Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda / Tifway (Typical fine-textured turf cultivars)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10, excellent heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns brown with frost
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a grayish-green to dark green color; fine to medium texture; aggressive grower that forms a tight mat
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 2-4mm, flat, pointed tip, grayish-green, folded in bud, ligule is a fringe of hairs
Root System
Deep fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes and stolons; fast establishment from seed or sod, excellent wear recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; cultivated globally in warm climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (minimum 6-8 hours), high drought tolerance, moderate to high water needs for optimal green color
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow low (0.5 to 1.5 inches), frequent mowing needed, high fertility requirements (3-5 lbs N/1000 sq ft), high maintenance
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance, high traffic recovery, good salt tolerance, poor shade tolerance, highly invasive in flower beds
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides good erosion control, valuable pasture grass in warm regions, can become a persistent weed