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 or hybrid like 'Tifway'
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, excellent heat and drought tolerance, poor cold tolerance with complete winter dormancy below freezing
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured lawn of medium green to dark green color, turning brown/dormant with the first frost; unmowed height can reach 4-15 inches with slender seed head spikes
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat blades with pointed tips, grayish-green to medium green color, rolled in the bud (vernation), small membranous or hairy ligule, and absent or small auricles
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system with extensive stolons and rhizomes, fast establishment from seed or sod, moderate to high thatch tendency under high fertility, provides excellent drought recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely cultivated in southern and transition zones of the US
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-resistant turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (poor shade tolerance), requires moderate to high water for optimal appearance but exhibits excellent drought dormancy and survival, prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 5.8 to 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.75 to 1.5 inches for hybrid types (up to 2 inches for common), frequent mowing required, high fertilization needs (4-6 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year), high maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, rapid self-repair from damage via stolons/rhizomes, good salt tolerance, aggressive growth habits help crowd out weeds
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes, can behave invasively into flower beds due to aggressive spreading stolons