Florida’s subtropical to tropical climate presents continuous challenges for maintaining a healthy lawn. The combination of intense heat, high humidity, and a year-round growing season means turfgrass rarely gets a prolonged rest period. Unlike cooler regions, Florida mowing frequency is highly variable and demands constant adjustment. Determining how often to cut the grass depends entirely on the current growth rate, which is influenced by the season and the specific type of turf planted.
The One-Third Rule
The fundamental principle guiding all lawn maintenance is known as the one-third rule. This rule dictates that you should never remove more than one-third of the grass blade height in a single mowing session. Following this practice minimizes physiological shock to the turf, preventing a sudden loss of the leaf surface required for photosynthesis. Removing too much leaf tissue forces the plant to use energy reserves stored in the roots to generate new leaves, weakening the overall structure.
Adhering to this limit controls your mowing frequency. For example, if your desired turf height is three inches, you must mow the grass before it exceeds four and a half inches. This approach promotes deeper root growth and helps the turf withstand environmental stresses like drought and high temperatures. Violating the one-third rule can lead to “scalping,” which exposes the sensitive crown of the grass to sun damage, making it susceptible to disease and weeds.
Seasonal Frequency Adjustments
Mowing frequency in Florida must adapt to the state’s distinct climate periods, which are generally divided into a hot/wet season and a cool/dry season. During the peak growing period of the hot/wet season (typically May through October), grass growth accelerates dramatically. High temperatures combined with frequent, heavy rainfall create optimal conditions for rapid vertical growth.
In this summer period, it is often necessary to mow at least once per week, and sometimes twice weekly, to keep pace with growth and respect the one-third rule. Consistent rainfall and fertilizer application stimulate this rapid growth, demanding vigilance to prevent the grass from becoming overgrown. Cutting the lawn when it is too tall results in large clumps of clippings that can smother the turf, increasing the risk of fungal diseases.
As the weather transitions into the cool/dry season (roughly November through April), growth rates slow down considerably. While Florida lawns rarely enter the deep dormancy seen in northern states, cooler temperatures and reduced daylight curb their activity. Mowing frequency can be reduced to once every two to four weeks during this time.
In Central and South Florida, mild winter temperatures allow slow, steady growth, requiring occasional cuts on an as-needed basis. In the cooler parts of North Florida, if temperatures drop low enough for the turf to turn brown, mowing may not be needed for several weeks. Adjusting the mower height slightly higher in the cooler months helps insulate the root system and provides a larger surface area for limited photosynthesis.
Grass-Specific Growth Rates and Mowing Heights
The inherent growth rate and structure of the specific turfgrass species are the primary drivers of the baseline mowing schedule. Florida’s most common turf varieties have different needs that influence the frequency required to maintain health. St. Augustinegrass, known for its broad blades, requires a higher cut height, typically maintained between three and four inches.
To uphold the one-third rule at this height, St. Augustinegrass requires mowing once per week during the active summer season. The taller cut height helps the grass shade its roots and soil, conserving moisture and reducing weed germination. Cutting this species below three inches can damage the plant and encourage the formation of thatch.
Bermudagrass is an aggressive, fine-bladed grass that thrives under a lower cut, often maintained between one and two inches. Due to its vigorous growth habit, Bermudagrass requires the highest mowing frequency of all common Florida turfs, often needing to be cut twice per week during peak summer months. Its dense nature and rapid vertical growth mean it quickly exceeds the one-third threshold if neglected.
Zoysiagrass and Bahiagrass fall into a moderate range of maintenance requirements. Zoysiagrass is a dense, medium-textured turf best maintained between two and three inches, requiring a weekly cut during the summer. Bahiagrass, selected for its low-maintenance and drought tolerance, grows more openly and is mowed at a taller height of three to four inches. Bahiagrass mowing is often driven by the need to remove tough, upright seedheads rather than leaf growth, allowing for a less frequent schedule.