Synthetic Turfgrass: A Florida-Friendly Perspective
Is the grass greener on the other side? Let’s look at the facts.
Text: Is the grass greener on the other side? A Florida-Friendly perspective
Authors: Don Rainey and Theresa Badurek
A landscape using synthetic turf as compared to a Florida-Friendly landscape using natural turfgrass.
Pros
- Good for high-traffic areas
- No regular mowing
- Consistent appearance year-round
- No fertilizer required
- Initial water savings
Cons
- High surfaces temperatures — up to 100 degrees hotter than natural grass
- Increased stormwater runoff
- No support for wildlife
- Limited lifespan (10-20 years)
- Ends up in landfills
- Potential leaching of contaminants
- Requires weekly washing and cooling
- Pet waste runoff
Reference
“Synthetic Turfgrass and the Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™” on Ask IFAS. March 2025.
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Also on Gardening Solutions
- Printable version of this infographic (PDF)
- More Infographics
- Florida-Friendly Landscapes: The Nine Principles
- More Florida-Friendly Landscape Care on Gardening Solutions