Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common or hybrid varieties like 'Tifway 419'
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with some cold-tolerant cultivars extending into lower Zone 6. Highly heat-tolerant, goes dormant in winter.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine to medium-textured turf with a vibrant green color during the growing season. It goes dormant and turns straw-brown with the first hard frosts. When unmowed, it can reach heights of 6 to 12 inches, but it is typically maintained very low. Seed heads feature a characteristic digitate arrangement of 3 to 7 spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are short, fine to medium in width (2-4mm), flat, and tapering to a pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar is continuous and may have sparse hairs.
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system combined with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Establishes rapidly from sod or plugs, creates a heavy thatch layer over time, and offers exceptional drought and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, widely naturalized globally in warm climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-resistant turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily). High drought tolerance through summer dormancy, but needs regular watering (1 inch per week) for optimal green growth. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches for hybrid varieties, up to 2 inches for common types. Requires frequent mowing during peak growth. High fertilizer requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance, rapid recovery from damage, good salt tolerance, excellent heat tolerance, poor shade tolerance, and aggressive weed suppression when actively growing.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Can become invasive in agricultural settings or garden beds due to its aggressive underground rhizomes.