Benoni sits on the Highveld: hot, wet summers, dry winters and regular frost. The right grass depends on how much sun your garden gets, how much wear it takes from kids and dogs, and how much you're willing to water.
The main options
| Grass | Sun or shade | Wear | Water use | Winter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kikuyu | Full sun | Excellent | Medium | Goes brown and dormant | Fast-growing and tough; spreads into beds; needs regular mowing and edging |
| Buffalo (St Augustine) | Sun to semi-shade | Good | Medium to high | Stays greener than kikuyu | Broad leaves; good under trees with some light; dislikes scalping |
| LM (Durban) grass | Semi-shade | Moderate | Medium | Often stays green longer | Soft, fine leaf; better in sheltered spots |
| Cynodon (Bermuda / Royal Cape type) | Full sun only | Very good | Low to medium | Goes dormant | Fine, neat lawn; drought tolerant; struggles in shade |
Which suits you?
- Big sunny lawn, kids and dogs: kikuyu. It recovers fast from wear and is the most common lawn in Benoni.
- Garden with large trees: buffalo or LM in the shadier parts. No lawn grass does well in deep shade; consider beds or paving there instead.
- Low water use: Cynodon types in full sun, plus water-wise garden ideas.
- Mixed garden: many gardens combine kikuyu in the sun with buffalo under the trees.
Planting and timing
Plant new lawn (instant lawn or runners) in spring and early summer, when the soil is warm and the rains help it establish. Prepare the soil first: remove weeds, loosen compacted ground and add compost. Water daily for the first couple of weeks, then less often but more deeply.
Looking after it
Each grass has its own mowing height and needs. For seasonal care, see our lawn care calendar and spring lawn revival. For brown patches and weeds, see kikuyu lawn brown patches and lawn weeds.
Want a new lawn laid? Compare landscaping in Benoni, or a weekly garden service to keep it in shape.