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
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, excellent heat tolerance, enters winter dormancy and turns brown below 50°F, moderate cold tolerance compared to cool-season grasses
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with grayish-green to medium-green blades. Height is very low when maintained, up to 6-12 inches when unmowed. Noted for its distinctive digitate seed head with several finger-like spikes radiating from a single point.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat shape, pointed tips, gray-green to medium-green color, folded vernation in the bud, prominent ligule consisting of a fringe of hairs, absent auricles
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending up to 6 feet or more in favorable soils, highly drought resistant, rapid establishment from seed or vegetative parts, moderate to high thatch tendency under high fertility
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa and tropical regions worldwide, widely cultivated in southern United States and transition zones
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8-10 hours direct sunlight), moderate to high water needs for active growth but exhibits excellent drought dormancy and recovery, prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 0.5 to 1.5 inches for lawns, frequent mowing required due to rapid vertical and horizontal growth, high fertilization needs (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), regular aeration and dethatching required, high maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recuperative ability, good salt tolerance, poor shade tolerance, highly effective for erosion control and crowding out weeds, widely used on athletic fields and golf course fairways
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, high utility for stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, can act as an invasive weed in agricultural or non-turf settings, provides low wildlife habitat value compared to native prairie grasses