Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass. Performs well in the transition zone and southern regions.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild-type or standard turf cultivars like 'Princess 77' or 'Riviera')
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns straw-colored with the first hard frost, greens up quickly in spring.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured turf with bright green to grayish-green coloration. Height can reach 6 to 12 inches if unmowed, but maintained at 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Seed heads consist of 2 to 6 slender, digitate spikes at the top of slender stems.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-4mm), flat, tapering to a pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous with hairs.
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil. Moderate to high thatch tendency under high fertilization. Rapid establishment and excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide. Widely naturalized and cultivated across southern United States and transition zones.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground). Forms an exceptionally dense, tight mat or sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight daily). Moderate water needs once established, with excellent drought tolerance by entering dormancy during extreme dry periods. Prefers well-draining soils with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.75 to 1.5 inches for home lawns (lower for golf courses). Requires frequent mowing (2 times per week during peak growth). High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (4-6 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year) and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recuperative ability from damage. Good salt tolerance. Poor shade tolerance. Excellent erosion control capability.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides low wildlife food value compared to native grasses, but exceptional soil stabilization and runoff reduction. Can act as an invasive weed in flower beds and non-turf areas due to aggressive creeping runners.