Best Shade Grass Seed of 2026

Steven Taylor Avatar
Steven Taylor
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2026

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Shade grass seed is a must-have for anyone with a lawn that doesn't get much sunlight. This type of grass is specifically designed to grow in shady areas and requires less sunlight than other types of grass. It's perfect for lawns that are surrounded by trees or buildings that block out the sun. Shade grass seed is also known for its ability to withstand drought and heat, making it a great choice for areas with hot summers. With its lush green color and durability, shade grass seed is a great investment for any homeowner looking to improve their lawn's appearance and health.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade Mulch, Grass Seed, Fertilizer Combination Cover #TOP 1
Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade Mulch, Grass Seed, Fertilizer Combination
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix Cover #TOP 2
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade Grass Mix Bag 7 lb Cover #TOP 3
Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade Grass Mix Bag 7 lb
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 9 Shade Grass Seed

Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade Mulch, Grass Seed, Fertilizer Combination

Scotts - 17508
Brown
3.75 lb.
Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade Mulch, Grass Seed, Fertilizer Combination Cover
Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade Mulch, Grass Seed, Fertilizer Combination for Bare Spots and Repair, 3.75 lb, Brown

Scotts EZ Seed Sun and Shade is a convenient solution for filling bare spots and repairing lawn damage. This product combines high-performance grass seed, expanding mulch, controlled-release fertilizer, and seed protectant. It is suitable for tough conditions like full sun, dense shade, high traffic areas, and slopes. You can plant the seed in spring or fall when temperatures are ideal. With EZ Seed Sun and Shade, you can easily cover up to 85 sq. ft. in 3 simple steps, making lawn care hassle-free for you.

What We Like
Effective grass regrowth
Works in shaded areas
Quick sprouting time
Improved lawn appearance
Easy to apply

Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix

18055-1
Green
5.6 lb.
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix Cover
Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix with Fertilizer and Soil Improver, Thrives in Many Conditions, 5.6 lbs.

The Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix is a lawn care product that contains a combination of grass seed, fertilizer, and soil improver to help establish deep roots for a thick, green lawn. It thrives in a variety of conditions and provides root-building nutrition for a stronger lawn. This grass seed mix should be planted in spring or fall when air temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 80°F and should be watered daily or as needed to keep the soil moist for at least 3 weeks or until seedlings reach 2 inches in height. The 5.6 lb. bag covers 745 sq. ft. when seeding a new lawn or 2,240 sq. ft. when overseeding an existing lawn.

What We Like
Fast germination and growth
Works in sun or shade
Thick, lush lawn results
Resistant to heat and drought
Effective for pet-damaged areas
#TOP 3

Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade Grass Mix Bag 7 lb

100543703
Green
7 LB
Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade Grass Mix Bag 7 lb Cover
Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade Grass Mix Bag 7 lb

Pennington Smart Seed Dense Shade Grass Mix 7 lb is a perfect mix of Tall Fescue and Fine Fescue to thrive in shady conditions. This grass seed is disease and traffic-resistant for a strong, durable lawn and requires only 2 to 6 hours of sunlight. It is guaranteed to grow and customers can see results in 8 to 16 days. This bag covers up to 1,750 sq. ft.

What We Like
Lush growth in shaded areas
High seed germination rate
Withstands foot traffic
Works in difficult conditions
Coated seeds for moisture retention

Scotts PatchMaster Lawn Repair Mix Sun + Shade Mix

032247149051
4.75 lb
Scotts PatchMaster Lawn Repair Mix Sun + Shade Mix Cover
Scotts PatchMaster Lawn Repair Mix Sun + Shade Mix, Combination Grass Seed, Fertilizer, and Mulch, 4.75 lbs.

Scotts Lawn Repair Mix is an all-in-one solution for repairing bare spots in your yard. This ready-to-grow mix combines grass seed, mulch, and fertilizer, making it convenient and efficient. With its fast-growing formula, you can expect to see results in as few as 7 days. The mix is designed to adapt to both sunny and shady conditions, thanks to its mixture of premium Perennial Ryegrasses, Fine Fescues, and Kentucky Bluegrass. The 100% recycled mulch helps keep the seeds moist and in place, while the fertilizer promotes fast growth and thick results. This product covers up to 140 sq. ft., providing ample coverage for your lawn repair needs.

What We Like
Fast germination
Strong growth
Good for sun and shade
Includes fertilizer and mulch
Easy to apply
#TOP 5

Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Grass Mix 3 lb

100543718
Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Grass Mix 3 lb Cover
Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Grass Mix 3 lb

The Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Grass Mix 3 lb is an ideal grass seed for lawns that receive sun in some parts and moderate shade in others. This mix features a combination of Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue to ensure survival in both sun and shade. It also contains the perfect amount of fertilizer to help your lawn succeed and is guaranteed to grow. Customers have had great success with this product, with some seeing growth in as little as 8 days and others noticing a drastic improvement in their lawns. Although some have experienced difficulty in hot, dry climates, overall this product has been a great success.

