Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, perennial, C3 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-7, excellent cold tolerance, moderate heat tolerance, goes dormant in severe heat or drought.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Variety / Cultivar
Midnight (known for dark blue-green color, excellent density, and disease resistance)
About This Grass
Forms a dense, high-quality turf with a medium-fine texture and a rich dark green to blue-green color. Mown height typically 1.5 to 2.5 inches; unmowed height can reach 18-24 inches with open, pyramidal panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine width (2-4mm), flat to folded shape, distinctive boat-shaped tips, dark to medium green with prominent parallel veins and a slight keel. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderate depth (6-12 inches) with extensive fibrous roots and aggressive rhizomes. Prone to thatch accumulation under high fertilization; moderate-to-slow establishment speed from seed; exceptional sod density and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and Northern Asia, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America and temperate regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressively rhizomatous, forming a dense, uniform sod with underground spreading stems
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily); moderate to high water needs to maintain green color during summer; enters summer dormancy under drought; prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.0 to 3.0 inches, frequency of every 5-7 days during peak growth. Requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. High maintenance level with regular dethatching, aeration, and irrigation needed.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance due to aggressive rhizomes; susceptible to summer patch, dollar spot, and leaf spot; excellent drought recovery through underground rhizomes; poor shade tolerance compared to fescues.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides standard turf ecological benefits, soil stabilization, and runoff reduction; commonly blended with Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue for lawns and sports turf.