Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild-type characteristics)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, tolerates extreme summer heat well, goes dormant and turns brown when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured turf with a vibrant green color during the growing season. Grows low to the ground via runners when maintained, but can reach heights of 6 to 12 inches if left unmowed. Turns straw-brown during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium blades (2-4mm wide), flat or slightly folded, pointed tips, gray-green to light green color, rolled in the bud (vernation). Ligule is a fringe of hairs, auricles absent, collar is continuous and light-colored.
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system reaching depths of 6 feet or more in favorable soils. Spreads via both stolons and rhizomes, creating a dense sod with moderate-to-high thatch-forming tendencies under high fertilization.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to East Africa and tropical regions, widely naturalized globally in warm-temperate and tropical zones
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous and rhizomatous, forms a dense, tight mat with rapid horizontal spread
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight daily). High drought tolerance through summer dormancy or deep roots. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 0.5 to 1.5 inches for hybrid types, up to 2.0 inches for common Bermuda. Requires frequent mowing during peak growth. High maintenance level, requires 3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually, regular dethatching and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and rapid recovery, making it ideal for sports fields and high-traffic lawns. Good salt tolerance and excellent drought recovery, but very poor shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced in many parts of the world, provides moderate soil stabilization and erosion control due to its extensive root and runner network. Can act as an invasive weed in agricultural fields or flower beds outside of managed turf.