Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial; C4 photosynthetic pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (naturalized type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F/10°C); prone to winter kill in northern transition zones
About This Grass
A low-growing, highly resilient grass that forms a dense carpet; gray-green to dark green color depending on fertility; turns brown (dormant) in winter; seed heads are finger-like spikes arranged in a whorl (digitate)
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm); flat or slightly folded; pointed tips; gray-green color; vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of short white hairs; auricles are absent
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes; high thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment; excellent drought tolerance and wear recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates worldwide; thrives in USDA zones 7-11
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground); forms a dense, mat-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (poor shade tolerance); minimum 6-8 hours direct sun; moderate water needs once established but highly drought-resistant; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 0.5 to 1.5 inches; frequent mowing required during peak growth; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance for high-quality turf; requires periodic vertical mowing to manage thatch
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; superior drought recovery; aggressively crowds out most weeds; widely used for sports fields and golf fairways
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; can be invasive in gardens and non-turf areas; provides moderate wildlife cover but can displace native prairie species; excellent for soil stabilization on slopes and levees