Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (goes dormant and turns straw-colored with the first frost).
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda or hybrid like 'Tifway'
About This Grass
Dense, fine-to-medium-textured turf with bright green to grayish-green color, capable of forming a tightly knit, carpet-like mat when properly maintained. Extremely resilient and fast-growing.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat blades with pointed tips, folded in the bud (vernation), grayish-green to medium green color, prominent midrib.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system with aggressive spreading rhizomes and stolons; moderate to high thatch tendency; establishes quickly from seed or sod, providing excellent drought tolerance and fast wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (poor shade tolerance); moderate water needs with high drought tolerance (enters dormancy during severe drought); prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Low to high maintenance depending on use; ideal mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches; requires frequent mowing during peak growing season; high fertilizer requirements for optimal appearance.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, good recovery from damage, high salt tolerance, poor shade tolerance, highly invasive in flower beds due to aggressive stolons/rhizomes.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in many parts of the world; provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to dense root mat; minimal wildlife food value compared to native grasses; often managed as a weed in non-turf areas.