight, Pennington Zenith zoysia grass seed may be the perfect choice. This type of grass is well known for its heat tolerance and can grow well in areas that receive more than 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

With a 5-pound bag of Pennington, you can cover up to 1,000 square feet if you’re overseeding or 500 square feet if you’re planting a new lawn. Zoysia is a dense and low-maintenance turf that looks great and can withstand high temperatures and intense sunshine without compromising its health or appearance.

However, keep in mind that Pennington zoysia grass seed may require some patience since it has a slower growth rate than other grass types. Once established, it will form a thick and durable lawn that needs less watering and maintenance, especially in sunny and well-drained locations.

Get the Pennington Zenith zoysia grass seed for Florida at Lowe’s or Pennington.

Pennington Pensacola Bahiagrass

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Product Specs

• Available sizes: 3 and 7 pounds 
• New lawn seeding rate: 300 sq. ft./3 lbs
• Overseeding rate: 600 sq. ft./3 lbs

What We Like

• Heat-, shade-, cold-, and drought-tolerant seeds will grow no matter the weather or temperature
• Seeds deeply root into the ground; roots penetrate 2 to 3 inches deep for long-term growth
• Comes in a variety of quantities for both large and small lawn spaces 
• Has a smaller price tag than some other options on the market

What We Don’t Like

• May require fertilization; no coating on the seeds, which may make them vulnerable to disease 

The Pennington Pensacola Bahiagrass grass seed is an excellent option for those living in regions prone to dry weather. This grass seed variety is known for its exceptional drought tolerance and thrives well in full sun. Developing its robust and resilient nature requires at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. The grass’s deep root system enables it to access water from deeper soil layers, reducing the need for frequent watering. This adaptability to dry conditions conserves water and ensures that the lawn remains lush and green even during periods of low rainfall.

Additionally, the Pennington Pensacola Bahiagrass produces a low-maintenance, dense turf, making it an ideal option for homeowners looking for a sustainable and resilient lawn solution. The grass establishes quickly and maintains vigor even under drought stress, making it a practical choice for creating durable landscapes that withstand changing climate conditions.

Get the Pennington Pensacola Bahiagrass grass seed for Florida at Lowe’s, The Home Depot (7 pounds), or Walmart (3 pounds).

Everwilde Farms Buffalo Grass Native Grass Seeds

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Product Specs<