Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Native Prairie Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Elite Kentucky Bluegrass (e.g., 'Midnight', 'Mazama', or 'Blueberry')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; poor heat tolerance in deep south; goes dormant in extreme heat or cold.
About This Grass
A dense, cool-season turfgrass with a rich dark green to blue-green color. It maintains a soft, fine-to-medium texture and is highly valued for its ability to form a thick, self-healing sod. Seed heads appear as open, pyramidal panicles when left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), V-shaped or flat, distinctly boat-shaped tip, folded vernation, short membranous ligule, and no auricles. Color ranges from emerald to dark blue-green.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system supported by aggressive rhizomes. High thatch tendency due to organic matter accumulation. Moderate establishment speed but excellent recovery from wear due to rhizomes.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Asia, and the mountains of Morocco and Algeria; highly adapted to North American cool-temperate regions
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), mat-forming, dense and aggressive spreading during periods of active growth
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun preferred (6-8 hours); moderate to high water needs; moderate drought tolerance (enters dormancy to survive); prefers well-drained fertile soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height of 1.5 to 3.0 inches; requires weekly mowing; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; requires regular aeration and occasional dethatching; High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance; good disease resistance in newer cultivars; slow to germinate (21 days); high self-repair ability; poor shade tolerance compared to fescues.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock and wildlife; excellent soil stabilization due to rhizomatous mat; often paired with Perennial Ryegrass for faster establishment.