Having a lush, green lawn is a goal for many homeowners. But achieving that perfect carpet of grass can be challenging, especially in shady areas underneath trees. The dense shade cast by tree canopies limits the amount of sunlight that reaches the grass, making it difficult for the turf to thrive. Fortunately, there are types of grasses specifically bred to grow in shady conditions. Planting the right grass seed mixture can vastly improve the quality and appearance of turf in the shade.
Why Turf Struggles in Shady Areas
Before exploring shade tolerant grasses, it’s helpful to understand why turfgrass has difficulty growing in heavy shade.
Sunlight – Grass needs abundant sunlight for photosynthesis. With less light, growth slows and the turf becomes thinner and weaker. Cool-season grasses need at least 4-6 hours of sun per day. Any less will result in a decline.
Moisture – Shady areas often remain damp longer after irrigation or rainfall. Excess moisture encourages fungal diseases and allows moss to invade.
Thatch Buildup – Reduced sunlight limits the microbes that break down dead grass clippings and roots into organic matter. This causes thatch accumulation, which is detrimental.
Fewer Roots – With less energy from the sun, the grass plants produce shorter roots. This makes them less drought tolerant and less heat tolerant.
Nutrient Deficiencies – Photosynthesis is also necessary for the grass to take up vital nutrients like nitrogen and iron. Deficiencies become common in heavy shade.
Compaction & Poor Drainage – Tree roots compete for space, resulting in compacted soil that doesn’t absorb water well. Standing puddles lead to problems.
Understanding these challenges makes it clear why the wrong type of grass will fail in deep shade environments. The good news is there are shade tolerant alternatives!
Characteristics of Quality Shade Grasses
When evaluating grass seed mixes, there are certain traits well-adapted shade varieties will exhibit:
- Low Light Tolerance – Needs as little as 2-4 hours of sun per day to remain healthy.
- Spreading Growth – Produces rhizomes and stolons that fill in bare patches.
- Slow Vertical Growth – Puts energy into lateral spread rather than upright growth that requires more light.
- Fine Leaf Texture – The narrower blade allows more light to pass through the canopy.
- Few Seed Heads – Less energy wasted on reproduction, more focused on turf density.
- Good Shade Density – Ability to create a thick turf stand under low light conditions.
- Disease Resistance – Stands up well to common shade-related fungal diseases.
- Moisture Tolerance – Handles both shade-related excess moisture and occasional droughts.
Ideally, you want a grass with all these characteristics. The good news is plant breeders have developed several improved shade grass varieties.
Top Shade Grass Species & Varieties
Knowing the best grass species and varieties for shade will give you a better chance of success. The top performers include:
Fine Fescues
Fine fescues are some of the best shade tolerant cool season lawn grasses. The fine leaf texture allows more light to filter through. Popular fine fescue species include:
- Red Fescue – Deep root system provides good drought tolerance. Slow growth requires less mowing.
- Chewings Fescue – One of the most shade tolerant fescues. Provides a dense carpet, spreading through rhizomes.
- Hard Fescue– Grows in very poor, sandy soils. Handles heat and drought when other fescues struggle.
- Sheep Fescue – Short in stature but spreads to form thick turf. Tolerant of damp shade conditions.
- Creeping Red Fescue – Vigorous crawling growth habit fills in bare spots under trees.
Popular fine fescue blends include Bighorn GT Sheep Fescue, Firecracker SLS Red Fescue, and Epic Hard Fescue.
Improved Ryegrasses
Perennial ryegrass naturally tolerates moderate shade. Varieties like Linn Perennial Rye and Front Yard blend well with fine fescues. The ryegrass improves winter color retention.
Slender Creeping Red Fescue
Slender creeping red fescue (strong creeping red) is a top performer. It only needs 2 hours of sun per day yet delivers outstanding shade density. Rugby II, Sea Link, and Boreal are excellent cultivars.
