Pensacola Bahia Grass vs. Argentine

Written by Rebecca Mathews
Updated: October 11, 2023
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Tropical grasses from South America are a great way to grow lawns on the sandy, sun-soaked south coast, plus they provide excellent pasture and soil erosion protection. There are a few species of Bahia grass and each is slightly different. Let’s take a look at Pensacola Bahia grass vs. Argentine Bahia grass.

The Main Difference Between Pensacola Bahia Grass vs. Argentine

Bahia grasses are sun-loving perennial grasses. The two species Pensacola and Argentine are popular in drought-prone areas and the main differences between them are their foliage and growing seasons.

Argentine’s foliage is dark green, dense, and has fewer seed heads so it’s a popular choice for lawns, but Pensacola starts growing early in spring, grows for a longer period than Argentine, and is better able to cope with some shade. It will also rejuvenate faster after winter dormancy.

Argentine Bahia grassPensacola Bahia grass
FoliageDark green, fine blades, fairly denseMid green with long thin blades
SeedheadsFewer seed heads than other Bahia grasses. Emerges in late summerNumerous seedheads that are taller than others. Emerges in late summer
Growing zones7-117-11
Shade toleranceNoneSome shade tolerance
Rain toleranceSome rain toleranceLittle rain tolerance
OriginsArgentinaFirst found in Florida, probable South American origins
Season of growthLate spring to early fallEarly spring to mid fall

What is Bahia Grass?

Bahia is a perennial grass in the grass family Poaceae. Its botanical name is Paspalum notatum but it’s more commonly called Bahia grass after the Brazilian state Bahia.

Bahia grass is tropical to subtropical and a frequent sight in the southeastern States where it’s used for erosion control, low maintenance drought proof lawns, and cattle forage.

It’s not native to the States, but was first introduced in 1914 from Brazil (hence the name Bahia) and used as a pasture grass for cattle. Since then, new species have been discovered and cultivars bred to suit difficult and drought-prone sandy soil.

Bahia grass also know by Paspalum notatum

Bahia grass is frequently found in the southeastern States for use in erosion control, low maintenance drought-proof lawns, and cattle forage.

©John Robert McPherson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons – License

Pensacola Bahia Grass

Pensacola is one of the most popular varieties of Bahia grass. It was founded in Pensacola, Florida in 1935, hence its name Pensacola. It copes with hot and cold weather and tends to hold its color best out of all the Bahia grasses. However, it doesn’t create such a uniform lawn because its seedings vary in appearance, so is more likely to be selected as erosion control or pasture grass.

Argentine Bahia Grass

Argentine is a popular variety of Bahia grass with dark green leaves. It’s better at tolerating rain than others but it loses its green color faster when exposed to cooler conditions.  It creates a uniform lawn and is usually chosen for home turfing.

Origins of Bahia Grass

Bahia grass is native to South America and the species Pensacola Bahia grass vs. Argentine are named after their origins. Argentine is native to Argentina and Pensacola was found in Pensacola, Florida growing around the wharf. Ed Finlayson who worked for the Escambia County Extension Service discovered it there and suggested it was a species of grass that had naturalized after being dumped. Research suggests it was dumped there in ballast brought from Argentina prior to 1926 when the wharf was destroyed.

Both Pensacola Bahia Grass vs. Argentine are naturalized in North America, which means they grow in the wild without cultivation.

Growing Zones For Pensacola Bahia Grass vs. Argentine

Bahia grass and all its cultivars are tropical and susceptible to frost. They are best grown in Zones 7-11.

Pensacola Bahia and Argentine Bahia grasses both have extensive root systems that allow them to cope with little rainfall. Argentine is a little better at coping with rain and poorly drained soil, but Pensacola is better at tolerating cold.

Pensacola is usually chosen in the northern and transition zones because although frosts damage its leaves, warm weather usually provokes a recovery. Argentine grass is better in warm and wet tropical zones.

Pensacola Bahia Grass vs. Argentine: Foliage

Both Pensacola Bahia and Argentine Bahia are green foliaged perennial grasses, but there are a few differences.

Argentine grass has dense dark green blades whereas Pensacola is paler and less dense. They’re also different in width with Pensacola grass blades a little narrower and longer.

The timing of their lush season is slightly different too. Pensacola Bahia starts growing in early spring and slows down in midsummer, whereas Argentine Bahia starts growing in late spring but continues into fall.

Both varieties suffer from the smut disease ergot, but Pensacola is slightly more resistant.

