Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (or improved turf varieties like 'Tifway', 'Celebration')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10 (can survive in Zone 6 with cold-hardy cultivars). Excellent heat tolerance, goes into winter dormancy when temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine to medium-textured turf with a bright green to blue-green color. It grows rapidly during hot summer months and goes dormant (turning straw-brown) with the first frost. Unmowed height can reach 4-15 inches, but it is typically maintained low (0.5-2 inches). Produces digitate seed heads with 3 to 7 spikes radiating from a single point.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-3mm), flat, tapering to a pointed tip, grayish-green or bright green. Vernation is folded in the bud. The ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, aggressive root system (can reach depths of 6 feet or more in favorable soils). Extremely fast establishment from seed, sprigs, or sod. Forms a dense thatch layer if not managed properly. Provides excellent drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia, widely naturalized worldwide in warm climates.
Growth Habit
Aggressive, spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-resistant turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight; poor shade tolerance). High drought tolerance through summer dormancy, but performs best with regular irrigation (1 inch per week). Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches for hybrid turfs, up to 2 inches for common varieties. Requires frequent mowing during peak growing season (every 4-7 days). High fertilizer requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Regular dethatching and aeration needed due to rapid growth.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance, making it ideal for sports fields, golf courses, and high-use lawns. Good salt tolerance. Quick recovery from damage due to aggressive spreading stolons and rhizomes. Can become a weed in flower beds due to invasive running stems.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Moderate wildlife value for grazing animals and ground-nesting birds. Can be invasive in agricultural settings or natural areas due to its aggressive spreading nature.