8 Best Grass Seeds (Reviews for 2025)

Selecting The Right Grass Seed For Your Lawn

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Many homeowners strive for that elusive green lawn but aren’t sure what the best grass seeds you should plant in your region.

If you’re looking for the best grass seed for a new lawn, plan to Reserve your lawn, or Patch some bare spots, you’ve come to the right place.

Today, we share our Reviews of the best grass seeds to buy. These seeds will help you grow grass fast and achieve the perfect emerald-green lawn in your climate.

Before Viewing the Best Grass Seed for New Lawns – Check Out the Grass “Hardiness Zone” Map Below: 

First, Find your Zone,

Then refer to the grass seed choices in our review and determine if your zone will accommodate that grass seed choice.

The 8 Best Grass Seeds To Buy In 2025:

Editor’s Choice:   Jonathan Green 10322 Black Beauty

Jonathan Green (10322) Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed - Cool Season Lawn Seed (7 lb)

Why We Like It

This mix gets our vote for the best overall grass seed. It features a blend of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial rye, and black beauty tall fescue.

The Jonathan Green Black Beauty is blended explicitly to grow dark, lush green grass, creating perfect depth and color for your lawn.

Specs

  • 7-pound bag
  • Covers up to 2,800 square feet
  • Rated for partial shade to full sun
  • Suitable for clay soil
  • Drought and disease-resistant

Our Take Away

Overall, Jonathan’s mix is a versatile solution for a wide range of lawns. It can easily improve any property and grow a robust, healthy bed of grass.

Best Application for Growing

  • All Growing Zones
  • Partial Shade or Sun Exposure
  • Germination TIme – 7 – 14 days*

JONATHAN GREEN GRASS SEED

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>


Runner Up – Best Grass Seed:   Pennington “Smart Seed”

Pennington Smart Seed 100086839 Sun and Shade Seeds

Why We Like It

Pennington Smart Seed will produce thick, healthy grass while using less water.

According to the manufacturer, this intelligent grass seed blend requires up to 30 percent less water than comparable mixes from other brands, making it a perfect solution in dry climates.

Pennington’s Smart Seed mix is also highly resistant to insects and fungus, which helped make it one of our top choices in our best grass seed reviews.

Specs

  • 7-pound bag
  • Covers up to 3,330 square feet
  • Low water requirements
  • Grows in the sun or shade

Our Take Away

Pennington Smart Seed grows new grass in various conditions, from intensive patch repair to complete seeding of a new lawn. Our reviews found this seed germinates quickly and grows well in multiple climates and sun or shade.

Best Application for Growth:

  • Any Growing Zone
  • Sun or Shade Exposure
  • Very drought tolerant
  • Germination Time: 7-14 days *

PENNINGTON GRASS SEED

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>


Best Grass Seed for Shade:   Scotts Turf Builder Dense Shade

Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Dense Shade Mix with Fertilizer and Soil Improver, Grows With Little Sunlight, 5.6 lbs.

Why We Like It

Many homeowners struggle with “how to plant grass in the shade.” One of the biggest challenges of maintaining a healthy lawn is getting grass to grow and thrive in low-light conditions.

However, with Scott’s Turf builder for a dense shade mix, you can get a thick, healthy lawn, even in areas without sunlight. We’re also big fans of the seed coating used in this blend, which helps the seeds retain additional water.

Specs

  • Tall fescue blend
  • 3-pound bag
  • Water absorbent coating
  • Grows with as little as 3 hours of direct sunlight per day

Our Take Away

But Scott’s Dense Shade mix is a low-light grass seed blend that works well. This seed blend is a great place to start if you’re trying to get the darker areas of your lawn back into proper shape.

Best Application for Growth

  • Transition Regions –  Best for Growing Zone 6 & 7
  • Requires only 3 hours of sunlight per day
  • Germination Time: 6 – 21 days *

SCOTT’S GRASS SEED

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>


VIDEO:  How To Plant Grass Seed


Fastest Growing Grass Seed:   Jonathan Green 10840

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Why We Like It:

Whether your lawn has suffered from winter draught or you’re patching bare spots, fast germination times are essential to fix a lawn quickly.

This blend from Jonathan Green germinates in just 5 -14 days, ensuring that your yard will recover as quickly as possible. It is suitable for both sun and shade conditions.

Specs:

  • Germinates in 14 days or less
  • Covers up to 1,500 square feet
  • Fast-growing
  • Great for rapid patch repair

Our Take Away:

Our review found that this Jonathan Green grass seed mix is excellent for overseeding and starting new lawns in various conditions.

