Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4 metabolism
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (indicated by medium-coarse texture and visible seed heads)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. Excellent heat tolerance; undergoes dormancy/browning when soil temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, dense green turf with a medium-to-coarse texture. It exhibits rapid growth during summer and turns straw-colored or brown during winter dormancy. Unmowed, it reaches 6-12 inches; maintained, it forms a thick sod. Seed heads are conspicuous, featuring 3-7 finger-like spikes (digitate).
Blade Characteristics
Blades are 2-4mm wide, flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Color is a medium-to-dark green. Vernation is folded in the bud. The ligule is a fringe of short white hairs; auricles are absent; the collar is narrow and hairy at the edges.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with both underground rhizomes and surface stolons. It has a high thatch-forming tendency but offers excellent wear recovery and high drought tolerance once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and rhizomatous; highly aggressive with a dense, mat-forming growth habit
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; highly drought tolerant but thrives with 1 inch of water per week during peak growth. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.0 to 2.5 inches. Requires frequent mowing (1-2 times per week). High fertilization needs (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Periodic dethatching and aeration are necessary due to rapid stolon growth.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic/wear tolerance and rapid recovery from damage. High salt tolerance and good disease resistance. It effectively crowds out most weeds through its aggressive growth but can become an invasive weed in flower beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization for erosion control and can serve as forage for livestock. Minimal wildlife value as a monoculture turf but serves as a host for some butterfly larvae. Often blended with Ryegrass for winter color in transition zones.