FAST FACTS
A low maintenance lawn is one that requires less mowing, fertiliser and water giving you time to then enjoy your lawn.
For families who want the lifestyle and not the work, such as mowing, fertilising and watering, then a low maintenance lawn is for you.
Alternately if your area is prone to water restrictions a low maintenance lawn generally survives less watering requirements.
Usually, a low maintenance lawn has very slow-growing characteristics, a deep root system that seeks out soil moisture and low nitrogen requirements.
Read On To Learn About Our Top Picks:
Zoysia Varieties are the lowest maintenance grasses on the market due to their slow-growing and deep-rooted features. When left to their own devices, Zoysia grasses save on long-term mowing, pesticides, de-thatching and fertilisers.
Zoysia grasses quickly form a dense, cushiony turf that outcompetes weeds and naturally resists diseases and pests.
Nara Native Zoysia™ is a leading contender if you want a low maintenance grass that requires less mowing, edging and fertilising compared to other varieties such as Buffalo, Couch and Kikuyu.
In terms of mowing, Nara Native requires 20% less mowing than Couch, Kikuyu and Buffalo grasses.
If you want a very low maintenance Nara Native Zoysia fertilise sparingly and mow very little – often just twice a year.
However, if you do want to promote more growth and colour Nara Native Zoysia’s low growth habits mean mowing can occur every 2 weeks in spring and summer.
Nara Native Zoysia is also less invasive for paths and gardens and requires less edging.
The dense growth of Nara Native means weeds are less invasive when maintained.
Nara Native rarely gets diseases and copes well with pests due to the immunity the variety has built-up over the years.
A very deep-rooted system that seeks-out soil moisture allows Nara Native to be water efficient.
When fully established Nara Native Zoysia only requires watering when wilting is noticed.
Water Nara Native Zoysia deeply but infrequently in the early morning between 7am and 10am.
Where it grows: Nara Native Zoysia grows well in Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Your local Nara Grower suppliers can easily be found with our online supplier locator tool.
Expect to pay: Between $11 and $16 per square metre. To get more Nara Zoysia pricing info, visit our Nara Zoysia info page and get 3 quotes from your local growers today.
Empire Zoysia™ is also an ideal low maintenance choice.
Mowing is also less of a chore with Empire Zoysia which after being left for 20 weeks without mowing only grew to 116.95mm compared to Kikuyu which grew to 413.15mm and Couch 205mm.
Empire Turf also requires less edging and doesn’t creep into your garden beds unlike Couch, Kikuyu and Buffalo grasses.
Deep, infrequent watering allows Empire Zoysia’s deep roots to seek out soil moisture.
Empire Zoysia’s water efficiency means during summer you can water twice a week for 15 minutes between 6am and 8am and then once a week for 45 minutes.
If you want a really low maintenance lawn you do not have to fertilise your Empire Zoysia at all.
Empire Zoysia has a lower requirement for nitrogen so fertilising is not as crucial for maintaining growth.
Where it grows: Empire Zoysia grows well in Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Your local Empire Grower suppliers can easily be found with our online supplier locator tool.
Expect to pay: Between $12 and $16 per square metre. To get more Empire Zoysia pricing info, visit our Empire Zoysia info page and get 3 quotes from your local Empire growers today.
Buffalo grasses are another low maintenance variety that are less invasive to garden edging compared to Couch or Kikuyu varieties. Less thatching also makes Buffalo grasses an excellent low maintenance lawn.
Their deep-rooted system means Buffalo grasses are also quite water efficient.
Prestige Buffalo is a low thatch variety as it is less spongy and subsequently much healthier and therefore doesn’t need as much maintenance.
Prestige Buffalo requires less watering due to its strong deep root system.
A rule of thumb is to water your Prestige Buffalo deeply every 7-10 days during summer and less in cooler conditions.
Depending on how much growth and green you want in your Prestige Buffalo determines the amount of fertiliser you apply.
Low maintenance Prestige Buffalo requires a complete fertiliser early April and September and at other times of the year use a slow release fertiliser. When established Prestige Buffalo’s dense growth means it is harder for weeds to invade.
Prestige Buffalo is also resistant to most pests and diseases but as with any lawn if you feel there are problems then consult your Local Garden Centre.
Where it grows: Prestige Soft Leaf Buffalo is well-suited for most parts of Australia including much of Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Your local Grower suppliers can easily be found with our online supplier locator tool.
Expect to pay: Between $13 and $16.50 per square metre. To get more Prestige Buffalo pricing info, visit our Prestige Buffalo info page and get 3 quotes from your local growers today.
As with most Buffalo grasses, Sapphire Soft Leaf has a low thatch rate meaning less maintenance.
During summer water your Sapphire Soft Leaf Buffalo twice a week for 15 minutes between 6am and 8am and then once a week for 45 minutes.
Watering is best done infrequently but deeply to promote root deep development making the Sapphire Soft Leaf Buffalo more water efficient.
Sapphire’s long dense growth makes it harder for weeds to invade the lawn.
Where it grows: Prestige Soft Leaf Buffalo is well-suited for most parts of Australia including much of Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Your local Grower suppliers can easily be found with our online supplier locator tool.
Expect to pay: Between $10 and $15 per square metre. To get more Sapphire Buffalo pricing info, visit our Sapphire Buffalo info page and get 3 quotes from your local Sapphire growers today.
Palmetto Buffalo has a large deep-rooted system that allows it to be water efficient during drought conditions.
Established Palmetto only needs watering when you notice wilting leaf blades in your lawn.
During drought conditions deep water your Palmetto Buffalo every 7-10 days early in the morning – between 7am and 10am.
Where it grows: Palmetto Soft Leaf Buffalo is well-suited for most parts of Australia including much of Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Your local Grower suppliers can easily be found with our online supplier locator tool.
Expect to pay: Between $10 and $15 per square metre. To get more Palmetto Buffalo pricing info, visit our Palmetto Buffalo info page and get 3 quotes from your local Palmetto growers today.
The beauty of low maintenance grasses is that they require less mowing.
For Zoysia grasses mow every 3 to 4 weeks to a height of between 35mm to 45mm or less frequently if you don’t mind longer grass.
Buffalo grasses can be mown every 7-10 days to a height of 45mm or lower if you want less maintenance.
In shaded areas mow Buffalo grasses to a height of about 60mm.
Low maintenance grasses only need watering when you notice the lawn browning off or wilting.
Infrequent deep watering should occur early in the morning between 7am and 10am.
For more fast facts and Q&As on our varieties –
Or check out our handy Quick Lawn Selection Guide
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