Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common (often found in high-quality lawn seed mixes)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; poor heat tolerance in the Deep South; goes dormant in winter/summer stress.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing turfgrass with a boat-shaped leaf tip. It characteristically has a dark green to blue-green color. When unmowed, it can reach 12-24 inches, featuring an open, pyramidal panicle seed head.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded leaf blades with a distinctive boat-shaped tip; dark green color; folded vernation in the bud; short, membranous ligule; no auricles; constricted collar.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system complemented by vigorous horizontal rhizomes; forms high levels of thatch; slow to establish from seed but creates a very stable sod with high wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Asia, and the mountains of Algeria and Morocco; extensively naturalized in North America and temperate regions worldwide.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading underground), forming a dense, thick sod; slow to moderate rate of establishment but excellent recovery via rhizomes.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (preferred), 6-8+ hours of direct light; high water needs; moderate drought tolerance (enters dormancy during extreme heat/drought); prefers well-drained fertile soil with pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.0-3.5 inches; frequent mowing required during peak spring/fall growth; high fertilization needs (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); high maintenance overall.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery; high aesthetic quality; susceptible to necrotic ring spot, leaf spot, and dollar spot; moderate shade tolerance compared to fescues.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; provides forage for various wildlife and stabilizing cover for soil; often blended with Perennial Ryegrass or Fine Fescues to improve genetic diversity and disease resistance.