Whenever I planted for a customer, their biggest question was, “How long does it take for grass seed to grow?” Everyone wants quick results, but the growth rate depends on several factors.
Most grass seeds should grow a little in about 10 to 14 days. Some warm-season grasses, like Bermuda, can take up to 30 days to sprout. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the amount of time you should expect to wait for your grass seed to start bringing new life to your yard.
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Factors Affecting Grass Seed Growth
Growing a beautiful lawn starts with your grass seed. Many things can affect how fast it will grow, including germination, weather, types of grass seed, and soil type.
Germination
Germination is the process by which a seed begins to grow and develop into a plant. When germination occurs, the seed breaks open and sprouts. Water, heat, and sun are three factors responsible for this process.
The type of seed you choose will determine how quickly this happens. Here are some popular grass seeds and their average germination rates:
- Bermuda grass: 7–14 days
- Kentucky bluegrass: 7–10 days
- Tall Fescue: 7–14 days
- Ryegrass: 5–10 days
- Zoysia grass: 14–21 days
- Buffalo grass: 14–30 days
Remember that these are averages, and other factors, such as weather, soil temperature, soil moisture, and grass species can affect the germination rate of your grass seed.
Weather
The weather will impact how fast your new grass seed grows. This is something that is out of your control, so it’s important to plant seeds during ideal growing conditions.
Most grass types are likely to germinate when the air temperature is between 60℉ to 75°Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops below this range, it may slow down the germination process. If it rises above it, the grass seed may not germinate.
Today’s Homeowner Tips
If you’re worried about soil temperatures getting too low for your grass seed, cover the seed with hay. It acts as an insulator and helps preserve warmth and moisture in the ground, similar to how mulch does for your plants.
Beyond the temperature, drought and heavy rain will also impact your seed growth. Drought conditions can prevent the seed from receiving the necessary moisture to grow, while heavy rain can wash away the seed and soil.
You may not be able to control the weather three weeks from now, but look at the long-term forecast in your area. It should give you the best temperatures in the future.
Type of Grass Seed
Some cool-season grasses, like fescue or perennial ryegrass, can start growing in as little as seven days. Warm-season grass, like buffalo and centipede grass, can take up to 30 days in ideal conditions.
Certain seeds work best in specific climates. For example, the mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions of the country grow fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. In the Southwest, the best choice is Bermuda or buffalo grass. Nature’s Seed has a great chart that breaks this down based on your location so you can choose the best seed mix for your landscaping.
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Soil Composition
The quality of your soil will have a major impact on the growth of your seed. Soil that is too compacted can prevent the seed from taking root and receiving the necessary nutrients to grow. Conversely, soil that is too loose can cause the seed to dry out and prevent it from germinating.
The best soil for grass growth is loose and well-aerated. It should have a pH between 6.0–7.0. While you may not be familiar with testing the pH balance of your soil, there are a lot of options that can help you. For example, you can buy test strips on Amazon or at your local garden center.
But, how do you change your soil’s pH if it’s too high or too low? If the pH is too low, add a lime-based compound like agricultural limestone or wood ashes. If the pH is too high, increase nitrogen in the soil by adding compost and organic matter.
When Is the Best Time to Plant Grass?
There’s a right and a wrong time of year to plant certain types of grass seed, and the more you know, the more it grows. Depending on the type of seed you’re growing, you’ll need to know what season gives it the best chance of growing.
Fall is For Cool-Season Grasses
Plant cool-season grass like Kentucky Bluegrass or Fine Fescue in the fall because it can handle the colder weather and stay green all year. In fact, most people don’t even see growth until the soil warms up in the spring because the seeds become dormant during the winter.
Spring is For Warm-Season Grasses
Turfgrass varieties like Bermuda and Zoysia are best for the spring because they require temperatures above 60°F for germination. Planting these in the early spring, or even late spring, gives them plenty of time to grow and thrive before the temperatures start to dip down.
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6 Tips to Follow for Grass Seed Growth
Imagine a lawn that’s soft when you step on it with your bare feet. Sounds pretty sweet, right? I don’t want you just to grow grass — I want you to cultivate a lush and beautiful green new lawn. The following tips can help you do just that.
1. Ensure the Grass Gets Sun
It might sound obvious, but many homeowners think an area gets full sun when it really doesn’t. Your growing area needs at least six hours of direct sunlight for optimal growth. If you’re worried about the area not getting enough sun, choose a shade-friendly seed like creeping red fescue.
