Bermuda Grass vs. Fescue: Which Is Best for Your Lawn?

Reseeding a lawn with new grass can be challenging if you don’t know the difference between grass types, like Bermuda grass vs. fescue. Although both grasses can be great options for a lawn, there are many differences between Bermuda grass and fescue to consider before choosing one for your yard. If you can’t decide, contact a local lawn service pro to help you determine the best option for your yard.

Bermuda Grass Pros and Cons

Bermuda grass is a widely popular option in warm-climate areas. This grass grows well in hot locations because it is a warm-weather grass that can withstand heat and drought. It is best suited for Hardiness Zones 6 through 11, in lawns with a soil pH of 6 to 6.5.

Pros of Bermuda Grass

Southern lawns planted with Bermuda grass will look vibrant thanks to its deep green hue, and this grass is nearly pest-resistant. It also bounces back well from high foot traffic. Bermuda grass is heat-, drought-, and salt-tolerant, making it a great choice for yards in warm climates.

Cons of Bermuda Grass

Be careful where you plant Bermuda grass; many consider it invasive. This grass also requires more maintenance, like watering and weeding, to keep healthy. You’ll also need to mow your lawn frequently to keep it about 1 to 1½ inches tall. Bermuda grass will not grow well if your lawn is shady.

Fescue Grass Pros and Cons

Fescue is a cool-season grass, although it is so hardy it is often considered transitional. Thriving in Hardiness Zones 2 through 7, fescue grass is common in cool- or cold-climate lawns. It can withstand colder temperatures, and fescue’s long and complex root systems make it strong, great for those who love to run barefoot through the grass. This grass grows best in soil with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.5.

Pros

Fescue grass is a resilient and durable grass. It stands up well against cold winters and it can withstand the heat, too. This grass type typically grows in clumps with deep roots that support high foot traffic. It also requires minimal maintenance, so you can still have a healthy lawn even if you miss watering or mowing here and there.

Cons

Fescue’s minimal maintenance can be a blessing and a curse. Fescue can grow several feet—that’s right, feet—tall when left unmowed. And while most people associate summer with a bright green lawn and winter with grass that looks a bit dull, fescue actually looks best from fall to spring and may appear less vibrant than your neighbors’ lawns in the heat of summer.

Fescue vs. Bermuda Grass

When you look at a lawn, you might think, “It’s grass; it’s all the same.” But when it comes to fescue vs. Bermuda grass, they are far more different than they are alike. Check out how these grass types compare.

Sunlight

Fescue grass can handle three to four hours of sunlight per day, while Bermuda grass requires seven or more. Bermuda grass isn’t a type that grows in the shade. Slightly-shaded areas, such as between houses, would still not count towards Bermuda grass’ high need for sunshine.

Best sun tolerance: Bermuda grass

Shade

Fescue grasses have a very high tolerance for shade. Fine fescues grow best in shady areas, and tall fescues have moderate shade tolerance. On the other hand, Bermuda grasses require lots of sun, nearly a full day’s worth.

Best shade tolerance: Fescue

Appearance

If you want a beautiful lawn, fescue and Bermuda are promising grass options. Found on golf courses and with a deep green shade, these grasses will contribute to a vibrant yard that boosts curb appeal. Fescue is taller and should reach 2½ to 4 inches tall, while Bermuda grass is shorter and should reach no higher than 2 inches. Some fescue types also work well as ornamental grasses for decorative and easy landscaping.

Best appearance: Tie

Sod and Seed Options

For a long time, Bermuda grass was only available in sod form, though that has changed over the years, and it is now available to buy as seed, though it’s more difficult to grow from seed than fescue. Fescue is available in both forms, and you can choose from different varieties, such as tall fescue, creeping red, or sheep fescue. Note that sod is more expensive than seed but it’s a quicker path to achieving your goal of a lush lawn. 

Most sod and seed options: Tie

Options and Customizations

Bermuda grass is available in a variety of shades of green. Fescue includes many grass options, some with finer or thicker blades. You can even find ornamental blue fescue to decorate your lawn. Experts estimate that there are about 50 different types of Bermuda grasses and over 300 types of fescue.

More customization options: Fescue

Growing Conditions

Fescue is a cool-weather grass that grows in Hardiness Zones 2 through 7. It looks best in fall, winter, and spring. It can tolerate drought and shade well. Fescue also grows well in a wide range of soil pHs from 5.5 to 7.5.

Bermuda grass is a warm-weather grass that grows in Hardiness Zones 6 through 11. This grass looks best in the summer, and it doesn’t like low temperatures or even shady locations. Bermuda is a little more choosy when it comes to soil pH and needs levels around 6 to 6.5.

Growing conditions: Tie, depending on conditions

Durability

Both grass types are extremely durable, but in different ways. While fescue’s deep roots help it withstand heavy foot traffic, it takes longer to recover from wear and tear. Bermuda grass can also handle high wear and bounces back quicker. 

Fescue grass can tolerate cold temperatures and drought, while Bermuda is weak against the cold but stands strong in high heat and drought. While Bermuda grass is nearly pest-resistant, it is susceptible to fungal diseases, whereas fescue grass is not.

More durable: Tie

Price

Fescue grass costs about $0.35 to $0.65 per square foot. Bermuda is slightly more expensive. It ranges from $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot, or $160 to $385 per pallet. A pallet includes coverage for up to 450 square feet.

Less expensive: Fescue 

Maintenance 

As with any grass, you’ll need to mow and water your grass to help it grow. But Bermuda grass requires more intensive care to keep it looking its best. You can let fescue grow a little taller between mowing sessions, but you should frequently mow to keep Bermuda about 1½ inches high. 

Lowest maintenance: Fescue

Mowing Heights

You’ll need to mow both grass types approximately once per week, assuming average growth time. The ideal fescue mowing height is 3 to 3½ inches, and after seeding or sodding, wait until it is 4 to 4½ inches before mowing. Be careful to not cut more than that, as that will harm your new grass. Bermuda grass should be mowed at a height of 1 to 2 inches, though some hybrid varieties will want a shorter mow height. 

Lower mowing height: Bermuda

Traffic Tolerance

Bermuda grass has a high nutritional value and grows very dense and thick, allowing it to withstand lots of foot traffic. If you have kids that love to play on the lawn, it would be a very good choice. However, fescue grass is also a robust variety, with durable, upright blades and a remarkable ability to remain undamaged by dog urine.

Best foot traffic tolerance: Bermuda

Drought Resistance and Tolerance

Bermuda grass thrives in hot, sunny environments and it’s a common grass in the Southwest. It’s widely recognized as one of the most drought-resistant grasses, requiring only 1 to 1¼ inches of water weekly. With its deep roots, it can take up water from up to 6 feet in the ground. Even after an extended drought, Bermuda grass is known to go dormant for three to four weeks without dying. Fescue is no slouch, though, and still offers moderate drought tolerance.

Most drought resistant: Bermuda

Pests and Disease Tolerance

Both Bermuda and fescue grasses offer excellent resistance to common lawn pests and diseases. Bermuda grasses are susceptible to a few fungal diseases, one called “spring dead spot,” caused by fungi in the genus Ophiosphaerella, and other is powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe graminis. Fescue grasses are susceptible to a few fungal diseases, including brown patches, but are generally disease tolerant. As for pests, a soil insecticide should keep them away with both kinds of grasses. 

Most pest and disease tolerant: Tie

Paige Bennett contributed to this piece.