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 (unimproved wild-type or standard selections), featuring robust stolons and rhizomes.
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor shade tolerance, goes completely dormant and turns straw-colored during freezing winter temperatures.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a medium-fine texture and bright green to grayish-green color. Mowed heights range from 0.5 to 1.5 inches, while unmowed growth can reach 4 to 12 inches with slender, digitated seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-width (2-3mm), flat, tapering to a sharp, pointed tip. Leaf sheaths are flattened and often bear a fringe of hairs at the ligule. Vernation is folded in the bud.
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system combined with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Establishes rapidly from sod or seed, exhibits high drought tolerance once established, and recovers exceptionally fast from wear.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide. Cultivated globally in tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate transition zones.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above-ground runners) and rhizomes (below-ground stems), forming a dense, tight mat or sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight). High drought tolerance through summer dormancy, but performs best with regular watering. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow frequently at 0.75 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower. High fertilizer requirements (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually during peak growth). High maintenance level, requiring regular dethatching and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, high recovery rate, good salt tolerance, highly competitive against weeds when properly maintained, but has low shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to dense matting. Can behave invasively in agricultural settings or flower beds adjacent to turf areas.