2. Plant Seeds at the Right Time
Timing is everything regarding planting grass seeds. Depending on your climate, the ideal time to plant grass seeds is early spring or early fall. This allows for moderate temperatures and consistent moisture levels, which will help your grass grow.
Use a geographical seed map to decide what grass seed is best for your location and when you should plant it.
Don’t overthink it too much. By this point, you might be so overwhelmed with information that you’re ready to throw in the towel. Just make sure you have the right seed and it’s warm enough outside. As long as you do that, you’ll be fine.
3. Provide the Right Amount of Water
Too much water isn’t good, and neither is too little water.
It’s important that you water the grass seed consistently and make sure everything stays in place. And, simply turning on the jet setting on your hose is likely to push the grass seed to a pile in the corner of your yard. You may end up with bare spots in your yard.
A nice, consistent, and gentle mist will keep the soil moist without overwatering it in various places.
4. Always Prepare the Soil
Be sure to prepare the soil — this is not a step to skip.
You’ll want to rake the grass to remove dead clippings, leaves, and twigs. Then, loosen the soil with a rake if you are planning to plant on bare soil. Mow the grass low to ensure the seed reaches the soil when overseeding an existing lawn. I recommend using top grass seed for overseeding.
Finish by lightly watering the soil ahead of time to soften it, before spreading your grass seed with a spreader.
5. Protect Your Grass Seed
Once you’ve planted your grass seed, protect it from external factors that may hinder its growth.
Avoid foot traffic and keep pets away from the area. You can use a light covering of straw or mulch to protect the seed and retain moisture. It’s important to lay the grass down properly as well, using a spreader, to avoid bare spots when the grass grows in.
You also need to keep birds and squirrels in mind. They like seeds, so protecting the grass seeds with a layer of straw will prevent them as well.
6. Don’t Fertilize Too Soon
Fertilizing is important for grass growth, but doing it too early is a huge mistake that will burn and kill the grass. Many fertilizers contain chemical compounds that are too harsh.
Wait until the grass has reached optimal mowing length before fertilizing it. For example, if you plant your grass in the early spring, it will likely be ready for fertilization by the early summer. This will help the grass develop strong roots that can absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer. For a more detailed guide on how to use fertilizer, I suggest you read Today’s Homeowner article titled The ABCs of Fertilizers.
Growth Rate After Germination
The rate of grass growth after germination can vary depending on various factors, such as the type of grass, climate, soil conditions, and maintenance practices. Generally, most grass seed germination will take about 7 to 30 days, depending on soil and weather conditions. Check out our article to see some methods for promoting rapid grass growth.
Here is a table that details what you can expect as far as growth for the top five types of grass in the U.S.:
| Grass Type | Growth Rate (Inches Per Week) |
| Bermuda Grass | 0.5–1.5 |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 1–2 |
| Zoysia Grass | .5–1 |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 1–2 |
| Tall Fescue | 1–2 |
Short Answer: It Depends…
The main thing I like homeowners to understand is that you can’t force grass to grow. You simply need to follow the steps and go through the process of introducing fertilizer, water, and sun and let nature take care of the rest.
But it’s also critically important that you choose the right grass for your region. I hope this guide helped you understand more about growing grass, and I look forward to hearing your success stories. If you’ve reached this point and still think you can’t grow grass on your own, don’t worry. These two lawn care providers offer affordable and professional services to homeowners like you:
FAQs About Grass Seed Growth
Can you grow grass in 2 weeks?
It’s possible, but unlikely, that you’ll grow grass in two weeks. It can often take up to two weeks just for the grass seedlings to germinate and sprout.
How can I make my grass grow faster?
The key to getting grass to grow quickly is creating an environment that fosters growth. This means preparing the soil by removing debris and offering lime and fertilizer amendments. Selecting the right seed and watering it deeply and infrequently will help to grow your lush lawn quickly.
When should I mow new grass seed?
Wait until the grass reached about 3–4 inches tall for the first mow of your new grass. This usually takes between four and six weeks depending on the grass you have planted and the growing conditions.
Make sure your mower is setup properly, with sharp blades, and set the blades higher than you normally would. Mow in different directions each time to encourage the grass to grow upright. Water lightly after you mow, and gradually lower the cutting height until you reach the ideal height for your healthy lawn.
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