Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, excellent heat tolerance, poor shade tolerance, goes dormant and turns brown when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda
About This Grass
Fine to medium textured turfgrass with a bright to dark green color, turning straw-brown under winter dormancy. Forms an extremely dense and tough sod. Reaches heights up to 6-12 inches if left unmowed, but maintained at 1-2 inches.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are narrow (2-3mm), flat, tapering to a pointed tip, grayish-green to dark green, rolled in the bud (vernation). Features a fringe of hairs in place of a membranous ligule and lacks auricles.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Establishes rapidly and has a high thatch tendency under high fertility and moisture.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa and tropical regions, widely naturalized globally in warm climates
Growth Habit
Aggressive, spreading via both stolons above ground and rhizomes below ground, forming a dense mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight). High drought tolerance through summer dormancy, but requires moderate to high water for active green growth. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow frequently at a low height of 0.75 to 1.5 inches. Requires high fertilization (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year) for optimal performance. High maintenance level due to rapid growth rate.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recuperative ability due to aggressive stoloniferous growth. Good salt tolerance. Excellent for sports fields, home lawns, and golf course fairways.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in many regions outside of Africa. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Can become a persistent weed in flower beds and cool-season lawns due to its invasive creeping runners.