Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass, commonly used in the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (or uncertified seeded types showing standard dormancy patterns)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat and drought tolerance, but goes dormant and turns brown when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
Forms a dense turf with fine to medium texture. Reaches 2 to 12 inches if unmowed, maintained lower at 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Bright green to medium green during active summer growth, turning straw-brown and going dormant during cold winter months. Produces slender, digitate seed head spikes at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-4mm), flat, tapering to a pointed tip. Color is light to dark blue-green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Features a hairy ligule (frill of hairs), no auricles, and a narrow continuous collar region.
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system combined with robust rhizomes and stolons. Moderate thatch-forming tendency under high fertility and watering. Establishes rapidly from seed or vegetative plugs/sod, providing excellent drought tolerance and fast wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in warm temperate and tropical zones
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-resistant mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight; poor shade tolerance). Moderate watering needs for optimal appearance, but exhibits high drought tolerance through summer dormancy. Prefers well-draining soils with pH ranging from 5.8 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.75 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower. High mowing frequency (1-2 times per week during peak growth). High fertilizer requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Requires periodic dethatching and core aeration. Maintenance level is Medium to High.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, making it ideal for sports fields and high-use areas. Good drought recovery via underground rhizomes. Moderate salt tolerance. Poor shade tolerance. Aggressive growth habit helps crowd out weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to dense mat-forming roots and stolons. Offers limited wildlife food value compared to native prairie species, but serves as important cover in managed landscapes. Frequently forms pure stands.