How Long Does Grass Seed Take to Grow? (3-30 days)

New grass seed starts germinating within 1 week to 1 month. The time it takes for grass seed to grow depends on a few things: grass type, climate, and soil conditions.

For best results, choose a grass type fit for your area of the country, plant at the right time of year for your grass type, and keep your soil moist. We’ll hear from experts on how other factors, like pH, soil temperature, and time of year, also influence seed germination in your lawn.

If your busy spring or fall season doesn’t allow for planting a new lawn, reach out to a landscaping pro to get your new grass off to the best possible start.

Grass Seed Germination Times

Although many factors impact grass growth (more on that later), here are the standard germination times for all common cool- and warm-season grasses. 

Perennial ryegrass is the fastest germinating grass (as quickly as 3 days), with tall fescue and fine fescues not far behind. Bahia, Bermuda, buffalo, and bluegrass may take up to 30 days (or more for bahia) to germinate and start to fill in your turf.

Note: St. Augustinegrass does not grow via seed (only sprigs, plugs, or sod), so it was not included in this list.

Factors That Affect New Grass Growth

Depending on the type of grass you’re planting, the time of year, your area’s climate and weather, and your yard’s soil conditions, grass seed can take anywhere from a few days to 1 month to start sprouting. This period of time is known as germination, which is simply when a grass seed grows into a seedling (or young grass plant).

Types of Grass Seed

The most significant factor impacting grass seed germination time is the type of seed you choose, but location also matters.

Warm-season grasses work well in southern states, while cool-season grasses can survive the frigid northern winters. If you live in the transition zone (see map above), either grass type will work, depending on your climate and yard’s conditions.

Plant the wrong type for your climate zone, and you’ll end up with grass seed that doesn’t grow at all or quickly dies.

Warm-Season Grass Growth

Generally, warm-season grasses should germinate within 7 to 30 days of planting. These grass types live for hot weather (typically thriving in air temperatures from 80 F to 95 F), need lots of sun to grow, and are drought-tolerant. Warm-season grasses are largely found in the South, places like Texas, Florida, and along the lower East Coast.

Pro Tip: Look for scarified bahia seed for the fastest germination times.

Cool-Season Grass Growth

Cool-season grasses grow a bit faster, typically taking 3 to 30 days to germinate. The optimal growing conditions for cool-season grasses are air temperatures between 60 F and 75 F. You’ll find this type of grass growing in northern and upper midwestern states (e.g., Maine, New York, Nebraska, and Oregon).

“Here in New England, I mainly work with cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescues. These seeds typically take 5 to 21 days to sprout, depending on conditions,” says Frank Sturm, CEO of Green Ace Lawn Care in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

“Ryegrass is the speed demon, popping up in about 5 to 7 days, while Kentucky bluegrass takes its time at 14 to 21 days.”

Time of Year and Temperature

If you’re planting grass the traditional way (i.e., not pre-germinating) and want it to germinate as quickly as possible, align your planting time with your grass type’s growing season. Plant warm-season grasses in late spring or early summer and cool-season grasses in late summer or early fall (about 45 to 60 days before the first frost).

That’s just a general rule, but to ensure successful grass growth, check the soil temperature, too. Warm-season grasses germinate when the soil is between 65 F and 70 F. For cool-season grasses, the soil temperature should be between 50 F and 65 F. 

“Temperature plays a huge role — I’ve seen seeds germinate twice as fast when soil temperatures stay between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit,” Sturm says.

“The best time to seed varies by region, but here in New England, I strongly recommend early fall — typically late August through mid-September. The soil is still warm from summer, we usually get reliable rainfall, and there’s less competition from weeds,” says Sturm.

“Down South, they can actually seed in late spring, since their warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia thrive in the heat.”

See Related: When is the Best Time to Plant Grass Seed?

Soil Moisture and Overall Condition

The condition of your soil — including hydration level and pH — also plays a role in the time it takes for grass seed to grow.

It’s recommended to water new grass seed twice a day (early morning and early evening) for 5- to 10-minute intervals. After germination begins and the roots become established, slowly decrease watering to once per day, then every other day, to keep the soil moist. Once it’s as tall as the rest of the lawn, water 1-2 times per week.

As for your soil’s overall condition, Francis Daniels, founder and CEO of TurfPro in Bristol and Norfolk, Massachusetts, recommends testing your soil before spreading grass seed to check nutrient levels and pH. He says most lawns need a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. 

He also says properly preparing the soil by dethatching and aerating helps the grass seed have better contact with the soil, increasing the chances for successful germination.

“Creating these ideal growing conditions might take a bit more work upfront, but it’s the difference between a lawn that merely survives and one that thrives,” Daniels says.

See Related: How to Use a Soil Test Kit

Tips for Faster Grass Seed Growth

Once you choose the right grass type, plant at an ideal time of year, and optimize your pH, take these other considerations into account for faster grass growth:

• Pre-germinate your grass seed: For every day you pre-germinate (soak) the grass seed (up to about 5 days), you remove 1 day from the seed’s average germination time. So, if you soak Kentucky bluegrass for 5 days, your minimum germination time is reduced from 14 days to 9 days.
• Provide adequate sunlight: Adequate sunlight warms the soil, speeding germination.
• Limit foot traffic: Stay off the lawn until the new grass is as high as your existing lawn to avoid crushing new seedlings.
• Use starter fertilizer: Starter fertilizer provides high levels of phosphorus, important for strong root development.
• Control weeds: Hand-pull weeds while the new lawn germinates to reduce competition for water and nutrients. Putting down a layer of straw (weed-free!) also blocks the sunlight many weeds need to grow and helps regulate soil temperature.
• Use good-quality grass seed: High-quality grass seed gives your lawn a better start from day 1. Look for certified seed with close to 0% weed seed, high percentages of seed purity and germination, low inert matter, and 0% noxious weed seed.

See Related: How to Plant Grass Seed

Hire a Pro to Care For Your New Lawn

You’ve followed our advice and successfully sprouted a new lawn. Keep your yard looking its best by hiring a lawn care pro near you to mow, trim, and edge. They’ll know how to properly maintain your grass type and keep it as green as your neighbor’s envy season after season.

Main Image: Hand holding grass seeds outdoors. Image Credit: rades / Adobe Stock

Andréa Butler

Andréa Butler is a writer and editor who loves crafting witty turns of phrase and informative, compelling copy on various topics. She especially enjoys sharing her knowledge of landscaping and pest management to help others create the outdoor spaces of their dreams.

Posts by Andréa Butler