Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass (fairways/tees)
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Elite Cultivars (appearing to be an Elite Kentucky Bluegrass blend)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; enters winter dormancy in freezing temperatures turning straw-colored if not maintained.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing turf with a rich, dark green to blue-green color. Mown height is typically 2.5-3.5 inches, with a fine to medium texture and a lush, carpet-like appearance.
Blade Characteristics
Boat-shaped (v-shaped) leaf tips with parallel veins and a distinct center mid-rib. Width 2-4mm, vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately shallow fibrous roots combined with extensive horizontal rhizomes. Slow to establish from seed but forms a very tight, durable sod with high thatch potential.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Asia, and Northern Africa; widely adapted to temperate climates of North America.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), forming a dense, self-repairing sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun is preferred (minimum 6-8 hours); moderate to high watering needs; goes dormant during extreme drought or heat but recovers when moisture returns.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5-3.5 inches; frequent mowing required; high fertility needs (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); benefits from core aeration to manage thatch.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic tolerance and recovery due to rhizomes; highly susceptible to leaf spot, melting out, and necrotic ring spot; superior winter hardiness.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides cover for small insects; often blended with Perennial Ryegrass or Tall Fescue for increased genetic diversity and disease resistance.