Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved/wild type)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with some cold-hardy varieties surviving in zone 6. Enters winter dormancy when temperatures drop consistently below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured carpet of gray-green to bright green turf. Aggressive grower that spreads rapidly across the ground surface and underground. Goes dormant and turns straw-brown with the first hard frosts in autumn.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat blades with pointed tips, blue-green to gray-green color, folded vernation in the bud, prominent hairs or fringe of hairs forming the ligule, with a continuous collar and absent auricles.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending up to 6 feet or more in favorable soils. Highly drought resistant once established, moderate to high thatch tendency, rapid establishment from seed, plugs, or sod, excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both rhizomes and stolons, forming a dense turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight); highly intolerant of dense shade. High drought tolerance (goes dormant during severe drought and greens up quickly with water). Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Requires frequent mowing during peak growing season due to rapid vertical and horizontal growth. Moderate to high maintenance level, requiring regular fertilization and dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, excellent ability to recover from damage via stolons/rhizomes, good salt tolerance, excellent erosion control capabilities, and aggressively crowds out most weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes and banks. Can exhibit invasive tendencies in agricultural settings or flower beds adjacent to turf areas.