Perennial Ryegrass: Everything You Need to Know

While not as popular as certain other turfgrass varieties, perennial ryegrass has a lot going for it. This grass variety is reliable and sturdy, making it a good companion for other grasses, especially those that go dormant in the winter. If you want to quickly build a new lawn or green up your existing lawn during the cold weather, perennial ryegrass could be the right choice for you.

What Is Perennial Ryegrass?

Known by landscaping aficionados as Lolium perenne, perennial ryegrass is a cool-season grass prized for its fast germination, ability to withstand heavy foot traffic, and relatively modest maintenance needs. It also does well mixed in with other grass seed varieties, meaning it can stand alone as your primary turfgrass or work in tandem with other varieties to keep your lawn looking green and beautiful all year long.

Don’t confuse perennial ryegrass with annual ryegrass. As its name implies, perennial ryegrass comes back year after year. Annual ryegrass, on the other hand, is a one-and-done turfgrass. It’ll die out after a single season.

One important thing to keep in mind before planting perennial ryegrass is that it acts differently in different climate zones and goes dormant in both hot and cold temperatures.

Perennial Ryegrass Identification: What Does It Look Like?

Let’s be honest: when it comes to the question, “What does perennial ryegrass look like?” aesthetics are not exactly this grass variety’s strong point. Ryegrass will give your lawn a pretty pale green color, but it grows in dense clusters. This can lead to your lawn looking patchy or even messy. Ryegrass also does not spread quickly, so it can be difficult for homeowners and property managers to achieve that thick, carpet-like look that many want in their lawns.

With this said, perennial ryegrass still has a place in the lawn world. It can be the right choice for certain lawns or property managers who need fast-establishing grass to take over bare spots in the lawn.

When to Plant Perennial Ryegrass for Optimal Growth

Perennial ryegrass should be planted in late summer or early fall in most regions. You can also plant ryegrass in the spring, though you might not get as good results.

One of the neat things about perennial ryegrass is that it can play a role in lawns throughout the country. If you live in the cool-season zone or transition zone of the country, you can choose perennial ryegrass as your primary turfgrass. The grass will go dormant in the winter but will come back in the spring, giving you a low-maintenance lawn that also resists pests and diseases.

The story is a little different if you live in the South. In this region, you are likely to plant warm-season grass, like Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue. The problem is that these grasses tend to go dormant in the winter. That’s where perennial ryegrass can really shine. Many homeowners in the South plant a mixture of warm-season grass seeds and perennial ryegrass seeds. When the warm-season grass turns brown in the winter, perennial ryegrass will stay green, helping to keep the lawn looking great year-round. When summer heats up, the perennial ryegrass will go dormant, and the warm-season grasses will take up the aesthetic baton.

You might be wondering, “When does perennial ryegrass die?” Remember, perennial ryegrass shouldn’t die. It may look dead during a hot summer or cold winter, but it’s merely dormant. It should revive in the cooler weather of the spring and fall.

Does perennial ryegrass die in the summer? Usually not. That said, in certain areas of the country, an especially cold winter or blazing summer can kill this grass variety.

Perennial Ryegrass Seed: What You Need to Know

One of the biggest benefits of using perennial ryegrass seed for your lawn is that it will quickly establish. This makes it a great choice if you have bare or thin patches on your lawn or want to plant quick-growing ground cover on a slope on your property.

In fact, you can expect perennial ryegrass seeds to transform into a mowable lawn in roughly three weeks. That’s much faster than most other types of turfgrass, including some that can take as long as eight to 10 weeks to fully establish.

Keep in mind that while perennial ryegrass seed establishes quickly, it doesn’t spread very fast. You’ll want to plant plenty of seeds in order to get good coverage, especially if you don’t use a seed mix.

How to Care for Perennial Ryegrass Year-Round

Though perennial ryegrass is known for its no-fuss, low-maintenance needs, you’ll still want to give it some TLC. Mow whenever the grass is active, usually during the spring and fall months, and keep it around one and a half to two and a half inches. This grass doesn’t do well in dry climates, so water regularly. Try to give your lawn at least one inch of water per week.

Fertilize regularly in the spring and fall seasons. If you live in the South, you’ll want to continue mowing and watering regularly in the winter. For those in colder climates, allow your perennial ryegrass to go dormant when the cold weather hits.

Keep Your Lawn Lush with Perennial Ryegrass Care

The best way to care for perennial ryegrass will depend on your region and whether or not it’s used in combination with other turfgrass varieties. If you aren’t sure how to take care of your perennial ryegrass or if you simply don’t have the time, consider hiring a professional landscaping company like The Grounds Guys®.

We have local teams of service professionals throughout the United States that understand the particular needs of each region. We know how to work with perennial ryegrass and seed mixes to ensure your lawn looks its best throughout the year. We’re proud to offer both residential and commercial landscaping and lawn care.

Request a free quote today.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. The Grounds Guys are not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact The Grounds Guys location nearest you for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.