The common perception of Arizona as a barren desert suggests a lack of grass, but the reality is far more complex and varied across the state. Grass does exist in Arizona, ranging from naturally occurring species to highly cultivated turf environments maintained through intensive human effort. The presence and type of grass depend dramatically on elevation, local climate, and the level of irrigation management applied. Arizona encompasses both drought-adapted native ecosystems and lush, green landscapes engineered for residential and commercial use.
Native Grasses Across Arizona’s Ecosystems
Arizona’s natural grasslands are highly diverse, adapting to elevations from low desert floors to high mountain meadows. These native species have evolved to survive the region’s intense heat and unpredictable rainfall. Most native Arizona grasses are warm-season perennials, remaining active during the hottest months and surviving winter by going dormant.
Grama grasses, such as Blue Grama and Sideoats Grama, are prominent examples of this adaptation, often forming bunchgrass clumps rather than a continuous sod layer. This clumping growth habit minimizes water loss and stabilizes the desert soil against erosion. Another native, Sacaton grass, is a tall, coarse bunchgrass used for erosion control, particularly in washes and open rangelands.
The summer monsoon season, typically running from June through September, is a period of renewed growth for these grasses. They quickly utilize the seasonal rainfall, allowing them to flourish before the drier months return. Species like Bush Muhly develop deep root systems that tap into underground water sources, enabling them to survive extended periods of drought.
Maintaining Residential and Commercial Lawns
Maintaining a traditional green lawn in Arizona’s low desert areas, such as Phoenix and Tucson, relies on a carefully managed seasonal cycle. The primary choice for residential and commercial turf is a warm-season variety, most commonly Bermuda grass, including cultivars like Midiron or Tifway. Bermuda grass is highly tolerant of the intense summer heat and is the best-adapted turfgrass for the region.
During the winter months, Bermuda grass naturally enters a state of dormancy, turning a golden-brown color when temperatures drop. To maintain a green appearance year-round, especially on golf courses and high-end properties, turf managers perform “overseeding.” This technique involves sowing a cool-season grass, typically Perennial Ryegrass, directly over the dormant Bermuda turf in the fall.
The ideal time for overseeding in the low desert is generally in October, when daytime temperatures are consistently in the low to mid-80s Fahrenheit and nighttime lows hover around 55°F. This timing is important to allow the Ryegrass to establish before a hard frost and before the Bermuda grass fully emerges from dormancy in the spring.
The Ryegrass remains green throughout the mild winter. As spring temperatures rise, the summer Bermuda grass regains dominance, effectively “burning out” the annual Ryegrass. This reliance on two different grass species requires significant adjustments in watering and fertilization to manage the transition smoothly.
Water Conservation and Grass Alternatives
The intensive cultivation required to sustain non-native turfgrass in an arid environment comes with substantial water consumption. A Bermuda grass lawn that is overseeded with winter Ryegrass can require over 55 inches of water annually to remain lush and green. This high demand accounts for a large portion of a household’s outdoor water use, often representing up to 70% of the total water consumption.
As a result of long-term drought conditions, many municipalities and homeowners are turning to xeriscaping, or desert-friendly landscaping, to conserve resources. Converting a traditional lawn to a xeriscape can reduce the required annual water input to less than 18 inches. This conversion involves replacing large areas of turf with drought-tolerant alternatives and utilizing low-water-use plants.
Common grass alternatives include the use of decomposed granite or decorative rock for large areas, which eliminate water use entirely. Increasingly popular options also include specific ground covers, such as Kurapia, which can use up to 75% less water than Bermuda grass once established. Some residents also choose artificial turf, which provides a green appearance with no water requirement, though it can absorb significant heat.