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
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; goes into winter dormancy when temperatures drop consistently below 50°F
About This Grass
Fine to medium-textured turf with a blue-green to bright green color during the growing season; goes dormant and turns straw-brown with frost; seed heads feature a finger-like cluster of 3 to 7 spikes
Blade Characteristics
Blades are flat to folded, narrow (2-4mm wide), pointed tips, grayish-green, rolled in the bud (vernation), with a membranous ligule fringed with hairs and prominent collar
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil with extensive rhizomes and stolons; moderate to high thatch tendency; establishes rapidly from seed or sod
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; naturalized globally in warm climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-resistant mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight); highly drought tolerant due to deep roots; goes dormant under severe drought; prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height range from 0.5 to 1.5 inches; high mowing frequency during peak growth; medium to high fertilizer needs (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); requires frequent dethatching and aeration
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recovery; good drought recovery; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; excellent for erosion control and sports applications
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization and prevents erosion; can behave aggressively and invade neighboring flower beds or cool-season turf areas