Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Elite type (e.g., Midnight, Baron)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance, poor heat tolerance
About This Grass
A dark green, medium-to-fine textured grass that forms an aggressive, dense turf. It goes dormant in mid-summer heat or severe drought.
Blade Characteristics
Boat-shaped tips (distinctive), 2-4mm width, folded vernation, smooth and bluish-green, no auricles, short membranous ligule
Root System
Fibrous and rhizomatous; deep-rooting potential but often stays in upper 6 inches; high thatch tendency and excellent sod formation
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Asia; adapted to cool, temperate climates
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), form dense sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (minimum 6 hours), high water requirement, low shade tolerance, prefers well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
2.0-3.5 inches, frequent mowing, 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft/year, high maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear recovery due to rhizomes, highly susceptible to Necrotic Ring Spot and Summer Patch, high aesthetic value
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America; provides forage for herbivores and stabilization for cool-climate soils