Bermuda Grass vs. St. Augustine Grass: Which Is Better for New Orleans Yards?

Choosing between Bermuda grass and St. Augustine grass is the biggest decision most New Orleans homeowners make when installing a new lawn. Both are warm-season grasses that thrive in Louisiana’s heat and humidity, but they have very different strengths. The right pick depends on your sun exposure, how you use your yard, how much maintenance you want to do, and what look you’re going for. Here’s a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.

Quick Comparison: Bermuda vs. St. Augustine

Bermuda Grass: Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Exceptional heat tolerance — thrives in Louisiana summers.
• Fast recovery from damage thanks to aggressive stolons and rhizomes.
• Best traffic tolerance of any warm-season grass — ideal for pets, kids, and active yards.
• Finer texture and deep green color for a manicured look.
• Drought resilient — stays green with less water than most alternatives.

Weaknesses

• Needs 6+ hours of direct sun; struggles in shade.
• Higher maintenance — frequent mowing, more fertilizer.
• Can be invasive, creeping into flower beds.

St. Augustine Grass: Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Best shade tolerance of warm-season grasses.
• Thick, lush appearance with broad blades.
• Lower mowing frequency than Bermuda.
• Handles New Orleans clay and moist soils well.

Weaknesses

• Poor traffic tolerance — bruises under heavy foot or pet use.
• More susceptible to diseases like gray leaf spot and chinch bug damage.
• Slower recovery from damage.
• Cold can be a stress factor in extreme winters.

Which Grass Is Better for New Orleans?

It depends on your yard:

Choose Bermuda if…

• Your yard gets 6+ hours of direct sun.
• You have kids, dogs, or frequent gatherings.
• You want the finest texture and deepest green color.
• You enjoy (or don’t mind) regular mowing.
• You want the most drought-resilient option.

Choose St. Augustine if…

• Your yard has significant tree cover or shaded zones.
• Low-traffic, visual appeal is your priority.
• You prefer fewer mowings.
• Your property has moist, partially shaded soil.

Mixed-Zone Yards: A Common New Orleans Dilemma

Many New Orleans properties have both sunny fronts and shaded backyards (live oaks, anyone?). In those cases, it’s often smarter to install Bermuda in the sunny zones and St. Augustine in the shaded zones, separated by clean landscaping edges. Mixing varieties in the same continuous lawn isn’t recommended because they grow at different rates and have different mowing needs.

Side-by-Side: Daily Life with Each Grass

Mowing

• Bermuda: every 5–7 days in peak summer, at 1–2 inches.
• St. Augustine: every 7–14 days, at 3–4 inches.

Watering

• Bermuda: 1–1.25 inches/week, deep and infrequent.
• St. Augustine: similar total, but benefits from slightly more frequent sessions.

Fertilizing

• Bermuda: 4–5 applications per growing season.
• St. Augustine: 3–4 applications per growing season.

Pest Pressure

• Bermuda: occasional armyworms, webworms.
• St. Augustine: significant chinch bug risk in summer heat.

Cost Comparison

In Louisiana, installed prices are roughly similar, with both falling in the $0.85–$2.25/sq ft range. Premium hybrid Bermudas like TifTuf sit at the higher end, while Raleigh or common St. Augustine sits more mid-range. See our Bermuda Grass and St. Augustine Grass service pages for specifics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which grass is better for a New Orleans yard with oak trees?

St. Augustine. It handles the dappled shade under mature oaks far better than Bermuda, which thins rapidly without 6+ hours of direct sun.

Which grass is better for pets and kids?

Bermuda. Its fine texture, fast recovery, and density make it the clear winner for active yards.

Which grass grows faster?

Bermuda grows faster, spreading aggressively through stolons and rhizomes. This is great for fast establishment but means more frequent mowing.

Can Bermuda and St. Augustine grow together?

Not well. They have different mowing heights, growth rates, and appearance. Bermuda will eventually outcompete St. Augustine in sunny areas.

Which grass is more drought-tolerant?

Bermuda — especially premium cultivars like TifTuf — uses less water and bounces back faster from drought stress.

Which grass needs less maintenance?

St. Augustine. Fewer mowings and slightly less fertilizer make it the lower-maintenance option overall, despite higher disease risk.

Not Sure Which Grass Is Right for Your Yard?

TurnKey Grass installs both Bermuda and St. Augustine sod throughout the New Orleans metro — Metairie, Mandeville, Baton Rouge, Covington, and more. We’ll walk your property, assess sun and soil conditions, and recommend the right grass for your lifestyle.

Schedule a Free Property Assessment →