Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass and Sports Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Common blend or standard cultivar types used in general turf
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7, exhibits excellent cold tolerance but struggles in extreme southern heat unless irrigated, well-suited for northern and northern transition zones
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine to medium-textured turf with an attractive medium to dark green color, occasionally exhibiting blue-green hues; height ranges from 1.5 to 3 inches when maintained, and up to 18-24 inches if left unmowed with open, pyramidal panicle seed heads
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat to folded with distinct parallel veins and characteristic boat-shaped tips; vernation is folded in the bud; short membranous ligule and no auricles
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system combined with aggressive underground rhizomes, moderate establishment speed, high thatch-forming tendency under high maintenance, and forms a very tough, durable sod
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and northern Asia, widely naturalized and cultivated across North America and temperate regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous, spreading extensively via underground stems to form a dense, uniform turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours daily), moderate to high watering needs for optimal appearance, enters summer dormancy during severe drought, prefers well-drained fertile soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.0 to 3.0 inches, mowed weekly during peak growth, requires medium-high maintenance including 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually, regular dethatching, and core aeration
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear tolerance due to aggressive rhizomatous recovery, good cold hardiness, moderate shade tolerance compared to fine fescues, excellent self-repairing capabilities, and highly favored for home lawns and sports fields
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides good erosion control and soil stabilization, offers minor wildlife habitat value, non-invasive in managed turf settings, and commonly blended with perennial ryegrass and fescues