Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn, Sports Turf, and Golf Course Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a common or hybrid turf-type variety (e.g., Tifway 419 or similar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns tan/brown when temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
Low-growing, dense, and mat-forming turf with a medium to fine texture. It turns brown/dormant in cold weather and exhibits a deep green to gray-green color during the growing season. Seed heads are distinctive finger-like spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine width, generally 1.5-3mm; flat or slightly folded; pointed tips; gray-green to dark green; folded vernation; hairy ligule with no auricles; hairs present on the leaf sheath and collar.
Root System
Extensive and deep fibrous root system combined with rhizomes; high thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment; excellent wear recovery and drought survival.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates globally
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive and spreading via both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance but requires regular water for green color; thrives in well-drained soils with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches; frequent mowing required; high fertilization needs (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year); requires periodic vertical mowing (dethatching) and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic/wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; rapid recovery from injury; highly competitive against weeds when healthy.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions; can be invasive in gardens or native habitats; provides excellent soil stabilization and erosion control; often used as a base for warm-season sports turf.