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 wild-type or standard selections)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10 (some cold-hardy varieties survive in Zone 6). Excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F). Major grass of the southern transition zone and warm-climate regions.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a medium-fine texture. Bright green to grayish-green color during the active growing season, turning straw-colored (dormant) with the first hard frost. Height ranges from 0.5 to 2 inches when maintained, and up to 6-12 inches if unmowed. Produces slender, digitate seed heads with 3-7 spikes radiating from a single point.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat shape, pointed tips, gray-green to bright green color. Rolled in the bud (vernation). Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. Collar is continuous with sparse hairs.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil, coupled with robust rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high fertility and watering. Fast establishment from seed, sprigs, or sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in warm temperate to tropical regions globally.
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). High drought tolerance via entering dormancy during severe water stress. Thrives in well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow frequently at 0.5 to 1.5 inches for hybrid turfs, or 1.0 to 2.0 inches for common varieties. High fertilization needs during peak growth (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Requires regular dethatching and vertical mowing due to aggressive runner production. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear recovery due to aggressive stoloniferous/rhizomatous growth. Good salt tolerance. Excellent drought recovery and erosion control. Can be invasive in flower beds due to aggressive spreading.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes and coastal areas. Limited wildlife value compared to native prairie grasses, though heavily grazed by livestock when used in pastures. Often blended or utilized as a standalone monoculture turf.