How to Choose Between Buffalo, Couch & Zoysia for Your Property

Written By Ki Thomas

Choosing the right turf variety makes a massive difference to how your lawn looks, feels, and performs long-term. Here on the Gold Coast, our climate brings heat, humidity, heavy rain, and occasional dry spells, which means not every turf type will thrive in every yard.

Buffalo, Couch, and Zoysia are the three most popular warm-season grasses in Australia, and each has its own strengths. This guide breaks down the differences so you can confidently choose the best turf for your property.

Buffalo Grass

Soft, shade-tolerant and family-friendly

Buffalo turf is one of the most common turf varieties for Gold Coast homes thanks to its comfort, shade tolerance, and strong growth habits. Modern soft-leaf Buffalo varieties (like Sir Walter) feel great underfoot and handle family use incredibly well.

Best For:

  • Shady areas

  • Family yards

  • Pets

  • Low–medium maintenance homes

Pros:

  • Excellent shade tolerance (up to 50–70%)

  • Soft, broad leaf

  • Thick growth helps block weeds

  • Great wear recovery

Cons:

  • Needs more water than Zoysia

  • Can get spongy if not maintained

  • Faster growth = more mowing

Choose Buffalo if…

You want a soft, lush lawn with good shade tolerance and plenty of durability for pets and kids.

Couch Grass

Fast-growing, loves full sun, high wear tolerance

Couch lawns (like Wintergreen or TifTuf) thrive in full sun and recover extremely well from traffic. They have fine blades, a bright green colour, and respond beautifully to regular mowing.

Best For:

  • Sunny backyards

  • Acreage

  • High-traffic areas

  • Formal, manicured lawns

Pros:

  • Excellent wear resistance

  • Fast repair and regrowth

  • Loves mowing, stays dense

  • Very drought-tolerant (especially TifTuf)

Cons:

  • Poor shade tolerance

  • Can invade garden beds if not edged

  • Needs more frequent mowing

Choose Couch if…

Your lawn gets full sun all day, and you want a fine-textured, durable turf that thrives with regular care.

Zoysia Grass

Premium look, low maintenance, extremely hardy

Zoysia varieties (Empire, Sapphire, Sir Grange) are growing fast in popularity thanks to their slow growth, beautiful appearance, and toughness. They’re more expensive upfront but save money long-term through lower maintenance.

Best For:

  • Low-maintenance homes

  • High-end landscaping

  • Coastal or sandy soils

  • Areas with mixed sun/shade

Pros:

  • Very slow-growing (less mowing!)

  • High drought and heat tolerance

  • Soft but dense

  • Great for busy homeowners

  • Superior pest and disease resistance

Cons:

  • Higher upfront cost

  • Slower initial establishment

  • Not ideal for heavy shade

Choose Zoysia if…

You want a premium, low-maintenance lawn that stays greener for longer and performs well in harsh Gold Coast conditions.

So Which One Is Best for You?

Choose Buffalo if:

You need shade tolerance + a comfortable family lawn.

Choose Couch if:

You have full sun + want durability and fast recovery.

Choose Zoysia if:

You want premium looks + low maintenance + drought tolerance.

⭐ Final Word

The “best” turf comes down to sun exposure, lifestyle, maintenance preferences, and the overall look you want. If you’re unsure, Lovelawns can assess your yard and recommend the perfect variety for long-lasting results.

Thinking about new turf? Get in touch, we install premium varieties across the Gold Coast.

Ki Thomas
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