Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Common/Proprietary Blend (likely Midnight or Baron-type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; enters winter dormancy; struggles in high heat/humidity of the South
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing turf with a rich blue-green color. It maintains a soft texture and uniform appearance when mowed, with characteristic boat-shaped leaf tips.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 2-4mm (medium); V-shaped or flat; boat-shaped (folded) tip; dark green to blue-green color; folded vernation; membranous ligule; no auricles
Root System
Moderately shallow fibrous roots with extensive rhizomes; creates heavy thatch; establishes slowly from seed but forms a powerful, durable sod
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, Northern Asia, and the mountains of Morocco/Algeria; widely adapted to temperate climates
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), forming a dense, self-repairing sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun preferred (requires 6+ hours); moderate to high water needs; moderate drought tolerance but goes dormant during extreme heat/dry spells; pH 6.0-7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2.0-3.5 inches; high frequency; fertilization 3-5 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft/year; annual aeration and periodic dethatching; High maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery; good disease resistance in newer cultivars; poor salt tolerance; moderate shade tolerance (varies by cultivar)
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides forage for various grazing animals and nesting material; helps prevent soil erosion through dense sod formation