Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda / Tifway hybrid types
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10, excellent heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns brown below 50F
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured carpet of medium-green color, grows 2-6 inches tall if unmowed but typically maintained low (0.5-1.5 inches)
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat, pointed tip, gray-green to medium green, folded in bud, hairy ligule, no auricles, continuous collar
Root System
Deep fibrous root system going down several feet with aggressive stolons and rhizomes, moderate-to-high thatch tendency, fast establishment
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa, widely naturalized in tropical and warm temperate regions globally
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons and rhizomes, forming a dense, wear-resistant sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (minimum 6-8 hours), high drought tolerance through dormancy, thrives in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Low to medium height (0.5 to 1.5 inches), high mowing frequency, frequent fertilization needed for dark green color, high maintenance
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance, rapid recuperative ability, good salt tolerance, poor shade tolerance
Ecological Information
Introduced species, highly effective for soil stabilization and erosion control, can be invasive in agricultural settings, low wildlife forage value compared to native grasses