Thanks to its versatility, this seed is a beautiful option for people who usually have difficulty growing grass in their yards.

Best Application for Growth:

  • Northern and Transitional Climates
  • Sun or Shade Exposure
  • Germination Time: 5-14 Days *

JONATHAN GRASS SEED

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>


Best Grass Seed for Lawn Repair:   Scotts EZ Seed

Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade Mulch, Grass Seed, Fertilizer Combination for Bare Spots and Repair, 20 lb

Why We Like It

Sometimes, lawns need more than patching; this is when Scotts EZ Seed repair mix comes into play. With mulch, seed, and fertilizer mixed into a single product, this grass seed blend practically ensures grass will grow, even in difficult spots.

Also, if you live in a hotter climate, Scott’s EZ seed is considered a favorite for patching St. Augustine Grass. It works to repair bare patches or boost the growth of St. Augustine grass plugs.

Thanks to the seed blend, this mix will grow in light conditions.

Specs

  • 20-pound bag
  • It covers up to 445 square feet
  • Includes mulch, fertilizer, and grass seed
  • Will grow in dense shade

Our Take Away

Although this mix requires a lot to tackle a relatively small area, it’s one of the most powerful tools for repairing your lawn.

If large sections of your lawn need repair, a few bags of Scott’s EZ seed Repair, with a mulch and fertilizer blend, will help you get your yard back on course quickly.

Best Applications for Growth:

  • All Zones
  • Sun or Shade
  • Germination Time – 10-14 days *

SCOTTS EZ GRASS SEED

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>


Best Grass Seed Patch Kit:  Scotts Thick’R Lawn

Scotts Turf Builder THICK'R LAWN Grass Seed, Fertilizer, and Soil Improver for Sun & Shade, 1,200 sq. ft., 12 lbs.

Why We Like It

A great performer in sunny or shaded conditions, Scott’s Thick’R Lawn grass seed is a versatile, all-in-one seeding product. 

It includes grass seed, fertilizer, and soil, ensuring the grass seed will germinate quickly and thrive on the added nutrients.

Specs

  • Grass seed, soil, and fertilizer combination
  • The bag Covers up to 1,200 square feet
  • It greatly improves lawn thickness

Our Take Away

In our opinion, Scott’s Thick’R Lawn seed and soil blend is a secret lawncare weapon any novice homeowner should keep handy.

While it’s great for any application, it stands out as the best grass seed for overseeding and keeping weeds at bay.

If your lawn needs some extra thickness to look its best, consider using Scotts Thick’R Lawn for quick, effective results.

Best Application for Growing:

  • All Growing Zones
  • Great for Patching – Includes soil, fertilizer, and grass seed
  • Germination Time: 8 -14 days *

SCOTTS THICK-R-LAWN – GRASS SEED

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>


Best “Bermuda” – Grass Seed Repair:   Pennington One-Step Complete

Pennington One Step Complete Bare Spot Repair Grass Seed Mix For Bermudagrass Areas, 8.3 lb

Why We Like It

Bermuda grass isn’t always easy to maintain because it is primarily grown in Southern states and scorching climates. We’re pleased that Pennington developed a Bermuda grass seed product for patching Bermuda lawns.

With fertilizer included, Pennington’s One Step Complete allows new Bermuda grass seed to germinate quicker and blend into any existing lawn.

Specs

  • 8.3-pound bag
  • Covers up to 125 square feet
  • Rated for full sun

Our Take Away

In our view, Pennington One Step Complete Bermudagrass solves the problem of caring for bermudagrass lawns and saves a lot of work in growing a lawn fast.

Pennington One-Step Complete is also among the best grass seeds for full-sun areas.

Best Applications for Growth

  • Use for Bermuda Grass Lawns Only
  • Growing zones 10 & 11 (only)
  • Sun or Shade Exposure
  • Germination Time: 12-14 days *

PENNINGTON ONE-STEP GRASS SEED

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>


Best “Heat Tolerant” Grass Seed:   “Zenith” Zoysia Grass Seed

Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed (2 Lb.) 100% Pure Seed Grown by Patten Seed Company

Why We Like It

Although grasses are hardy naturally, extreme heat often gets the best of them.

However, Zoysia grass is one of the best-rated grass seeds for hotter climates, and that is why Zenith Zoysia brand grass seed rounds out our review of the best seeding products for Hot climates.

While Bermuda grass is a clear favorite for hot climates, it mostly looks and feels like crabgrass.

