Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance; enters dormant brown state when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
Low-growing, wiry perennial grass that forms a dense turf. It is grey-green in color and turns straw-colored (dormant) in cold temperatures. It features short blades and distinctive finger-like (digitate) seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or folded, with a pointed tip. Color is typically grey-green to dark green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with thick rhizomes and surface stolons. High thatch-forming tendency; very fast establishment speed and excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially common in the Southern United States.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive spreading habit forming a dense, mat-like sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0; requires regular water during establishment.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches; requires frequent mowing; fertilization needs are high (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year); requires regular dethatching and aeration; High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic/wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; rapid recovery from damage; highly effective at crowding out weeds when healthy.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in gardens or non-target areas; often blended with Ryegrass for winter color in warmer climates.