Perennial Ryegrass
A fast-germinating cool-season grass used for overseeding and quick establishment. Perennial ryegrass has shiny, fine-medium blades and germinates in 5-7 days, faster than any other common turfgrass. It forms a bunch-type grass and does not spread on its own.
- Season
- Cool-season
- Mow height
- 2-3 inches
- Spreads by
- Bunch-forming
- Blade width
- Fine
- Drought tolerance
- Low
- Shade tolerance
- Medium
- Regions
- Northern US, Pacific Northwest, overseeding nationwide
Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is valued primarily for its extremely fast germination, seeds sprout in as little as 5 days, making it the go-to choice for overseeding damaged lawns and for quick winter color in warm-season lawns. It's often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass and fescues in northern lawn mixes.
Best use: Overseeding, quick establishment, northern blends, winter overseeding of Bermuda in the South.
Mowing: Keep at 2-3 inches. Has a shiny appearance when cut cleanly.
Fertilizer: Moderate feeder, 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year.
Watering: Moderate need. Less drought-tolerant than fescue.
Identification tip: Blades are shiny on the underside, giving the lawn a glossy look in the sun.
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