Best Grasses & Bamboo to Grow in Mississippi
Mississippi sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 8. These 22 grass varieties are suited to Mississippi's 240-day growing season with last frost around March 15 and first frost around November 15.
Varieties
22
for Mississippi
USDA Zone
8
240-day season
Beginner
16
easy to grow
Heirloom
1
heritage varieties
Mississippi in USDA Zone 8
Mississippi is primarily in Zone 8. Varieties that thrive in this zone will typically grow well across the state, though local microclimates vary.
When to Plant Grasses & Bamboo in Mississippi
Growing Grasses & Bamboo in Mississippi
Zone 8 gardeners enjoy one of the most versatile climates for grass cultivation, with mild winters and extended growing seasons that support both cool-season and warm-season varieties. The key advantage here is the ability to maintain year-round green lawns by overseeding warm-season grasses with cool-season annuals, or by selecting ornamental grasses that provide structure through multiple seasons. However, the climate presents unique challenges: hot, humid summers can stress cool-season grasses, while occasional winter freezes can damage tender warm-season varieties that aren't fully established.
When selecting grasses for Zone 8, prioritize heat tolerance and adaptability over cold hardiness alone. Look for varieties that can handle temperature swings from occasional 10-15°F winter lows to summer highs in the 90s, often accompanied by high humidity. The best performers here are either bulletproof warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia that go dormant in winter, or cool-season varieties with proven heat tolerance like tall fescue blends. For ornamental applications, native and adapted grasses like Little Bluestem and Northern Sea Oats offer the perfect combination of beauty and resilience, thriving in Zone 8's long growing season while requiring minimal intervention.
Variety Comparison
| Variety ↑ | Days | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Ryegrass | 50-70 | Very easy |
| Bahia Grass | N/A | Easy |
| Bermuda Grass | — | Easy |
| Blue Fescue | — | Easy |
| Carpetgrass | N/A | Easy |
| Centipede Grass | N/A | Easy |
| Fountain Grass | — | Easy |
| Japanese Forest Grass | — | Moderate |
| Japanese Sedge | N/A | Easy |
| Little Bluestem | N/A | Easy |
| Maiden Grass | — | Easy |
| Mondo Grass | — | Easy |
| Monkey Grass | — | Very easy |
| Northern Sea Oats | N/A | Easy |
| Ornamental Blue Oat Grass | N/A | Easy |
| Pampas Grass | — | Easy |
| Perennial Ryegrass | N/A | Easy |
| Purple Fountain Grass | N/A | Easy |
| Seashore Paspalum | N/A | Moderate to difficult |
| St. Augustine Grass | N/A | Easy to moderate |
| Zebra Grass | — | Easy |
| Zoysia Grass | — | Easy once established |
Variety Details
Annual Ryegrass
Ryegrass is a great nitrogen scavenger and can assimilate as much as 200 lb./acre/year of nitrogen. Most of that nitrogen then becomes available to subsequent crops, thus saving on fertilizer input. Annual ryegrass is a very competitive winter annual, with good seedling vigor, fast germination (with adequate moisture) and rapid establishment. Annual ryegrass is a bunch grass, yellowish-green at the base, with long glossy green leaves up to 12" each. It will overwinter in certain years. When used as a cover crop, annual ryegrass is killed in the spring before it reaches seed formation stage. Sow from early spring through late summer. As winter cover, ryegrass will winter kill, but still help protect the soil. Sow, then rake to lightly cover.
Bahia Grass
A tough, drought-tolerant grass that thrives in sandy soils and hot climates where other grasses struggle. Originally from South America, Bahia grass forms a dense, low-maintenance lawn that can handle heavy foot traffic and extended dry periods. Its deep root system makes it excellent for erosion control and sustainable landscaping in challenging conditions.
Bermuda Grass
A warm-season perennial grass prized for its exceptional drought tolerance and ability to create a dense, durable lawn that withstands heavy foot traffic. This aggressive spreader quickly fills in bare spots and recovers rapidly from damage, making it ideal for active families and sunny locations. Its fine texture and vibrant green color create an attractive carpet-like appearance when properly maintained.
Blue Fescue
A compact ornamental grass that forms perfect blue-silver tufts, adding cool-toned color and fine texture to rock gardens, borders, and contemporary landscapes. This drought-tolerant Mediterranean native maintains its striking blue color year-round and produces delicate flower spikes that add movement and interest to the garden.
Carpetgrass
A creeping, low-maintenance grass that forms a dense carpet-like lawn in the humid Southeast. Carpetgrass thrives in wet, acidic soils where other grasses fail, making it ideal for low-lying areas and coastal regions. Its aggressive spreading habit quickly fills in bare spots, creating a uniform, soft lawn that's perfect for areas with challenging drainage.
Centipede Grass
Often called the 'lazy man's grass,' this low-maintenance warm-season variety thrives with minimal fertilization and care. Its naturally slow growth means less mowing, while its dense, medium-textured appearance creates an attractive, uniform lawn. Perfect for homeowners who want a beautiful lawn without the high-maintenance requirements of other grass types.
Fountain Grass
A stunning ornamental grass that creates dramatic focal points with its arching foliage and distinctive bottlebrush plumes that dance in the breeze. This low-maintenance perennial grass offers four seasons of interest, turning golden-tan in fall and providing winter structure before fresh green growth emerges in spring.
