Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda or Hybrid (likely Tifway 419 based on lawn application)
Hardiness Zones
7 to 10; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant below 50°F; susceptible to winter kill in northern climates.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing, mat-forming grass with a medium to fine texture. Turns straw-colored during winter dormancy. Exhibits a grayish-green to dark green color in active growth with seed heads appearing as 3-7 finger-like spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, pointed tip, grayish-green color, folded vernation, fringe of hairs for a ligule, auricles absent.
Root System
Deep and fibrous with extensive rhizomes and stolons; makes the grass highly drought-tolerant and resilient to heavy wear with high thatch potential.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous (aggressive spreader)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0; needs 1 inch of water weekly when active.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.0 to 2.0 inches; high frequency (weekly or more); 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance level requiring annual aeration and dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and recovery; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; excellent for crowding out most weeds once established.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization; can be invasive in garden beds; often used in mixtures for erosion control in southern climates.