Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild-type or standard selections)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. Excellent heat and drought tolerance, but goes dormant and turns brown with the first heavy frost. Poor cold tolerance compared to cool-season grasses.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with grayish-green to medium-green leaves. It spreads rapidly to form a tight mat and can become invasive in flower beds. Height varies greatly depending on maintenance, from under 0.5 inches on golf greens to several inches if unmowed, featuring finger-like seed head spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-3 mm), flat, with pointed tips and smooth to slightly rough margins. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. Collar is continuous and light green.
Root System
Fibrous and deep-rooting (up to several feet in ideal soils) with extensive creeping rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high fertility and watering. Establishes rapidly from seed or vegetative plugs/sod and recovers quickly from wear.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, now widely naturalized and cultivated globally in warm climates.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (intolerant of dense shade). Moderate water needs once established with excellent drought tolerance, entering dormancy during prolonged dry spells. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 0.75 to 1.5 inches for residential lawns (lower for golf turf). Requires frequent mowing during the active growing season. High fertilizer requirements for optimal color and density (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). High maintenance level overall.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance, making it ideal for sports fields and high-use areas. Good salt tolerance and drought recovery. Poor shade tolerance. Aggressively crowds out weeds when healthy.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its extensive root and stolon network. Can act as a persistent weed in agricultural settings and landscape beds outside of turf areas.