Never say never, but you're probably better off with flowers, mulch, or rocks
Growing grass under pine trees proves difficult because you face acidic soil from fallen needles, limited sunlight from dense branches, and thick needle blankets smothering seeds.
Shade-tolerant grass like fescue or centipede requires tilling the soil, testing and adjusting pH with lime, and pruning lower branches to increase sunlight for your lawn.
Mulch, rocks, or shade-loving plants like lungwort and ferns provide low-maintenance landscaping alternatives that thrive in acidic conditions and require less upkeep than grass.
Hiring a local mulching company helps you create attractive ground cover under pine trees while handling delivery, spreading, and ongoing maintenance for sustainable results.
Pine trees offer year-round beauty for homeowners, with their unique look and shelter for wildlife. Even though pine trees are some of the most common trees on the East Coast, Rocky Mountains, southwestern mountain ranges, and Great Lakes region—you may be frustrated if you’ve been trying to grow grass underneath a pine tree. Learn why growing grass under pine trees is tricky and some alternative ideas to try.
The short answer is that while you should never say never, growing grass underneath pine is difficult.
Many homeowners find it challenging to grow grass seed underneath coniferous resinous trees (a fun way of saying pine). Those who achieve their goal may find it grows patchy, slowly, or dies at the end of the warm season.
You may be more successful with certain types of grass, like Ryegrass, that can still thrive in the shade. But you may struggle no matter which type of grass seed you use.
There are three reasons why growing grass under pine trees is tough.
First, the soil underneath pine trees is more acidic. Most lawns require a pH between 6.5 and 7 (neutral, skewing towards slightly acidic) for sustainable growth. Pine tree soil can be as low as 3 on the pH scale.
Second, sunlight—which new grass needs to grow—is much harder to come by when tall pine trees overlook the area you're trying to seed.
Lastly, pine needles that fall from trees can act like a blanket on the ground that smothers grass seed. All of these factors make it very challenging to grow grass underneath pine trees.
Like most types of grass, certain plants may struggle to grow underneath lots of pine trees. However, growing some plants and flowers that don’t mind growing in acidic soil and shady conditions could be good alternatives to grass.
Lungwort
Digitalis (known as foxgloves)
Primrose
Spotted deadnettle
Ferns
Wild ginger
Certain perennial flowers can also thrive in acidic soil like columbine and Jacob's ladder. Consider flowers and plants that grow in mountainous regions, such as the Rockies, where pine trees and other plants are abundant. You might find unique flowers or plants to add to your home.
If you want to give grass a go under your pine trees, you’ll need to take special care and choose the type of grass carefully according to your hardiness zone. Hardy grass can take hold in the shady pines with proper preparation and care. The following steps provide more details:
Clear the area: Remove pine needles, twigs, and other debris for access to the soil beneath.
Till the soil: You don’t want to damage the tree’s root system, so only till as deep as the roots allow. Ideally, that’s about 6 inches, but it could be less if the roots are near the surface.
Test the soil for acidity: To reduce acidity, check the soil and fertilize it with lime as needed. Grass seeds prefer a soil pH level between 6.5 and 7.
Increase sunlight: Branches below 10 feet can block adequate sunlight. Remove as many branches as possible below the 10-foot line and prune the upper branches to allow sunlight to reach the grass seed.
Plant the grass seed: Plant the grass seed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pick grass with a high shade tolerance, like fescue and rough bluegrass for colder climates and centipede and zoysia for warmer climates. Another option is an ornamental grass that thrives in shade, such as liriope or birdfoot sedge. Also, seriously consider native prairie grasses for landscaping under your pines. They’re tolerant of poor soil and can handle drought conditions.
Make sure the grass gets plenty of water. Once it’s taken root, regularly remove the pine needles to help it get enough light and keep the acidity down.
Another option is to add landscaping ground cover like mulch or rocks underneath your pine trees. It requires less maintenance than trying to grow any type of plant and still gives your yard a nice upgrade in terms of looks. If you’ve got a large area to cover or you’re not sure which type or how much mulch you need, a local mulching company can deliver and spread it for you.
Mulch is an excellent landscaping option for weedy growth areas underneath pine trees because pine needles mulch themselves as they fall, so they’ll regularly replenish the soil underneath your trees.
If you're thinking about changing up your backyard landscape, installing a pavers walkway through your pine could be a unique way to show off the natural beauty in your yard.
Ben Kissam contributed to this piece.
First of all, the gentleman I dealt with (Cam?) was very responsive to my many questions and concerns throughout the project, which is a huge plus to me. From the first time I met him for the estimate all the way til the completion of the job, he and his crew were professional and respectful....
All Star Paving and SealingWe had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest LightscapesAnother great success for me on home advisor. This company did an awesome job on my landscaping and stayed within my budget. The best part, the work was complete within 2 days of my initial request. Professional and responsive. I highly recommend!
Blue Ring Residential Services, LLCNorman responded to the voicemail that I left describing the situation within an hour of having left it. He was already on a job in our area and offered to come over the same day to assess the situation and give an estimate. Once he saw what we needed we set up a time 3 days later for him and...
Pitzer LandscapingThe company no showed on me twice. The 2nd time was no call no show. They were responsive to set up the first appointment to perform the "landscape cleanup". 3 hours after their initial scheduled appointment time they called me to let me know they had some "problem" with the truck and their...
Ruby Home and Hauling ServicesReceived ideas for future landscape plans...quote to do the work seemed a bit high but I did not have any other quotes to compare it to, so perhaps that is the going rates. <br />
Landscapes By Terra, IncAll around they have done a really great job. <br /> I have used JL Landscapes for the past 8 years. I own and operate my own commercial/residential real estate company where we own, operate, and maintain our own properties. JL Landscapes has been our exclusive landscaper for both our...
J.L. LandscapesI left a message on Sunday requesting to schedule a time to obtain an estimate/walk-through and received a return call in the morning of the following Monday. Mark worked with me and agreed to schedule the estimate/walk-through for the following Saturday. When Mark arrived for the...
Herb Techmer did not finish what was agreed in the invoice. The work actually completed was done well, however, the entire agreement in the invoice was not honored. The following Saturday, Mr. Techmer stated he would return to finish the work. However, Herb Techmer never arrived and...
Feazel Roofing discussed the job in detail prior to beginning. The day before the work commenced they delivered the materials to the site and put them where we had agreed upon. At the time of the commencement of work, they brought numerous tarps that were blue in color. They covered the...
Feazel IncFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Find out how much it costs to plant a tree based on the number of trees, their size, where you want to plant them, and DIY versus professional costs.
Trees add shade and natural beauty to your property. Use this guide on the types of pine trees for landscaping to step up your curb appeal year-round.
Wondering when is the best time to plant trees? This guide covers everything you need to know about timing, climate, and species to ensure your trees thrive.
Mushrooms will grow anywhere there is enough moisture and nutrients in the soil. Here’s everything you need to know about why mushrooms grow in your grass.
If you love peaches and live in the right hardiness zone, you could be harvesting your own supply. Here’s how to grow a peach tree in your yard.
Wondering who to hire to plant trees? Learn everything you need to know about the hiring process for professional tree planting in this informative guide.
