Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (identifiable by its coarser leaf texture and slightly more open growth compared to hybrid varieties like Tifway 419)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance. Goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
Low-growing, aggressive spreader with a medium-to-fine texture. It is a gray-green to dark green grass that turns straw-colored during winter dormancy. If unmowed, it produces finger-like seed heads (spikes) in groups of 3-7.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Gray-green color with a ring of white hairs at the ligule (hairy ligule). Folded vernation in the bud; auricles are absent.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive fibrous root system with thick rhizomes. High thatch-forming tendency; very fast establishment speed. Excellent drought tolerance and superior wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially in the southern United States and transition zones.
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive growth via both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above ground); forms a dense, mat-like sod rapidly.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; high drought tolerance. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches; high frequency (weekly or more). Requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. High maintenance; requires regular dethatching (verticutting) and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic/wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; excellent drought recovery. Susceptible to Large Patch and Spring Dead Spot. Aggressive nature allows it to crowd out most weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization for erosion control but is considered invasive in many ornamental landscapes due to its specialized rhizomes. Frequently used in blends for sports fields.