Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda or 'Tifway' hybrid cultivar, known for fine texture and dense turf
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with some cold-tolerant varieties surviving in Zone 6. Goes completely dormant and turns brown with the first hard frost.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a medium-fine texture. Bright green to grayish-green color during the active growing season, turning brown and going dormant under frost. Seed heads consist of 3 to 7 digitate spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine blades (2-3mm width), flat to folded, pointed tips, grayish-green to medium green color, folded in the bud (vernation). Ligule is a fringe of hairs, auricles are absent, and the collar is continuous.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil, coupled with aggressive rhizomes and stolons. High drought tolerance and rapid recovery from wear via aggressive spreading.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide, widely naturalized in warm climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-resistant mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight). Moderate watering needs once established, excellent drought tolerance through summer dormancy. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height range from 0.5 to 1.5 inches for hybrid cultivars, frequent mowing required during peak growth. High fertilizer requirement for optimal color and density. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, fast recovery capacity, good salt tolerance, excellent drought and heat tolerance, poor shade tolerance, and aggressive weed suppression.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes and banks, highly valued for turf applications but can act as an invasive weed in flower beds and gardens.