Supina Bluegrass
A special type of Kentucky bluegrass, supina bluegrass forms a lush, soft turf with a blue-green color. It tolerates very low mowing and excels in damp, shady sites. Popular varieties include Quantum Leap, Avalanche, and Arctic Green.
Shade Tolerant Zoysia
Zenith Zoysia is one warm season shade grass that can handle 4-5 hours of sun once established. It has a fine texture and nice shade density.
Pros & Cons of Shade Grass Mixes
There are shade grass seed mixes tailored to optimize growth under trees. Benefits of using a specialty mix include:
- Contains multiple compatible shade grass varieties.
- Seeds are blended at the ideal percentages.
- Guaranteed shade tolerance for easier establishment.
- Spreads risks should one grass type struggle.
However, there are also valid reasons to create your own custom blend:
- Can choose specific cultivars you prefer.
- Control the percentages of each species.
- Omit grass types that you don’t want.
- Design the perfect mix for your unique site.
If you have the knowledge to do so, a custom blend allows complete flexibility. But quality shade mixes offer proven results.
When to Plant Shade Grass Seed
Timing is an important factor for the successful establishment of shade grass seed:
Spring – The spring season offers the ideal window for planting cool season shade grasses like fine fescue. Aim for early to mid spring after the last hard frost.
Fall – Early fall is another prime planting time, as the grass will have the cool temperatures and fall rains needed to promote growth before winter dormancy.
Summer – High heat and drought make summer the worst time to plant. Wait until temperatures cool before seeding.
Before Rain – Seed right before expected rainfall if irrigation is not available. This allows the seeds to immediately get the moisture they require.
Long Growing Season – Allow at least 8-12 weeks of favorable growing conditions after seeding for the new grass to mature before harsh weather.
Proper timing gives new grass the longest period of ideal growing conditions after germination. Seed too late and the small plants may not survive winter or summer stresses.
How to Plant Shade Grass Seed
Once you’ve chosen the right grass varieties and scheduled planting at the optimal time, it’s vital to follow good seeding practices:
- Mow existing grass very short so new seedlings get enough light.
- Dethatch and aerate compacted soil if necessary to enhance rooting.
- Apply starter fertilizer to encourage fast establishment. Use a shade-friendly, slow-release formula.
- Improve drainage of swampy areas before seeding.
- Seed at the recommended rates for each blend to avoid thin coverage.
- Break up bare or compacted areas and rake lightly before seeding.
- Broadcast spreading or slice seeding generally produce better results than drilling.
- Gently rake seeded areas to get good soil to seed contact.
- Water gently several times a day to keep top 1/4″ of soil moist until germination.
- Consider a shade-compatible grass/legume mix for extra nitrogen.
- Use a shade-rate turf-type tall fescue instead of KY bluegrass in very dense shade.
Taking time to prep the site and sowing at the right rate gives the new grass the best chance to flourish.
Overseeding Shade Grass into Existing Turf
It’s usually better to start fresh when renovating a large area of shade grass. But overseeding can work well on thinning patches under isolated trees. Here are some tips:
- Mow low and dethatch to allow seedling contact with soil.
- Apply a high-quality starter fertilizer 2-4 weeks before overseeding.
- Select a shade grass seed blend that complements the existing turf.
- Broadcasting, slice seeding or drilling all work, depending on the overseeded area size.
- Consider dormant seeding in winter if grass is fully dormant.
- Water gently but frequently in the top 1/2 inch of soil before germination.
- Reduce foot traffic and mowing until new grass establishes.
- Reseed any remaining thin spots at 4-6 week intervals until filled in.
Overseeding takes patience, but it can improve turf density without destroying the existing lawn.
Caring for Newly Seeded Shade Grass
The care given to freshly planted shade grass will impact its chances for survival. Be sure to provide attentive care:
- Maintain constant soil moisture, avoiding both flood and drought.
- Gently rake out any tree leaves or debris that falls on new grass.
