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
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (shown in a mixed residential/urban setting)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. High heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy when soil temperatures drop below 50-55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry, dark green grass that forms a dense, tough sod. When unmowed, it can reach 12 inches; maintained turf is significantly shorter. It has a medium-to-fine texture and turns straw-colored during winter dormancy. Seed heads are distinctive finger-like spikes (3-7 spikes) arranged in a whorl.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly V-shaped, with a pointed tip. Color ranges from light to dark green. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent; collar is narrow with hairs at the edges.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system supported by both surface stolons and deep underground rhizomes. High thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment speed; excellent drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including the Southern United States and Australia.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and Rhizomatous; aggressive spreading habit with high-density mat formation.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate watering needs once established; high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 0.5 to 1.5 inches. High mowing frequency required during peak summer. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Requires periodic dethatching and aeration. High maintenance level for optimal appearance.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance and recovery due to rhizomes. High salt tolerance. Susceptible to Spring Dead Spot and Dollar Spot. Highly effective at crowding out weeds and controlling erosion.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization and filtration. Can be invasive in garden beds due to aggressive stolons. Often used in blends with cool-season grasses (overseeding with Ryegrass) for year-round green in transition zones.