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 or 'Tifway' (hybrid selection)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, low cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F and turns straw-colored with frosts). Excellent in southern climates and the southern transition zone.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a fine to medium-fine texture and light to dark green color. Height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches when mowed. Exhibits winter dormancy where it turns brown under cold conditions. Seed heads feature multiple finger-like spikes arranged in a digitate cluster.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-narrow (2-4mm wide), flat, with pointed tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Color ranges from light to medium green. Features a membranous-fringed ligule and lacks auricles, with a continuous collar region.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil, combined with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high fertility. Fast establishment from seed or vegetative plugs, providing exceptional drought tolerance and rapid wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in southern regions and transition zones globally.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-tolerant turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight). Moderate watering needs once established, but exhibits high drought tolerance by going into summer dormancy during severe dry spells. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.75 to 1.5 inches for hybrid cultivars and up to 2 inches for common varieties. Requires frequent mowing during peak growing season. High fertilizer requirements (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, making it ideal for sports fields and high-use lawns. Good drought recovery, moderate salt tolerance, and aggressive weed-crowding ability. Poor shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its extensive stolon/rhizome network. Serves as a wildlife food source and grazing forage, though aggressive spreading can sometimes make it invasive in non-turf agricultural settings.