What Type of Grass to Plant in Clay Soil?

• A variety of grasses thrive in clay soil. Design Pics/Valueline/Getty Images

  Soil consisting mostly of clay offers a challenge to gardeners, especially when it comes to planting grass in a clay-soil landscape. Several native grasses do grow in clay soil, including ornamental grasses that grew on the plains and prairies where they had to adapt to poor soil. When planted in the garden, native grasses require little maintenance while adding plenty of texture and color to the landscape. You can use native grasses as groundcovers, accent plants, or to control erosion.

Buffalo Grass

• A native to the Great Plains areas where miles of the plant supported great herds of buffalo, buffalo grass is a low-growing plant that thrives in heavy clay soils. The grass grows best where moderate to low rain falls. Also known as a native turf grass, buffalo grass features fine curly leaves that help form lawns of thin, soft blue-green turf. The grass grows well in areas that experience drought and hot temperatures. Buffalo grass spreads via surface runners or by seed. The perennial grass grows up to 10 inches high when left uncut, but the blades usually fall over, giving the grass a shorter appearance.

Little Bluestem Grass

• Little bluestem thrives in clay soils where it produces clumps of green to bluish-green grass. The perennial grass grows up to 3 feet in height. Little bluestem produces attractive heads of fluffy white seed plumes that add visual interest to the landscape when left uncut. In the fall, little bluestem turns beautiful shades of orange and red. The plant requires little maintenance, being highly drought tolerant. Plant the grass in full to partial shade. Bluestem grass works well as an accent plant in the garden or in natural settings when planted in random patches on slopes or dry areas. The grass is sometimes used in grass seed mixtures.

Arizona Fescue Grass

• An ideal grass for clay soil, Arizona fescue is a native, fine-textured grass sporting bluish-green leaves. The grass grows in gardens and landscapes up to 10,000 feet in elevation. Arizona fescue grows up to 1 1/2 feet in height, although it does require extra water during times of drought.

Big Bluestem Grass

• Growing up to 6 feet in height if left uncut, big bluestem produces bluish-green foliage that grows in stiff, upright clumps. In the fall, the grass produces three-branched seed heads that look like bird's feet. The grass turns an attractive shade of orange in the fall. Big bluestem grows best in sandy soils, but tolerates clay soil, too. Plant big bluestem in moist clay soil in full sun. The grass grows in high-elevation locations up to 7,500 feet. Birds and wildlife use the grass for cover and habitats.