We typically expect our turfgrass to be green, or perhaps brown if it’s a warm-season turfgrass during winter. This spring, however, I have observed turfgrasses displaying various shades of red, yellow, orange, and purple leaves. You may have noticed the same phenomenon and wondered what is happening. It is not unusual for turfgrass sheaths or leaves to develop colored pigmentation in response to stress, such as drought, temperature fluctuations, or nutrient deficiencies. In early March 2026, North Carolina experienced a notable “false spring” that kick-started green-up in warm-season turfgrasses such as centipedegrass, St Augustinegrass, bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass. These brief, warm, summer-like conditions—with temperatures reaching the 80s —were followed by an influx of cold air, which caused stress and confusion in the turfgrasses. If the turfgrass had already greened up, chlorophyll may have been damaged, allowing other pigments to become visible. The entire leaf may be discolored, or it may be banded discoloration as seen in the photograph. If the turfgrass was still brown, no color change would have occurred. In most cases, grasses will return to a more normal color and growth pattern after a few days to a few weeks of warm temperatures. Unfortunately, much of North Carolina is experiencing some level of drought, and these dry conditions may delay green-up or a return to normal turfgrass growth.