Best Shade Grass Seed of 2025

Steven Taylor Avatar
Steven Taylor
Last Updated: Jan 7, 2025

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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

Jonathan Green Black Beauty Dense Shade Grass Seed Cover #TOP 1
Jonathan Green Black Beauty Dense Shade Grass Seed
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Jonathan Green JOG10600 40600 Dense Shade Grass Seed Cover #TOP 2
Jonathan Green JOG10600 40600 Dense Shade Grass Seed
ftb score rating icon 9.8
X-Seed Moisture Boost Plus Deep Shade Lawn Seed Mixture Cover #TOP 3
X-Seed Moisture Boost Plus Deep Shade Lawn Seed Mixture
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Shade Grass Seed

#TOP 1

Jonathan Green Black Beauty Dense Shade Grass Seed

10622
Brown
1 lb
Jonathan Green Black Beauty Dense Shade Grass Seed Cover
Jonathan Green (10622) Black Beauty Dense Shade Grass Seed - Cool Season Lawn Seed (1 lb)

Jonathan Green Black Beauty Dense Shade Grass Seed is perfect for lawns with limited sunlight penetration, producing a healthy, dense, and attractive turf with a dark-green color. The seed mixture germinates and establishes quickly, containing four families of cool-season turfgrasses for versatility in shady to partial sun lawns. This 1 lb bag can seed up to 300 sq. ft. for new lawns and up to 600 sq. ft. for overseeding. It also reduces water and fertilizer requirements.

What We Like
Germinates and establishes quickly
Contains four families of cool-season turfgrasses for versatility
Reduces water and fertilizer requirements
#TOP 2

Jonathan Green JOG10600 40600 Dense Shade Grass Seed

JOG10600
Green
3-pound
Jonathan Green JOG10600 40600 Dense Shade Grass Seed Cover
Jonathan Green JOG10600 40600 Dense Shade Grass Seed, 3 lb, 3-Pound

This 3-pound bag of Jonathan Green JOG10600 40600 Dense Shade Grass Seed can cover up to 1,800 square feet, providing you with 100% superior grass seed. Perfect for those shady areas around your property, this grass seed is sure to give you the lush, green lawn you've been dreaming of.

What We Like
Can cover up to 1,800 square feet
100% superior grass seed
Perfect for shady areas

X-Seed Moisture Boost Plus Deep Shade Lawn Seed Mixture

20257
3 lb.
X-Seed Moisture Boost Plus Deep Shade Lawn Seed Mixture Cover
X-Seed Deep Shade Mix Lawn Seed Mixture - Dense Shade Grass Seed - Grass Seed for Shade and Hard to Grow Areas - Moisture Boost Plus Locks in Moisture - Shade and Sun Grass Seed - 3lbs - 1,800 Sq Ft

X-Seed Deep Shade Lawn Seed is a high-quality grass seed mixture that covers up to 1,800 square feet for existing lawns and 900 square feet for new lawns. This grass seed mixture is polymer coated, which helps retain water, making it perfect for those who live in areas with poor soil conditions. This feature enhances germination, allowing your lawn to grow thicker and healthier. With X-Seed Deep Shade Lawn Seed, you can have a lush green lawn even in areas with limited sunlight. This grass seed mixture is perfect for those who want to improve the look and health of their lawn without spending a lot of time or effort.

What We Like
Water retention
Poor soil performance
Enhanced germination

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
Thrives in many conditions
Convenient and easy to use
Results in a few weeks

Pennington 100543718 Smart Seed Sun and Shade Grass Mix 3 lb

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

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 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: Seeds up to 85 sq. ft., 3.75 pounds

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
Convenient all-in-one solution
Suitable for tough conditions
Easy application in 3 steps
#TOP 7

GreenView Grass Seed Dense Shade Mixture - 3 lbs.

2829342
Green
3 lb. Bag
GreenView Grass Seed Dense Shade Mixture - 3 lbs. Cover
GreenView Fairway Formula Grass Seed Dense Shade Mixture - 3 lb. Bag

The GreenView Fairway Formula Grass Seed Dense Shade Mixture is perfect for lawns that receive 4-6 hours of filtered sun per day, providing superior resistance to drought, insects, disease, heat, and heavy traffic. The uncoated seed ensures maximum coverage with fast germination in as little as 7 days. The 3 lbs. bag covers 750 sq. ft. for a new lawn and 1,500 sq. ft. for overseeding an existing lawn. For best results, pair with GreenView Fairway Formula Seeding Success for guaranteed germination.

What We Like
Fast seed germination in as little as 7 days
Superior resistance to drought, insects, disease, heat, and heavy traffic
Uncoated seed ensures maximum coverage
#TOP 8

Creeping Red Fescue Seed by Eretz (3lb)

Green,Red
Creeping Red Fescue Seed by Eretz (3lb) Cover
Creeping Red Fescue Seed by Eretz (3lb) - Choose Size! Willamette Valley Oregon Grown, No Fillers, No Weed or Other Crop Seeds, Premium Shade Grass Seed.

Eretz's Creeping Red Fescue Seed is a premium shade grass seed that is perfect for shaded areas. It has superior disease resistance, naturally grows 6-8" tall, and has a medium to dark green color. The aggressive tillering fills in lawns, making it perfect for those who want a lush-looking lawn. It is also 99.6% pure seed, which means it is weed and other crop seed-free.

What We Like
Excellent performance in shaded areas
Superior disease resistance
Aggressive tillering fills in lawns
Medium to dark green color
Weed and other crop seed-free
#TOP 9

Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Sun and Shade

EZ Seed
10 lb.
Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Sun and Shade Cover
Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Sun and Shade for Grass: Covers up to 225 sq. ft., 10 lb.

Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Sun and Shade for Grass is a revolutionary seeding mix that can be used to grow grass anywhere, guaranteed (subject to proper care). It contains Scotts best high performance seed, mulch that absorbs 6X its weight in water, exclusive controlled release technology fertilizer to jumpstart growth, tackifier to help keep seed from washing away and protectant to help keep seedlings safe from harmful diseases. It grows in full sun and dense shade, high traffic areas and on slopes, covering up to 225 sq. ft. Customers are impressed by the product's performance and value, but it needs to be watered every day.

What We Like
Combination of seed, fertilizer, and mulch
Covers up to 225 sq. ft.
Germinates quickly and fills in the area effectively
Ideal for repairing dead or damaged grass or for small areas
Practical and useful
#TOP 10

Jonathan Green & Sons Dense Shade Grass Seed Mixture

Jonathan Green & Sons,
10620
Black
7 Lb.
Jonathan Green & Sons Dense Shade Grass Seed Mixture Cover
Jonathan Green & Sons, 7 lb, Dense Shade Grass Seed Mixture

This 7 lb bag of dense shade grass seed mixture is perfect for growing in shady areas where other mixtures have failed. With this product, you can transform your lawn into a lush and healthy green space. This grass seed mixture is manufactured in China and is a great choice for those looking for a reliable and effective solution for their lawn.

What We Like
Can grow in shady areas where other mixtures have failed
Manufactured in China
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 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 195,044 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 $18.06.

The shade grass seed are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of shade grass seed, including Jonathan Green, X-Seed, Scotts, Pennington, Greenview. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 12,981 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

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.