- Apply selective herbicides or hand pull weeds/invasive grasses.
- Let new grass reach 3 inches before first mowing at 2 inches.
- Don’t apply nitrogen fertilizer until the second or third mowing.
- Consider sodding or reseeding areas with poor germination.
- Control heavy traffic and allow rest periods between play.
- Monitor for insect pests like chinch bugs.
- Watch for disease and treat promptly if conditions are favorable.
Proper water, mowing, rest, pest control and patience ensure a healthy stand.
Shade Grass Care After Establishment
Once the new shade-tolerant lawn is fully established, you’ll need to adjust care to keep it looking its best:
Mowing – Shade grass grows slower and needs less frequent mowing. Never remove more than 1/3 of blade length when cutting.
Fertilization – Apply a shade-friendly fertilizer 1-2 times per year. Slow release organic formulas work well.
Aeration – Aerate at least once a year to reduce soil compaction from tree roots and foot traffic.
Dethatching – Dethatch if thatch exceeds 1/2 inch, using a power rake or vertical mower.
Overseeding – Overseed thin areas in fall or spring to maintain density.
Irrigation – Water deeply but infrequently in the early morning. Allow soil to dry between watering.
Pest Control – Monitor for weeds, diseases, insects and animals. Take corrective action promptly.
Adjusting care practices keeps shade grass happy despite reduced light and other challenges.
Shade-Friendly Alternatives to Grass
While shade tolerant grasses provide the traditional lawn look, there are other interesting options:
Groundcovers – Low-growing perennials like vinca, ivy, liriope, lamium, wild ginger, and epimedium thrive in shade with less maintenance.
Ornamental Grasses – Shade-friendly varieties like hakonechloa, ophiopogon, carex and juncus add texture.
Mulch & Hardscape – Decorative mulch, river rock, gravel, stepping stones and hardwood chips offer low-maintenance alternatives.
Woodland Plants – Hostas, ferns, astilbe, coral bells and other woodland perennials add interest.
Moss – Embrace moss that invades bare areas rather than fighting it. Some treat it as a decorative element.
Don’t just default to a struggling patchy lawn. Take advantage of shade with unique non-grass alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shade Grasses
What type of grass grows best in shade?
Fine fescues grow best in dense shade, along with shade tolerant ryegrass varieties. Improved Kentucky bluegrass cultivars also work well. Cool season grasses fare better than warm season types.
How much sun does grass need to survive?
At minimum, cool season grasses need 2-4 hours of quality sun exposure. Warm season grasses need 4 or more hours of strong sun daily. Any less leads to decline.
What is the most shade tolerant grass seed?
Fine fescues like slender and strong creeping red fescue are the most shade tolerant types. Chewings fescue, sheep fescue and hard fescue also perform well. Shade tolerant cultivars of taller fescues and ryegrass help round out the mix.
Is it a waste to plant grass seed in shade?
It certainly can be if you plant the wrong grass varieties. But selecting improved types bred specifically for shade tolerance gives you a very good chance of growing lush grass.
What grass fills in bare spots in shade?
Fine fescues and creeping red fescue fill in bare spots in shade well. Their spreading rhizomes and stolons allow them to colonize and spread. Overseeding thin areas in spring or fall helps fill gaps.
What is the easiest grass to grow in shade?
Slender creeping red fescue (strong creeping red fescue) stands out as one of the easiest shade grasses. Once established, it handles deep shade plus occasional drought and dampness with minimal input.
Conclusion
Growing gorgeous grass in shady areas underneath trees is very achievable. But it requires choosing shade tolerant varieties matched to the conditions. Fine fescues, strong creeping red fescue, and supina bluegrass handle low light beautifully. Overseeding thin spots, fertilizing carefully, and adjusting practices keeps shade grass looking lush. Alternatives like groundcovers, mulch and moss also offer easy-care options. With the right approach, you can have a stunning shady lawn.