Palmetto buffalo turf is a soft-leaf buffalo lawn grass, sold as rolls, that grows a dense, broad-bladed carpet and copes with more shade than most warm-season lawns. It belongs to the St Augustine grass group (Stenotaphrum secundatum), which Australian growers market as soft leaf buffalo.
Key points
- Palmetto soft leaf buffalo is a warm-season turf with a softer, broader leaf than coarse buffalo varieties, so it feels good underfoot.
- It suits Sydney’s humid summers and tolerates part shade, but it still needs a few hours of direct light to stay thick.
- Turf laying in Sydney typically costs about $17 to $46 per m², with $29 as the usual figure (October 2026).
- Check the roll label and ask your supplier about local performance before you order, because growth habit varies by farm and season (indicative — check the supplier’s specifications).
How palmetto buffalo turf works
This lawn spreads on above-ground runners, so it knits together and fills gaps without much help.
- Runners creep across the soil surface and root at the nodes, which is why a laid roll thickens and repairs small bare patches in warm weather.
- The broad, soft blade holds a deep green colour through spring and summer, then slows and may fade in a cold Sydney winter.
- Growth is strongest from spring to early autumn, so lay new rolls then and water them in line with Sydney Water’s Water Wise Guidelines.
- The turf copes with part shade better than many couch and zoysia types, though a lawn under a dense jacaranda in the Inner West will still thin out.
- It prefers regular feeding with a lawn fertiliser used exactly as the product label directs, and it needs regular mowing to stay tidy.
Where palmetto soft leaf buffalo is used
- Shaded backyards where couch has struggled, such as south-facing yards between tall fences in the Hills District.
- Family lawns that need a soft, cushioned feel for kids and pets to play on.
- Front lawns that need a lush, even look and a deep green colour in the warmer months.
- Strata gardens and courtyards that receive a mix of morning sun and afternoon shade.
- Replacement lawns after a tired kikuyu or old buffalo lawn is stripped back to soil.
Palmetto buffalo turf specs and costs
Suppliers list their own roll sizes and growth figures, so we only quote verified Sydney price ranges here.
| Item | Typical Sydney range (October 2026) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Turf laying | $17 to $46 per m², typically $29 | Supply and laying, including GST. |
| Mowing, small lawn (up to 100 m²) | $45 to $100 per visit, typically $60 | Regular mowing once the lawn is established. |
| Mowing, medium lawn (100 to 250 m²) | $65 to $150 per visit, typically $100 | Regular mowing once the lawn is established. |
| Edging and trimming add-on | $20 to $50, typically $25 | Keeps runners out of garden beds. |
| Leaf blade and growth habit | Varies by farm (indicative — check the supplier’s specifications) | Ask for the variety name on the delivery docket. |
Palmetto buffalo turf care basics
- Water newly laid rolls in the morning, before 10 am or after 4 pm, and use a hose with an instant on-off trigger nozzle.
- Never leave a hose running unattended, and keep overspray off paths and driveways, as the Water Wise Guidelines require.
- Mow with a sharp blade, and wear eye and hearing protection and closed shoes. Never mow wet slopes.
- Powered mowers and blowers must not be heard inside a neighbour’s habitable room before 7 am or after 8 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, or before 8 am on Sundays and public holidays.
- Follow the label on any weed killer or fertiliser, and keep children and pets off treated areas until the label says it is safe.
Related terms
- Soft leaf buffalo: a group of buffalo-type lawns with a finer, softer blade; see our buffalo lawn guide.
- Sir Grange zoysia: a fine-bladed warm-season lawn that is a different grass altogether; see Sir Grange zoysia.
- Empire zoysia: a hard-wearing zoysia lawn compared in Empire zoysia turf.
- Kikuyu: a fast, aggressive runner lawn covered in our kikuyu turf guide.
- Wintergreen grass: a lawn choice for winter colour, explained in wintergreen grass.
- Tall fescue: a cool-season turf with a different care routine, covered in tall fescue.
FAQ: palmetto buffalo turf questions
What is palmetto soft leaf buffalo?
Palmetto soft leaf buffalo is a soft-bladed, warm-season lawn grass in the St Augustine group, sold as turf rolls in Australia. It forms a dense green mat, handles part shade well and feels softer underfoot than coarse buffalo varieties.
Does palmetto buffalo turf grow in shade?
It tolerates part shade better than most warm-season lawns, but it still needs some direct sun each day. Under dense trees or in a narrow side passage it will thin out, so check how much light the spot gets before you order any rolls.
How much does palmetto buffalo turf cost in Sydney?
Turf laying in Sydney typically costs about $17 to $46 per m², with $29 as the usual figure (October 2026). Your final price depends on the variety, site access, soil preparation and the size of the area, so ask for an itemised quote.
Next steps for your Sydney lawn
Read our guide to comparing turf varieties before you commit to a roll. When you are ready for mowing, edging and tidy-ups, talk to us about our Sydney services and we will look after the lawn for you.
