Buffelgrass: Why This Drought-Tolerant Grass Isn’t Worth the Risk
If you’re shopping for drought-tolerant grasses, you might come across buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare, also known as buffel grass). While this perennial grass might seem like an attractive option for water-wise landscaping, there’s more to this story than meets the eye. Let’s dive into why this particular grass has become such a controversial player in American landscapes.
What Exactly Is Buffelgrass?
Buffelgrass is a clumping perennial grass that can grow up to 3 feet tall with a rapid growth rate. Originally hailing from Africa, Asia, and southern Europe, this hardy grass produces feathery, bottlebrush-like seed heads that bloom in mid-summer with yellow flowers. The foliage starts green and can turn golden-tan when the plant goes dormant, giving it a somewhat attractive appearance that might catch a gardener’s eye.
Where You’ll Find Buffelgrass
This non-native grass has established itself across multiple states including Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and several U.S. territories including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It’s particularly problematic in the southwestern United States, where it has escaped cultivation and now reproduces spontaneously in the wild.
The Problem with Buffelgrass
Here’s where things get tricky: buffelgrass is highly invasive in many regions, especially in desert ecosystems of the American Southwest. While it might seem like the perfect drought-tolerant solution for your landscape, this grass has become an ecological nightmare in places like Arizona’s Sonoran Desert.
The grass spreads both by seed (and boy, does it produce seeds – up to 260,000 seeds per pound!) and through slow vegetative spread. Once established, it can quickly dominate native plant communities and create fire hazards in desert areas that historically didn’t experience frequent fires.
Growing Conditions (If You Must Know)
Buffelgrass is incredibly adaptable, which is part of what makes it so problematic. It thrives in:
- USDA hardiness zones 8-11
- Drought conditions (high drought tolerance)
- Various soil types from coarse to fine textures
- pH levels between 6.0 and 8.5
- Areas with minimal precipitation (14-35 inches annually)
- Full sun locations (shade intolerant)
The grass is an obligate upland plant in most regions, meaning it almost never occurs in wetlands, though it shows some tolerance for wetland conditions in Hawaii.
Why You Should Skip This Grass
Despite its impressive drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements, we strongly recommend against planting buffelgrass. Here’s why:
- It’s highly invasive and can escape your garden
- It disrupts native ecosystems
- It increases fire risk in desert areas
- It provides limited wildlife and pollinator benefits
- Once established, it can be extremely difficult to remove
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of risking ecological damage with buffelgrass, consider these native alternatives based on your region:
- For the Southwest: Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), buffalo grass (Poaceae dactyloides), or desert wildrye (Leymus condensatus)
- For Mediterranean climates: Purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra) or California oatgrass (Danthonia californica)
- For the Southeast: Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) or switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
The Bottom Line
While buffelgrass might seem like an easy solution for drought-tolerant landscaping, the environmental risks far outweigh any potential benefits. This is one plant that’s better left out of your garden entirely. Stick with native grasses that provide the same drought tolerance without the ecological baggage – your local wildlife and future generations will thank you for it.
Remember, responsible gardening means considering not just what works for your landscape, but what works for your entire ecosystem. In this case, buffelgrass simply doesn’t make the cut.
