Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7, excellent cold tolerance, moderate heat tolerance, goes dormant during extreme summer heat in the transition zone.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Variety / Cultivar
Common blend, often including varieties like 'Midnight' or 'Baronie' known for deep green color and disease resistance
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured turf with a rich green to blue-green color. Mowed height is typically maintained at 1.5 to 2.5 inches, while unmowed height can reach 18 to 24 inches with pyramidal panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat with distinct parallel veins and characteristic boat-shaped tips. Vernation is folded in the bud with a short, membranous ligule and absent auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system combined with vigorous underground rhizomes. Forms a very dense sod, has moderate thatch-forming tendencies, and exhibits moderate establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and Northern Asia; widely naturalized and cultivated across North America and temperate regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressively rhizomatous, forming a dense, uniform, spreading turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours daily) for optimal growth, though some cultivars offer moderate shade tolerance. High water needs during dry spells, goes into summer dormancy under severe drought, prefers well-drained loamy soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 1.5 to 2.5 inches. Requires regular fertilization (3-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), periodic dethatching, and aeration. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and self-repairing ability via rhizomes. Good cold hardiness, moderate traffic recovery, susceptible to certain diseases like leaf spot, dollar spot, and summer patch under stress.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to dense root and rhizome network. Commonly mixed with Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue for lawn establishment.