Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season (C3), Perennial
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Native Prairie, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Wild-type (Integrated in native wildflower mix)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-7; excellent cold tolerance (down to -30°F); poor heat tolerance, struggling in the deep South; goes dormant in winter/extreme heat.
About This Grass
An upright and leafy grass with a soft texture and distinct dark to medium green color. In an unmowed state as shown, it reaches 12-24 inches with airy, pyramid-shaped panicle seed heads. It is dense-growing but allows for inter-species growth in meadow contexts.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm); V-shaped or flat; boat-shaped (keeled) leaf tips; dark green to blue-green color; vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is very short and membranous; auricles are absent.
Root System
Relatively shallow but extensive fibrous root system with strong rhizomes that allow for rapid recovery and thatch development; moderate establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, Northern Asia, and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America, particularly in the northern and transition zones.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading underground), forming a dense, durable sod over time with a moderate rate of spread.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun but has moderate shade tolerance; requires consistent moisture (~1 inch per week) and has poor drought resistance, often entering summer dormancy to survive dry periods.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5-3.5 inches for turf; in meadows, it is often left unmowed; requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually for high-quality turf; medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery due to rhizomes; susceptible to leaf spot and dollar spot in humid conditions; known for being the 'gold standard' for northern home lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides cover for small mammals and nesting sites for birds; stable sod-former helps prevent soil erosion; often used in wildflower mixes as a 'nurse grass' or filler.