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 or seeded variety)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with high heat tolerance and enters winter dormancy (turning brown) when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing, fine-to-medium textured turf with a grayish-green to medium-green color, spreading rapidly to form a tight mat
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat blades with pointed tips, folded in the bud (vernation), with a hairy or membranous fringe ligule and no prominent auricles
Root System
Deep fibrous root system with extensive rhizomes and stolons, offering rapid establishment and excellent wear recovery, moderate to high thatch tendency
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa, widely naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressive spreader utilizing both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight), high drought tolerance once established, prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.75 to 1.5 inches, high maintenance level requiring frequent mowing during peak growing season and 3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, good salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery, aggressive weed crowding capability, widely used for sports fields and home lawns
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes, low wildlife food value but functions effectively as a tough ground cover