Correct Mowing Height for Every Grass Type
Mowing too short scalps your lawn. Mowing too tall invites weeds. Here are the exact heights for every common Georgia grass type.
Overview
What You Will Learn
Mowing height is one of the most overlooked factors in lawn health. Cutting your grass at the right height promotes deeper roots, better drought tolerance, and a thicker canopy that naturally chokes out weeds. But the ideal height depends entirely on your grass type — and most Georgia homeowners are mowing too short. This guide covers the correct mowing heights for bermuda, zoysia, centipede, and St. Augustine, plus seasonal adjustments and common mistakes.
Bermuda Grass: 1 to 2 Inches
Bermuda grass thrives when mowed between 1 and 2 inches. Common bermuda does well at 1.5 to 2 inches, while hybrid bermuda varieties (like Tifway 419) can be maintained as low as 0.75 to 1.5 inches with a reel mower. Bermuda is the most aggressive grass in Middle Georgia — it grows fast and recovers quickly from low mowing. However, cutting too short with a rotary mower will scalp the turf and expose bare soil to weed seeds. If you are using a standard rotary mower, stay at 1.5 to 2 inches.
Mow bermuda every 5 to 7 days during peak summer growth.
Never remove more than one-third of the blade height in a single mow.
Lower your mowing height by half an inch in early spring to help bermuda green up faster.
Zoysia Grass: 1 to 2.5 Inches
Zoysia performs best at 1 to 2.5 inches depending on the variety. Fine-bladed varieties like Emerald zoysia can be maintained at 1 to 1.5 inches, while coarser varieties like Meyer and Zenith do better at 2 to 2.5 inches. Zoysia grows more slowly than bermuda, so it does not need mowing as frequently — typically every 7 to 10 days. Zoysia's dense growth habit naturally resists weeds when maintained at the proper height.
Mow zoysia every 7 to 10 days during the growing season.
Use a sharp blade — zoysia's thick blades tear easily with a dull mower.
Raise mowing height slightly in shaded areas to compensate for reduced sunlight.
Centipede Grass: 1.5 to 2.5 Inches
Centipede is a low-maintenance grass that prefers to be left a bit taller — 1.5 to 2.5 inches is ideal. Centipede grows slowly and does not tolerate aggressive mowing. Scalping centipede is one of the fastest ways to damage or kill it. This grass has shallow roots and a less aggressive growth habit, so it takes longer to recover from stress. Many homeowners with centipede lawns mow too frequently or too short, which leads to thinning and weed invasion.
Mow centipede every 10 to 14 days — it grows slowly.
Never mow centipede below 1.5 inches.
Avoid fertilizing centipede heavily — it does not respond well to high nitrogen rates.
St. Augustine Grass: 2.5 to 4 Inches
St. Augustine is less common in Middle Georgia, but homeowners who have it should keep it tall — between 2.5 and 4 inches. St. Augustine has wide, flat blades and a coarse texture. It needs the extra height to shade its root zone and handle the heat. Mowing St. Augustine too short leads to rapid stress, thinning, and increased susceptibility to chinch bugs and large patch. If you have St. Augustine in a shaded area, keep it at the higher end (3.5 to 4 inches) to maximize the leaf surface available for photosynthesis.
Mow St. Augustine every 7 to 10 days.
Keep the mowing height at 3.5 to 4 inches in shaded areas.
St. Augustine does not tolerate scalping — avoid cutting more than one-third of the blade.
The One-Third Rule and Seasonal Changes
Regardless of grass type, never remove more than one-third of the grass blade height in a single mowing. Cutting more than that shocks the plant, weakens the root system, and opens the door to weeds and disease. In early spring, you can lower your mowing height by about half an inch to help warm-season grasses green up faster by removing dormant brown tips. Gradually raise your mowing height during the hottest summer months to help the lawn retain moisture. In fall, maintain your standard height until the grass enters dormancy.
Bag clippings only if you are removing more than one-third — otherwise, mulch them.
Sharpen your mower blade every 25 hours of use or at least twice per season.
Adjust mowing frequency based on growth rate, not a fixed calendar schedule.
Key takeaways
What to Remember
Bermuda: 1 to 2 inches. Zoysia: 1 to 2.5 inches. Centipede: 1.5 to 2.5 inches. St. Augustine: 2.5 to 4 inches.
Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mow.
Mowing too short causes more lawn problems than mowing too tall.
Adjust mowing height seasonally — slightly lower in spring, slightly higher in summer.
A sharp mower blade makes a clean cut that heals faster and resists disease.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I mow my lawn too short?
Mowing too short (scalping) removes too much leaf surface, weakening the plant and exposing soil to sunlight. This encourages weed germination, stresses the root system, and increases susceptibility to disease and drought.
How often should I mow bermuda grass in Georgia?
During peak summer growth, bermuda grass should be mowed every 5 to 7 days. In spring and fall, every 7 to 10 days is usually sufficient. The key is to mow based on growth, not the calendar — never let it get so tall that you remove more than one-third.
Should I bag or mulch my grass clippings?
Mulch your clippings whenever possible. They break down quickly and return nitrogen to the soil. Only bag clippings if the grass got too tall between mows and the clippings are so thick they smother the turf.
Can I use the same mowing height for all grass types?
No. Each grass type has a specific range. Bermuda tolerates low mowing, centipede needs more height, and St. Augustine needs the most. Using a single height across different grass types will stress some of them.
When should I lower my mowing height in spring?
Lower your mowing height by about half an inch for the first one or two mows of spring — typically late March in Middle Georgia. This removes dead tips and encourages green-up. Then raise it back to the standard height as active growth begins.
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