What We Like
Fast-growing
Thrives in dry conditions
Produces thick and lush grass
#TOP 6

Scotts EZ Seed Dog Spot Repair Sun and Shade

17530
Brown
2 lb.
Scotts EZ Seed Dog Spot Repair Sun and Shade Cover
Scotts EZ Seed Dog Spot Repair Sun and Shade, Combination Mulch, Grass Seed Mix and Soil Amendment to Neutralize and Repair Pet Spots, 2 lbs.

Scotts EZ Seed Dog Spot Repair Sun and Shade is a combination of high performance grass seed, mulch, soil amendment, tackifier, and protectant that repairs areas burned by dog urine and minimizes the effects of salts from dog urine. It repairs up to 100 dog spots in your lawn in 3 easy steps.

What We Like
Special salt neutralizer formula minimizes the effects of salts from dog urine
Repairs up to 100 dog spots in your lawn in 3 easy steps
Consists of a combination of high performance grass seed, mulch, soil amendment, tackifier, and protectant
Ideal for urine spots, high traffic areas, and damage from digging
Pet-friendly and suitable for outdoor use

Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix

100543723
natural
Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix Cover
Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix for Southern Lawns 7 lb

The Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix is ideal for southern lawns that receive sun in some parts and moderate shade in others. This grass seed contains just the right amount of fertilizer to help your lawn succeed and can survive in hot, humid and harsh conditions. It can save users up to 30% more water year after year compared to ordinary grass seed. The product is guaranteed to grow, and users can see results in 8 to 21 days. Each 7 lb. bag can cover up to 1,750 sq. ft.

What We Like
Effective in shaded areas
Resilient during drought
Easy application process
Germination within a week
Good for low-traffic zones

Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix 7 lb

100543729
Green
7 lb
Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix 7 lb Cover
Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix 7 lb

The Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix 7 lb is a premium tall fescue that produces a dense and lush lawn. It has thicker and deeper roots that can withstand drought, heat, insects, and heavy traffic. The grass grows well in partial shade to full sun and in a wide range of soils. This product guarantees to grow and can show results in 8 to 16 days, covering up to 1,750 sq. ft.

What We Like
Grows well with deep roots
Tolerates heat and challenging conditions
Prevents soil erosion
#TOP 9

Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed - Cool Season Lawn Seed

JG - 10322 - 7lb #2
seeds
7 lb
Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed - Cool Season Lawn Seed Cover
Jonathan Green (10322) Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed - Cool Season Lawn Seed (7 lb)

Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra Grass Seed is a mix of tall fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass that establishes new lawns and fills in bare spots quickly. This grass seed mix produces a dense, healthy, and attractive turf with a dark-green color. It retains moisture, withstands heavy traffic, and requires full sun to partial shade. A 7 lb bag can seed up to 1,400 sq. ft. for new lawns and 2,800 sq. ft. for overseeding.

What We Like
Fast establishment of newly seeded lawns
Rapidly fills in bare spots to invigorate thin or damaged lawns
Dense, healthy, and attractive turf with a dark-green color
Retains moisture and withstands heavy traffic
7 lb bag can seed up to 1,400 sq. ft. for new lawns and 2,800 sq. ft. for overseeding
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best grass seed for shade?

Fine fescues have the greatest shade tolerance among common cool-season grasses, while tall fescues do well in moderate shade. Perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass need more sun, but some varieties tolerate light shade well.

2. Is there a grass that will grow in full shade?

For cool-season areas, grass that grows in shade would be Ryegrass and Fine and Tall Fescues, as they offer the most shade tolerance. They require four hours of sun minimum to survive. Warm-season grasses that grow in some shade include Zoysiagrass and St. Augustinegrass.

3. Does shade grass seed really work?

The shade can reduce photosynthesis, which weakens the plant, weakens the root growth. You'll also have to understand that underneath the tree, there are roots on the tree, also, and the tree and the grass roots are competing.

Editor's Notes

During our shade grass seed research, we found 24 shade grass seed products and shortlisted 9 quality products. We collected and analyzed 273,665 customer reviews through our big data system to write the shade grass seed list. We found that most customers choose shade grass seed with an average price of $17.09.

The shade grass seed are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of shade grass seed, including Scotts, Pennington, Jonathan Green. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Steven Taylor Avatar

Steven Taylor grew up in a small town called Beaufort in South Carolina and his passion for building and woodworking has led him to master the latest garden gadgets. He always holds every chance to patch up or sand down his beloved garden. There are various novel technologies in his articles.