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 / Tifway 419 hybrid characteristics
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10, tolerates extreme summer heat well, goes dormant and turns brown when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with fine to medium texture. Bright green during active summer growth, turning straw-colored or brown during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are flat, short, 2-4 mm wide, pointed tips, gray-green to light green color, folded in the bud (vernation). Features a fringe of hairs in place of a membranous ligule, and lacks auricles.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes and stolons. Establishes rapidly from sod or seed, prone to moderate thatch accumulation under high maintenance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely cultivated in southern US and transition zone
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours direct sunlight). High drought tolerance via dormancy, but requires regular moisture for best appearance. Thrives in well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow low at 0.5 to 1.5 inches frequently. High fertilizer requirements during growing season (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Requires periodic dethatching and aeration. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recuperative ability due to aggressive stoloniferous/rhizomatous growth. Good salt and drought tolerance. Poor shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Can become invasive in agricultural settings or flower beds due to aggressive spreading runners.