Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Golf Course, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda or Hybrid (likely 'Tifway' or similar based on density)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; high heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance (prone to winter kill in northern climates). Goes dormant and brown after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
A low-growing, dense turfgrass with a fine to medium texture. It maintains a deep green color when actively growing but turns straw-colored and dormant in temperatures below 50°F. Seed heads are distinctive, shaped like a bird's foot with 3-7 finger-like spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (1.5-3mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. It has a distinctive fringe of hairs for a ligule and small or absent auricles. Vernation is folded in the bud; color is dark green to blue-green.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive fibrous root system (can reach 6+ feet deep), allowing for rapid recovery and high drought tolerance. High thatch-forming tendency due to dense stolons and rhizomes.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive spreading via both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above surface); forms a dense, mat-like sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires Full Sun (at least 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; exceptional drought tolerance but thrives with regular deep watering. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height: 0.5 - 1.5 inches for hybrids, 1.5 - 2.5 inches for common varieties. High maintenance: requires frequent mowing (every 3-5 days), moderate to high fertilization (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year), and occasional dethatching/verticutting.
Special Characteristics
Superior wear tolerance and rapid recovery from injury. High salt tolerance, excellent at crowding out weeds, but can become invasive in garden beds. Very high drought recovery ability.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Low wildlife value as food, but provides cover for small insects/reptiles. Can be invasive in non-turf areas.