Grasses
Lolium perenne
Perennial Ryegrass
Poaceae
Europe / temperate Asia / N Africa (L. perenne; fastest lawn grass germination 5-7 days; bunchgrass; glossy; wear-tolerant; cool-season z3-7; short-lived 3-5 yrs)
At a Glance
TypeGrass
HabitClumping
FoliageEvergreen
Height6-24 inches (15-60 cm) unmowed; 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) mowed
Width8-12 inches (20-30 cm) per plant
Maturity1 years
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
3 - 7Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy
Overview
Lolium perenne is a cool-season perennial bunchgrass reaching 6-24 inches (15-60 cm) tall (unmowed) with a spread of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) per plant and an upright, clumping habit that tillering creates a dense turf. Native to Europe, temperate Asia, and North Africa, it germinates in 5-7 days—the fastest of any lawn grass—and establishes a usable turf in 3-4 weeks. Fine to medium-textured, glossy dark green blades 2-4 mm wide with prominent veins on the upper surface and a distinctive folded vernation (leaves folded in the bud). Maintained at mowing heights of 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm). Not rhizomatous—spreads only by tillering, so it does not fill bare spots on its own. Lifespan 3-5 years per plant—shorter-lived than Kentucky bluegrass. Wear-tolerant. Widely used in seed mixes with Kentucky bluegrass for quick establishment while the slower bluegrass fills in.
Native Range
Lolium perenne is native to Europe, temperate Asia, and North Africa. Naturalized throughout temperate regions worldwide.Suggested Uses
Used in home lawns, sports fields, parks, and erosion control. Fastest-establishing lawn grass (5-7 days germination). Wear-tolerant—sports turf. Often mixed with Kentucky bluegrass. Cool-season z3-7. Glossy dark green. Not suitable for hot-summer climates (z8+) as a permanent lawn—suffers above 90°F. Short-lived 3-5 years—requires overseeding. No self-repair (bunchgrass).How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 2'
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Colors
Flower Colors
green
Foliage Colors
green
Fall Foliage Colors
no change
Bloom Information
Bloom Period
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Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Green; spike-like inflorescences; late spring-summer if unmowedFoliage Description
Glossy dark green; fine to medium blades 2-4 mm; folded vernationGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Soil Requirements
pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Medium
Frost Tolerance
hardy
Time to Maturity
5-7 days germination; usable turf in 3-4 weeks
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Seed in early fall or early spring at 6-8 lb per 1,000 sq ft (270-360 g per 93 sq m). Germinates in 5-7 days at soil temperatures above 50°F (10°C). Full sun to light shade. Fertile, well-drained soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Mow at 1.5-3 inches. Water 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) per week. Fertilize 2-4 lb nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year. Cool-season—grows actively in spring and fall, semi-dormant in summer heat. Does not tolerate sustained heat above 90°F (32°C)—suffers in hot summers. Overseed annually to maintain density (short-lived plants).Pruning
Mow at 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm). Never remove more than one-third of blade height per mowing. Mow higher in summer stress. Overseed thin areas annually.Pruning Schedule
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early springlate springsummerfall