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, Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (demonstrated by the aggressive, creeping habit and coarse texture visible in the image)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. High heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, highly resilient grass that forms a thick mat. It is light to dark green during the growing season and turns straw-colored or brown during winter dormancy. Unmowed, it can reach 12-18 inches; maintained, it forms a dense, fine-to-medium carpet. Seed heads are spike-like, arranged in a finger-like whorl of 3-7 branches.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine-to-medium (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a pointed tip. Color is typically a medium green. Vernation is folded in the bud. A distinctive ring of white hairs replaces the ligule, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes. High thatch-forming tendency; very fast establishment speed. The deep roots provide exceptional drought tolerance and one of the best wear-recovery rates of all grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates globally
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive growth via both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground creeping stems), forming a dense, mat-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Moderate water needs with high drought tolerance; thrives in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 0.5 to 1.5 inches for common varieties. Frequency: 1-2 times per week. High maintenance: Requires frequent fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year) and annual vertical mowing/dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance, high salt tolerance, and superior drought recovery. Known for crowding out most weeds due to its aggressive density. Susceptible to Large Patch and Spring Dead Spot diseases.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in most of the Western Hemisphere. Excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control. Can be invasive in garden beds and agricultural fields; often used as a companion to rye grass for winter Overseeding.