Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-7. Excellent cold tolerance, goes dormant in extreme heat.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Variety / Cultivar
Common blend, standard turftype cultivars
About This Grass
Forms a dense, medium-textured turf with a rich green to blue-green color. Matures up to 18-24 inches if unmowed, but maintained primarily at 2 to 3.5 inches. Produces characteristic pyramidal panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (2-4mm), flat with distinct parallel veins and a characteristic boat-shaped tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system combined with extensive rhizomes. Forms a very dense sod, moderate to slow establishment speed, moderate thatch-forming tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, northern Asia, and parts of North America
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous, spreading underground via robust rhizomes to form a dense, uniform turf
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (minimum 4-6 hours direct sun). Moderate to high water needs; enters dormancy during severe drought with good recovery capability. Prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.0 to 3.5 inches. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (3-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), frequent watering, periodic aeration, and dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Good wear tolerance and excellent self-repairing capabilities due to rhizomes. Fair shade tolerance, prone to certain diseases like dollar spot and leaf spot under high humidity.
Ecological Information
Widely naturalized and cultivated across North America. Provides erosion control and soil stabilization. Often mixed with perennial ryegrass and fine fescues for lawns.