Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (based on medium-coarse texture and visible stolon thickness)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; thrives in heat and enters dormancy when temperatures consistently drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry grass that forms a dense, sod-like turf. It is grey-green to dark green in color. When mowed, it remains tight and carpet-like; if left unmowed, it produces slender stems with distinctive finger-like seed heads (spikes) in a whorl. It turns completely tan/brown during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium-fine to medium (roughly 2-4mm). Blades are flat or V-shaped with a sharply pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. The ligule is a short fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent. The leaf surface is typically hairless except for occasional hairs at the base near the collar.
Root System
Extensive and vigorous; deep fibrous root system often reaching 6 feet deep, though most mass is in the top 6 inches. Strong rhizomes and stolons contribute to rapid recovery and high thatch-forming potential.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized across the Southern United States, Australia, and Mediterranean climates
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous (highly invasive spreading both above and below ground); forms a very dense, low-growing mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate watering once established; high drought tolerance and prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 1.0 to 2.0 inches for common varieties. High frequency mowing (1-2 times per week) to prevent scalping. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year. High maintenance; needs frequent dethatching and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear/traffic tolerance and rapid recovery from injury. High salt tolerance and excellent drought resistance. Susceptible to Large Patch (Rhizoctonia) and Spring Dead Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in many regions outside its native Africa; highly effective for soil stabilization on slopes; provides minimal wildlife value compared to native bunchgrasses; often considered a weed in gardens due to its aggressive rhizomes.