Pensacola Bahia Grass vs. Argentine Shade Tolerance

Both types of grass love the sun and do best in a hot and sandy sun-soaked area, but Pensacola copes better with shade whereas Argentine will quickly die. Something to keep in mind if there are tall trees and buildings nearby.

Pensacola Bahia Grass vs. Argentine: Seed Heads

If seed heads are a concern then Pensacola might not be the best choice for Bahia grass because it has longer denser seed heads than Argentine.

Interestingly, there is a big difference between how these two types of grass reproduce. Argentine seeds are apomixes so they’re the same as the parent plants. In contrast, Pensacola seeds are recombinators that are not always the same as the parent. This is why Argentine grass has a more uniform appearance and Pensacola is textured.

Is Pensacola Bahia Grass vs. Argentine Toxic For Dogs?

Bahia grasses are not toxic to dogs, cats, or horses and are often used as pasture for cattle.

Dog owners debate which Bahia grass is best for a lawn that’s used by dogs. Argentine grass is denser, so the majority of dog owners prefer it to keep dog paws protected.

Keep in mind that tiny grass seeds can be irritants to pets’ eyes and noses.

How To Grow Pensacola Bahia Grass vs. Argentine

Both Pensacola and Argentine Bahia grass are slow germinators, so patience is required when you’re seeding a lawn or pasture. The best time to plant Bahia seeds is spring, but fall is acceptable too.

  • The first job is weeding, destoning, and raking the soil. Removing weeds is important because Bahia grass takes up to four weeks to germinate and soil can easily be overrun with weeds before they’ve sprouted.
  • Sow one pound of Bahia seed per 100 square feet and rake it to a depth of one to two inches.
  • Water it with a fine spray and continue to water it each day until it germinates.
  • When it reaches three inches tall it’s time for the first mow.
  • Use a Bahia grass fertilizer each year to keep it looking healthy.

Why Is My Bahia Lawn Going Brown?

Pensacola and Argentine Bahia grasses are sun-loving tropicals that love heat and dislike cold and shade. If your Bahia is going brown it could be the beginning of winter dormancy. Bahia grass often turns brown in the winter months and returns to green when spring appears. Of the two, Pensacola is the best at reviving to green.

Another reason could be too much shade, Pensacola Bahia is more able to cope with shade than Argentine.

Paspalum notatum also known as Bahia grass

Bahia grass often turns brown in the winter months and returns to green when spring appears.

©Forest and Kim Starr / CC BY 2.0, Flickr – License

What Are The Disadvantages of Bahia Grass?

Because Bahia grass is so tough and spreads so quickly it requires vigorous mowing and regular blade changes. It can also reseed itself where it’s unwelcome and a 10 feet long root system is difficult to remove.

Which Is Best Pensacola Bahia Grass or Argentine?

Both Pensacola Bahia Grass and Argentine are excellent on the Southern Coastal Plain, Gulf Coast, or areas with hot temperatures and sandy soils, but which is best?

Argentine has a shorter growing season and starts up later in the year than Pensacola, but it’s denser and darker green with finer blades and fewer seedheads.

Another consideration is Argentine Bahia grass loses its color in winter several weeks faster than Pensacola grass.

Pensacola is usually chosen in the northern and transition Zones because although frosts damage its leaves, warm weather usually provokes a recovery. Argentine grass is better in warm and wet tropical Zones.

Does Pensacola Bahia Grass Make Good Hay?

Bahiagrass is typically not a recommended choice for hay production. If you aim to make hay, newer or improved varieties are better options. These varieties yield more hay than Pensacola because they grow upright, allowing you to harvest more of the available forage. Commercial hay producers need to know that bahiagrass can often take over bermudagrass fields.

Further, timothy and orchardgrass hay are packed with fiber and are considered to be the healthier options for animals such as horses. This type of hay helps horses digest their food and stay healthy.

These high-quality grasses are popular among horse owners because they provide a dependable source of forage to keep their horses in good shape.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © public domain – License / Original


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About the Author

Rebecca is a writer at A-Z Animals where her primary focus is on plants and geography. Rebecca has been writing and researching the environment for over 10 years and holds a Master’s Degree from Reading University in Archaeology, which she earned in 2005. A resident of England’s south coast, Rebecca enjoys rehabilitating injured wildlife and visiting Greek islands to support the stray cat population.

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Sources
  1. Pennington, Available here: https://www.pennington.com/all-products/grass-seed/resources/all-you-need-to-know-about-bahiagrass