AMERICAN GREEN ROOF GRASS INDEX

An index to help find the perfect grass to use for your state.

This index was created with two main factors in mind: average annual temperature and average annual rainfall. The 6 different grasses that comprise this index are: Bermuda Grass, Palisades Zoysia Grass, Buffalo Grass, Mondo Grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Fescue Grass. The areas we recommend for Bermuda Grass are places that receive high annual rainfall (>40 in.) and that have an average annual temperature above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (hotter climate) because of the fact that its ideal growing place are areas that are considered subtropical which means that they thrive in hotter climates with a lot of rainfall (8). The areas that we recommend Palisades Zoysia grass are places that receive average annual rainfall (20 in.-40 in.)  and that have an average annual temperature above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (hotter climate) because of its lower water needs an ability to thrive in hotter climates (1). The areas we recommend for Buffalo Grass are places that receive low annual rainfall (<20 in.) and that have an average annual temperature above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (hotter climate) because of its low water needs, its resilience to droughts, and it favors warmer seasons (8). The areas that we recommend Mondo Grass for places that have a high annual rainfall (>40 in.) and that have an average annual temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (colder climate) because this particular grass is ideal for cold climates that have a lot of rainfall (7). The areas we recommend for Kentucky Bluegrass are places that receive average annual rainfall (20 in.-40 in.) and that have an average annual temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (colder climate) because of its lower water needs and it can withstand colder climates. The areas we recommend for Fescue Grass are places that receive low annual rainfall (<20 in.) and that have an average annual temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (colder climate) because it is a cold season grass that can retain water well through periods of drought (8).