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, Golf Course Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild type or standard utility turf)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10 (and warmer parts of Zone 6). Excellent heat and drought tolerance, but goes into winter dormancy (turning straw-brown) when temperatures drop below 50°F. Sensitive to prolonged freezing temperatures.
About This Grass
A fine- to medium-textured, vigorous warm-season turfgrass forming a dense sod. It features blue-green to grayish-green leaves. Unmowed height can reach 4 to 12 inches, but it is typically maintained very low (0.5 to 1.5 inches). Produces digitate seed heads with 3 to 7 slender spikes arranged in a cluster at the top of the stem.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are flat, short, and narrow (2-3 mm wide), tapering to a sharp pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar is continuous and often features hairs on the margins.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive fibrous root system (often reaching depths of 4-6 feet or more in favorable soils). Rapid establishment from seed, stolons, and rhizomes. Produces a moderate to high amount of thatch under high fertility and moisture. Excellent drought recovery and wear tolerance due to aggressive spreading structures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to East Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized in warm temperate regions globally
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-resistant mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight daily; extremely poor shade tolerance). High drought tolerance through entering dormancy during severe dry spells. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, but adapts well to various soil types including sandy and clay soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower. Requires frequent mowing during the active growing season. High fertilizer requirements for optimal appearance (3-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Requires regular dethatching and core aeration due to rapid thatch accumulation. Overall maintenance level is Medium to High.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance making it ideal for sports fields, golf course fairways, and high-traffic lawns. High salt tolerance. Good recovery from injury due to aggressive stolon and rhizome growth. Aggressive nature allows it to crowd out many weeds, but can become an invasive weed in flower beds and cool-season lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes and coastal areas due to its dense network of roots and runners. Low wildlife food value compared to native prairie grasses, though grazing animals consume the foliage. Often managed as an invasive weed in agricultural settings or non-turf landscapes.