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 populations)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. Has high heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns straw-colored with the first hard frost (below 25°F), and has poor cold tolerance compared to cool-season grasses.
About This Grass
A fine- to medium-textured turfgrass with a grey-green to light-green color. It forms a dense, low-growing carpet and spreads rapidly to cover bare spots. Unmowed height can reach 4-15 inches, but it is typically maintained below 2 inches. Inflorescence consists of 2 to 6 slender, digitately arranged spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are short, flat, 2-4 mm wide, with pointed tips and a grey-green color. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous and narrow.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending up to 6 feet or more in favorable soils, accompanied by an extensive network of stolons and rhizomes. Establishes rapidly from seed or vegetative plugs, has a high tendency to form thatch, and exhibits exceptional drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in southern temperate and tropical zones 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 daily) and has poor shade tolerance. Moderate drought tolerance (enters dormancy during severe drought) and high water requirements for optimal green appearance during the growing season. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.75 to 1.5 inches for home lawns (lower for golf courses). Requires frequent mowing (1-2 times weekly) during peak growth. High maintenance level, needing 3-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually, regular dethatching, and core aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance making it ideal for sports fields and heavy-use areas. Good salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery, aggressive weed-crowding ability, and high recuperative potential.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides limited wildlife food value but excellent soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes due to its dense root and stolon network. Can act as an invasive weed in agricultural settings or flowerbeds outside of managed turf.