Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (or improved turf-type cultivars like Tifway 419)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, with some cold-tolerant varieties surviving in southern parts of Zone 6. Excellent heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns brown during freezing winter temperatures.
About This Grass
Forms a very dense, fine- to medium-textured turf with bright green to grayish-green color. When left unmowed, it can reach heights of 6 to 12 inches, but it is typically maintained much lower. Produces digitated seed heads with 3 to 7 slender spikes radiating from a single point at the top of the stem.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are flat, short, and narrow (2-4mm wide), with a pointed tip. Leaf blades often have a grayish-green color and rough margins. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil, coupled with aggressive stolons and rhizomes. Fast establishment from seed or sod, highly prone to thatch buildup under high fertility and watering.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in warm temperate and tropical climates globally.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and rhizomatous, spreading aggressively by both above-ground runners (stolons) and below-ground rhizomes to form a dense, carpet-like sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) and cannot tolerate heavy shade. High drought tolerance due to deep roots and ability to go dormant during severe dry periods. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches, requiring frequent mowing (often twice a week during peak growth). High fertilizer requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually for optimal turf). Regular dethatching and aeration are needed due to aggressive thatch accumulation. Maintenance level is Medium to High.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and rapid recuperative ability, making it ideal for athletic fields and golf courses. Good salt tolerance and drought recovery. Poor shade tolerance. Can aggressively invade flower beds and gardens via runners.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its dense matting root and runner system. Low wildlife food value compared to native prairie grasses, but offers good ground cover. Often used alone rather than in mixes.