Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass, highly suitable for transition zones
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, Pasture
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, excellent heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns straw-colored below 50°F (10°C), susceptible to severe frost damage in deep northern zones
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild-type / naturalized selections)
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with grayish-green to medium-green blades; unmaintained can reach 4-15 inches with digitated seed heads featuring 3 to 7 slender spikes radiating from a single point
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat, tapering to a sharp point, grayish-green, rolled in the bud (vernation), with a prominent membranous fringe ligule and absent auricles
Root System
Deep fibrous root system reaching up to 6 feet or more in favorable soils, highly drought-resistant, rapid establishment from seed and vegetative runners, moderate thatch builder
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to East Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized globally
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours direct sunlight), high drought tolerance entering dormancy during severe dry spells, prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height 0.5 to 1.5 inches using a reel or rotary mower, high nitrogen requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually in active season), frequent mowing required, high overall maintenance
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recuperative ability from stolons, highly invasive in flowerbeds, moderate salt tolerance, excellent for athletic fields and golf course fairways
Ecological Information
Widely used for erosion control on slopes and coastal areas, provides limited wildlife value compared to native prairies, often acts as an invasive weed in non-turf agricultural settings