Grass choice here is narrowed by a county restriction before climate is even considered.
University of Nevada, Reno Extension publishes both the restriction and the adaptation.
One species carries a county restriction
Common bermudagrass cannot be planted in Clark County due to allergies from its pollen production.
That is a restriction on the species itself, not a recommendation, and it applies regardless of how
well the grass would otherwise perform.
What is adapted to the heat
Of the cool-season grasses suitable for residential landscapes, tall fescue tolerates desert summer
heat the best and can easily be established from seed. Turf-type tall fescue has proven to be the most
popular lawngrass in the transition zone of the Mojave Desert.
Warm-season grasses named for the urban Mojave Desert include hybrid bermudagrass, zoysiagrass,
buffalograss, seashore paspalum and St. Augustine grass. That regional list must be read together with
the Clark County restriction above.
When each type is established
| Grass type | Method | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-season | Seed or sprigs | April through June |
| Warm-season | Sod | Extends to the beginning of August |
| Cool-season | Seed | February to March, and mid-September to mid-October |
Sources
- UNR Extension FS-11-54 (Morris & Devitt, 2011) — extension.unr.edu FS-11-54 (read 2026-07-30)
- UNR Extension FS-11-52 (Morris & Devitt, 2011) — extension.unr.edu FS-11-52 (read 2026-07-30)
By the Las Vegas Landscape Pros Editorial Team. Reviewed for Mojave Desert landscaping accuracy.
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