Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass, highly adapted to the transition zone.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (can also be hybrid cultivars like 'Tifway 419')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, can survive in Zone 6 with winter protection. Excellent heat tolerance and can tolerate cold temperatures down to its dormancy threshold.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured, low-growing turf with a bright to dark green color in summer. Unmowed, it can reach heights of 6 to 12 inches. It goes dormant and turns straw-brown during the winter months when temperatures drop.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-4mm), flat, tapering to a sharp pointed tip. Color is grayish-green to medium green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep root system, highly fibrous with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high fertility. Fast establishment from seed or sod, providing exceptional wear recovery and drought resistance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide. Widely naturalized and cultivated in warm temperate to tropical regions globally.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a very dense, tight mat or turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight). Moderate to high drought tolerance due to deep roots and dormancy capability. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches for hybrid types, up to 2.0 inches for common types. Requires frequent mowing during peak growing season. High fertilizer needs (3-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear recovery, good salt tolerance, excellent drought tolerance through dormancy, poor shade tolerance, highly aggressive nature crowds out weeds effectively.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes and coastal areas. Can become invasive in agricultural settings or flower beds due to its aggressive spreading runners.