Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (unidentified wild-type or common variety)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11. Excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance. Goes dormant and turns straw-colored when soil temperatures drop below 50-55°F.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing mat-forming grass. It features a medium to fine texture with a grey-green to dark green color. Unmowed, it can reach 12-18 inches; maintained, it forms a tight sod. Seed heads are 3-7 finger-like spikes arranged in a whorl at the tip of the stem.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (1.5-3mm), flat or slightly V-shaped, tapering to a sharp point. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent. Leaves exhibit a distinct grey-green hue.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system extending up to 6 feet in some soils. Highly thatch-forming due to dense rhizome and stolon networks; excellent establishment speed and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa and Asia; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones globally
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both Rhizomatous (underground) and Stoloniferous (above ground) spreading
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours); poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; high drought tolerance through dormancy. Prefers soil pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height 0.5 to 1.5 inches for common varieties. High frequency required during peak summer growth. High nitrogen needs (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Frequent dethatching and aeration necessary.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and salt tolerance. Rapidly fills in bare spots via stolons. Highly resistant to most common lawn diseases but susceptible to Spring Dead Spot in colder margins. Moderate shade intolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization for erosion-prone areas. Can be invasive in gardens and non-target landscapes. Frequently used for livestock forage when managed specifically for pasture.