Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat and drought tolerance, but goes completely dormant and loses color with the first hard frost.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a fine to medium-fine texture. The color ranges from bright green to gray-green during the active growing season, turning brown and going completely dormant during winter frosts. Seed heads feature 3 to 7 slender spikes radiating from a single point.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium blades (2-3 mm wide), flat or folded, with pointed tips. Rolled in the bud (vernation). Features a membranous ligule with a fringe of hairs and absent or small auricles.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil. Forms a thick thatch layer under high fertilization. Establishes rapidly from seed, sprigs, or sod and exhibits excellent drought and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical regions, widely naturalized globally and well-adapted to the southern United States and transition zones.
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 8 hours of direct sunlight). Moderate watering needs once established, with exceptional drought tolerance due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.75 to 1.5 inches. Requires frequent mowing during peak summer growth. High maintenance level if manicured, requiring regular fertilization (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year) and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance making it ideal for sports fields and high-use lawns. Good salt tolerance, aggressive weed-crowding ability, and rapid recovery from injury.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Can exhibit invasive tendencies in agricultural settings or flower beds due to aggressive stolon and rhizome spread.