Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass; highly adapted to the transition zone.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (uncultivated wild type visible in a dormant or transitioning state)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, with some cold-hardy cultivars surviving in Zone 6 transition areas. Enters winter dormancy and turns brown when temperatures drop consistently below 50°F.
About This Grass
Exhibits aggressive spreading behavior. The image shows dormant or dead thatch mixed with emerging green shoots from underground rhizomes as it greens up from winter dormancy or recovers from stress. Unmowed height can reach 6-12 inches, but when maintained it forms a dense, low-growing turf. Color is grayish-green when active, turning straw-brown during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-3mm), flat, with pointed tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Features a fringe of hairs in place of a membranous ligule, with absent or inconspicuous auricles.
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency depending on management. Establishes quickly from sod or seed, excellent drought recovery and wear resistance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to East Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide. Cultivated extensively in southern and transition zones of the US.
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 water needs once established, exceptionally high drought tolerance by going dormant during dry spells. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches using a reel or rotary mower. Requires frequent mowing during peak growing season. High fertilization needs (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Regular dethatching and aeration are necessary due to rapid thatch buildup. High maintenance level for optimal appearance.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, making it ideal for sports fields and high-use lawns. Good tolerance to salt and drought. Rapid recuperative ability from damage thanks to aggressive stolons and rhizomes. Poor shade and cold tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its dense mat-forming root system. Can become invasive in agricultural settings or flower beds adjacent to turf areas.