Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. High heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns straw-brown after the first hard frost. Limited cold tolerance; can suffer winter-kill in northern zone 7.
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry perennial grass that forms a dense sod. It has a medium to dark green color and a relatively fine texture compared to other warm-season grasses. Seed heads are distinctive finger-like spikes arranged in a star-shaped pattern (digitiform) at the top of stems.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium (2-4mm), flat or slightly V-shaped, with a pointed tip. Vernation is folded. Features a conspicuous fringe of hairs at the ligule; auricles are absent. The leaf surface is sparsely hairy to smooth with prominent mid-veins.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes. Moderate to high thatch tendency; establishes very quickly. Excellent wear recovery and drought tolerance due to deep reaching roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and Europe; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide.
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive spreading via both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above ground); forms a dense, low-growing mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Moderate water needs but extreme drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height of 0.5 to 1.5 inches for common varieties. Frequent mowing is required during peak summer. Medium to high maintenance; responds well to 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; requires regular aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic/wear tolerance; excellent ability to crowd out weeds when managed; good salt tolerance; highly invasive in garden beds; susceptible to spring dead spot and dollar spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control. Often considered a weed in ornamental landscapes but valued for high-traffic forage. Can be invasive in native ecosystems.