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 utility varieties like 'Princess 77' or 'Riviera')
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F and turns brown at the first frost).
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured turf with a bright green to grayish-green color during the active growing season. Unmowed, it can reach heights of 6 to 12 inches, but when maintained it forms a tightly knit carpet. It goes dormant and turns straw-brown upon frost.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-3mm), flat, tapering to a pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. The ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar is continuous and light green.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil profile. Spreads rapidly through aggressive rhizomes and stolons, offering high drought resistance and rapid wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in warm temperate to tropical regions globally.
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) and cannot tolerate heavy shade. High drought tolerance (enters dormancy during prolonged drought), with moderate watering needs for optimal appearance. Thrives in well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.75 to 1.5 inches for home lawns (lower for golf courses). Requires frequent mowing during peak growing season due to rapid growth. High fertilization needs (3-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Medium-high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recuperative ability, good salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery, aggressive weed-crowding ability, widely used for home lawns, athletic fields, and golf course fairways.
Ecological Information
Introduced in many parts of the world outside its native range. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its extensive root and runner system. Can act as an invasive weed in agricultural settings or garden beds due to its aggressive spreading habit.