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
'Tifway 419' (or general common Bermuda), characterized by fine texture, rapid spreading via stolons and rhizomes, and a dense, dark green turf.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10 (can survive in Zone 6 with cold-hardy cultivars). Excellent heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns straw-colored with the first hard frost.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with grayish-green to medium-green blades. When unmowed, it can reach heights of 6 to 18 inches, but is typically maintained low (0.5 to 1.5 inches). Produces digitate seed heads with 3 to 7 slender spikes radiating from a single point at the top of the flowering stem.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat shape with pointed tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Color is typically medium to grayish-green. Prominent membranous ring or fringe of hairs for the ligule, lacking pronounced auricles.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system that can extend several feet into the soil, coupled with aggressive stolons and rhizomes. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high nitrogen, fast establishment from plugs or sod, excellent wear recovery and drought tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, now widely naturalized and cultivated worldwide in warm temperate to tropical climates.
Growth Habit
Aggressive, mat-forming combination of both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground). Spreads very rapidly and forms a dense, tight turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight; very poor shade tolerance). High drought tolerance via dormancy, but requires regular water for active green growth. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower. Requires frequent mowing during peak growing season. High fertilizer requirements (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year for high maintenance). Regular dethatching and aeration needed.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear recovery due to aggressive spreading. Good salt tolerance. Poor shade tolerance. Outstanding drought recovery and erosion control capabilities.
Ecological Information
Introduced in many parts of the world outside its native range. Provides moderate wildlife value for grazing and cover. Can become an invasive weed in agricultural fields or flower beds due to its aggressive rhizomatous and stoloniferous spread.