Japanese Forest Grass
An exquisite shade-loving ornamental grass with cascading golden-yellow leaves striped with green that brings luminous color to dark garden corners. This graceful Japanese native moves beautifully in the slightest breeze and turns bronze-pink in fall, making it one of the most sought-after ornamental grasses for shade gardens.
Japanese Sedge
An elegant evergreen sedge with distinctive cream-edged leaves that brightens shady areas year-round. This low-maintenance groundcover forms neat clumps and tolerates both wet and dry conditions, making it incredibly versatile for problem areas.
Little Bluestem
A native prairie grass that transforms from blue-green summer foliage to brilliant orange-red fall color. This adaptable bunch grass is perfect for naturalized areas and provides four-season interest with fluffy white seed heads that persist through winter.
Maiden Grass
An elegant ornamental grass that creates stunning focal points with its graceful, fountain-like form and silvery plumes that catch the light beautifully. This refined cultivar features narrow, arching leaves with a distinctive white midrib that adds year-round interest to the landscape. Maiden grass provides four-season beauty, from fresh spring growth to gorgeous fall color and winter structure.
Mondo Grass
A versatile evergreen ground cover that forms dense, dark green carpets perfect for edging, borders, and areas where traditional grass struggles. Despite its name, this hardy plant is actually a lily family member that maintains its rich color year-round and requires minimal maintenance once established.
Monkey Grass
A versatile evergreen perennial that forms neat clumps of arching, grass-like foliage topped with spikes of purple or white flowers. Despite its common name, this isn't a true grass but provides similar landscaping benefits with superior drought tolerance and shade performance. Monkey grass is the go-to choice for low-maintenance borders, groundcover, and problem areas where other plants struggle.
Northern Sea Oats
A graceful native grass prized for its distinctive flat, oat-like seed heads that rustle beautifully in the wind. Excellent for naturalizing and providing movement in the garden, this adaptable grass thrives in both sun and shade with stunning fall color.
Ornamental Blue Oat Grass
A stunning ornamental grass that forms perfect blue-gray clumps with graceful arching foliage. This drought-tolerant perennial produces delicate oat-like seed heads that dance in the breeze, making it a favorite for modern landscape design and xeriscaping.
Pampas Grass
A dramatic ornamental grass that creates stunning focal points with its towering plumes of creamy-white to pink feathery flowers. This fast-growing perennial forms impressive clumps that add movement and texture to landscapes while providing excellent privacy screening. The showy plumes are highly prized for dried flower arrangements and last for months when cut.
Perennial Ryegrass
A fast-establishing, cool-season grass that's perfect for high-traffic areas and quick lawn repairs. Known for its rapid germination and excellent wear tolerance, making it ideal for sports fields and family lawns. Its fine texture and bright green color provide an attractive lawn that can handle kids and pets.
Purple Fountain Grass
A dramatic ornamental grass with burgundy-purple foliage and showy bottlebrush plumes that add tropical flair to any garden. Fast-growing and heat-loving, this grass creates stunning focal points and combines beautifully with colorful annuals.
Seashore Paspalum
An extremely salt-tolerant warm-season grass that excels in coastal environments and areas with brackish water irrigation. Originally found in tropical and subtropical coastal regions, this premium grass creates a dense, fine-textured lawn that rivals Bermuda grass in quality. Its unique ability to thrive with saltwater irrigation makes it invaluable for waterfront properties and drought-prone areas with recycled water systems.
St. Augustine Grass
A thick, luxurious warm-season grass that creates a dense, carpet-like lawn perfect for Southern climates. Known for its excellent shade tolerance and aggressive spreading habit, it quickly fills in bare spots to create a lush green lawn. Its broad, flat blades give it a distinctive coarse texture that many homeowners love for its tropical appearance.
Zebra Grass
A show-stopping ornamental grass famous for its distinctive horizontal yellow bands that create a striking zebra-like pattern across the green foliage. This eye-catching variety forms large, dramatic clumps that serve as living sculptures in the landscape, topped with feathery copper-colored plumes in fall. Zebra grass is perfect for gardeners who want to make a bold statement while enjoying easy-care, drought-tolerant beauty.
Zoysia Grass
An elegant warm-season grass that creates one of the most beautiful and low-maintenance lawns possible, with a dense, carpet-like texture that crowds out weeds naturally. Once established, this slow-growing grass requires minimal watering and fertilizing while providing excellent heat and drought tolerance. Its fine texture and rich green color make it a premium choice for homeowners wanting a gorgeous lawn with less work.
Zone 8 Growing Tips for Mississippi
Take advantage of Zone 8's extended planting windows by timing your grass establishment around the two optimal periods: early fall (September-October) for cool-season grasses and late spring (April-May) for warm-season varieties. Cool-season grasses planted in fall get the benefit of mild winter establishment without summer stress, while warm-season grasses need soil temperatures consistently above 65°F to germinate properly. Since your last frost averages March 15, you can safely plant warm-season grasses from seed in mid-April, but wait until May for sensitive varieties like St. Augustine plugs.
Summer heat management is crucial for newly established grasses in Zone 8. Plan your watering schedule around the intense July-August period, and consider temporary shade cloth for sensitive ornamental varieties during their first summer. The high humidity can promote fungal issues, so ensure proper air circulation and avoid evening watering. For overseeding projects, the sweet spot is late September when soil is still warm but air temperatures are moderating. This gives cool-season grasses like Annual Ryegrass time to establish before winter while avoiding the stress of germinating in summer heat.