Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Common blend (e.g., 'Midnight', 'Bewitched')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7, excellent cold tolerance, goes dormant in extreme summer heat.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, high-quality turf with medium-fine texture and rich dark green to blue-green color. Mown height typically 1.5 to 2.5 inches; unmowed can reach up to 18 to 24 inches with pyramidal seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine blades (2-4mm wide), flat to folded, with distinctive boat-shaped tips. Folded in the bud, smooth texture with prominent parallel veins. Membranous ligule and no auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system with extensive aggressive rhizomes, creating a very dense sod. Prone to thatch accumulation under high maintenance; slow establishment from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, Northern Asia, and mountainous parts of the US; cultivated globally in temperate regions.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous, spreading underground to form a dense, uniform turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily), moderate to high watering needs, moderate drought tolerance entering dormancy during severe dry spells, prefers well-drained fertile soils with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.0 to 3.0 inches. High maintenance requirement, needs regular fertilization (3-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), periodic dethatching and core aeration.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance and exceptional self-repair capability via rhizomes. Moderate shade tolerance (poor compared to fine fescues), good disease resistance depending on cultivar, excellent erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides basic wildlife cover and soil stabilization, highly valued for residential and commercial turf landscapes.