Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
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 / pasture variety)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10 (and transition zones). Excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (goes dormant and may suffer winter kill below freezing temperatures without proper care).
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a fine to medium texture. Color ranges from light green to dark green during the active growing season, turning brown and going completely dormant during winter frosts. Unmowed height can reach 4 to 15 inches, producing slender, finger-like spike seed heads arranged in a digitate raceme.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-narrow (2-4mm wide), flat, with pointed tips. Color is grayish-green to medium green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous with hairs at the margins.
Root System
Extremely deep and aggressive root system, often reaching several feet deep into the soil profile. Rapid establishment from seed, stolons, and rhizomes. High thatch tendency under high nitrogen and water, excellent drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa, widely naturalized and cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, and the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a very dense, tight sod and mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily) and has zero shade tolerance. Moderate to high water needs for optimal green color and growth, but exhibits superior drought tolerance by entering summer dormancy if unwatered. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is low, ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 inches, requiring frequent mowing (2 times per week during peak growth). High fertilization needs (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually for high-maintenance turf). Requires regular dethatching and aeration due to rapid thatch accumulation. High overall maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear recovery, making it ideal for sports fields, golf courses, and high-traffic lawns. Good salt tolerance and excellent drought recovery. Highly invasive in flower beds due to aggressive above-ground and below-ground runners.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes due to extensive root network. Can be invasive in agricultural and garden settings. Serves as a grazing forage for livestock in pasture settings.