If you want a more attractive, thinner blade of grass and a thick, lush, hardy lawn in blazing hot climates, Zoysia grass is one of the best options you can plant.

Growing Zoysia Grass Seed
Lush “Zenith Zoysia” Lawn

Specs

  • 2-pound bag
  • Covers up to 2,000 square feet
  • Heat and cold-tolerant
  • Grows in full sun to light shade

Our Take Away

Zenith Zoysia grass seed grows a gorgeous and thick lawn. With that said, zoysia is a more challenging variety of seeds to germinate than others, meaning you’ll have to control conditions carefully to establish your new grass.

Once it’s mature, though, zoysia grass is a tough, hardy grass that will keep your lawn looking great year after year.

Best Application for Growth

  • Sun or Partial Shade Exposure
  • To Grow in Zones 7 & 8 – plant between June – August
  • To Grow in Zone 9  – plant between May – September
  • To Grow in Zone 10 and warmer – plant year-round
  • Germination Time: 14 – 21 days *

ZENITH ZOYSIA GRASS SEED

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>

*Note: The manufacturer estimates seed germination times. Actual seed germination will occur based on your soil conditions, available sunlight, water, and temperature.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Best Time To Grow Grass from Seed?

As a rule of thumb, the best time and “air temperature” to grow grass seed is between 60 – 70 degrees.

Cool-climate grasses (Rye, Kentucky Blue, Fescue) can be planted at temperatures as low as 55 degrees, and warm-weather grasses (Zoysia & Bermuda) can germinate in air temperatures up to 80 degrees.

Can You Throw Grass Seed on Thin Areas of Existing Lawns?

“Overseeding” describes casting new grass seed over parts of a lawn that are sparse with grass. 

Ideally, you should lightly rake the lawn in the area you intend to overseed first and follow the overseed with light watering 4-5 times weekly over the next two weeks or until you see the new grass has germinated (grown).

What Is the Best Grass Seed for Shade?

As noted in our review above, the best grass seed for shade we’ve found is Scotts Turf Builder Dense Shade.

This seed mix can grow in as little as 3 hours of sun per day and outperforms even the most dense shade seed products.

What Is the Best Grass Seed for a New Lawn?

In our opinion, Jonathan Green Black Beauty is the best grass seed for establishing a new lawn, overseed or patched. Because Black Beauty grass seed is a mix of Kentucky blue, Rye, and Fescue, it is engineered to grow thick, dark green lawns.

This grass seed blend is also perfect for establishing a new property from scratch.

If you select this seed, you’ll be amazed at how good your new lawn looks once the grass is mature.

How Long Does It Take Grass Seed to Germinate?

With the proper amount of sunshine and watering, most gras seeds germinate between five and seven days, with slow-growing varieties taking up to 21 days.

Check the seed product you plan to use for detailed germination and growing time information.

What is the fastest-growing grass seed?

Based on our reviews, the fastest-growing grass seed is the Jonathan Green 10820 blend. With germination occurring in 5-10 days, this grass seed will quickly lead you to a new lawn.


Conclusion

As you can see, many options exist for finding the right grass seed for your lawn. However, it is essential to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for planting the grass seed type at the recommended temperature range.

Our reviews found that Jonathan Green Black Beauty, Scotts Thick’R Lawn Patch, and Scotts Turf Builder Dense Shade were the best grass seed options, depending on where you live and what you hope to achieve.

Remember that different grass seeds respond better or worse to hot or cold temperatures and sun or shade. 

The successful germination and growth of grass seed will depend on the available sunshine, temperatures, and precipitation you provide. 

Don’t forget to use proper lawn mowing methods to ensure your grass stays healthy!

Good luck growing your new lawn. Please be sure to leave us a comment below. Thanks again for visiting BesthomeGear.com.

Additional References and Further Reading:

Kevin
Kevinhttps://www.besthomegear.com/
As publisher at Best Home Gear, Kevin draws on 25+ years in Construction, Real Estate, and Property Management, and since 2018 has published DIY advice for Home, Lawn, and Garden Improvements. Your feedback helps us grow and lets other homeowners discover our site. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts in the Comments Section below!

Thanks for Visiting Best Home Gear - Your One-Stop-Shop for Expert DIY Guides and the Best Products and Equipment Reviews for Your Home.

Image of Kevin Carroll, author and publisher @ Besthomegear.com
Kevin:  Author and Publisher at Best Home Gear

As the publisher at Best Home Gear, Kevin draws on 25+ years in construction, real estate, and property management, providing DIY advice for home, lawn, and garden improvements and expert Product Reviews.

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