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 (unimproved wild type or standard utility cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, with some cold-tolerant varieties surviving in Zone 6. Excellent heat tolerance and can withstand prolonged drought and high temperatures. Goes completely dormant and turns brown when temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a fine to medium texture. Unmowed height can reach 4-15 inches, while maintained turf is kept low at 0.5-1.5 inches. Color ranges from bright green to grayish-green during the active growing season, turning brown and going dormant during winter frosts. Produces digitate seed heads with 3-7 slender spikes at the top of upright stems.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (1-3mm), flat to folded, with pointed tips. Color is light to medium green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous and often has sparse hairs.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending down several feet in favorable soils, complemented by vigorous rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high fertility and irrigation. Rapid establishment speed from seed, sod, or sprigs. Excellent drought tolerance and rapid wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions globally
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable, mat-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8-10 hours of direct sunlight daily; extremely intolerant of shade). High drought tolerance due to deep roots and dormancy capabilities, but requires regular irrigation for optimal green turf. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, but adapts well to various soil types.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Requires frequent mowing (every 3-5 days during peak growth) due to rapid growth rate. High nitrogen requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year for high-maintenance turf). Regular dethatching and annual core aeration are necessary. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recuperative ability, making it ideal for sports fields and golf courses. Good salt tolerance. Poor shade tolerance. Susceptible to certain diseases like dollar spot and large patch, and pests such as sod webworms and grubs. Excellent for erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides limited wildlife habitat compared to native prairie grasses, though birds and small mammals consume the seeds. Excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control due to dense root and stolon network. Can act as an invasive weed in flower beds and cool-season lawns due to aggressive spreading.