Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or 'Midnight' type blend
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance but poor heat tolerance in the Deep South.
About This Grass
A dark green to blue-green grass with a smooth, upright growth habit. It forms a lush, carpet-like lawn when well-maintained and provides a fine-to-medium texture. It exhibits a paniculate seed head when unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), V-shaped or flat, distinguished by a unique boat-shaped tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is short, membranous, and truncate; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system with extensive rhizomes. Known for high thatch-forming potential and the ability to recover from wear via underground runners.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, Northern Asia, and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), forming a dense, self-repairing sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred (requires 6+ hours); moderate shade tolerance. High water requirements; enters summer dormancy during severe drought to survive.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintain at 2.5 to 3.5 inches. High maintenance level requiring 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; requires regular aeration to manage thatch.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery; susceptible to necrotic ring spot and summer patch; good salt tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized; provides significant soil stabilization and erosion control; often blended with Perennial Ryegrass or Fine Fescue for site-specific adaptation.