Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Pasture, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (likely based on coarse texture and visible stolons)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. Shows poor cold tolerance and turns completely brown (dormant) when temperatures consistently drop below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A dense, light-to-mid green grass that thrives in heat. It has a visible network of stolons (runners) that creep over the soil surface. When maintained, it is short and tight; when unmowed, it produces slender, finger-like (digitate) seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium to coarse (2.5-4mm); flat or sometimes folded. Tips are sharply pointed. Color shown is a medium dull green with some browning. Vernation is folded. Ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent. The leaf surface is often sparsely hairy.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes. It has high thatch-forming tendencies and excellent wear recovery due to its rapid lateral spread via stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and Europe; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical climates worldwide as well as the transition zone.
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both rhizomatous (underground) and stoloniferous (above ground). Forms a very dense, low-growing mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires Full Sun (6-8 hours minimum) and has very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; highly drought-tolerant but will go semi-dormant during extreme dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.0 to 2.0 inches for common varieties. High frequency mowing (1-2 times per week) is required to prevent thatch buildup. Fertilization needs are high (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year during summer).
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance. High salt tolerance. Excellent drought recovery. Moderate disease resistance but prone to Spring Dead Spot and Large Patch in wet conditions.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; can be highly invasive in garden beds and agricultural fields. Provides decent soil stabilization. Often mixed with Ryegrass for winter color (overseeding).