Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass; highly adapted to transition and warm regions
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, Golf Course Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (wild-type or unselected seeded variety)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, with some cold-hardy varieties surviving into Zone 6; goes dormant and turns straw-brown upon first frost; excellent heat and drought tolerance
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with grayish-green to medium-green leaves; excellent wear tolerance and rapid recovery; spreads aggressively horizontally; height can reach up to 6-12 inches if unmowed, but maintained at 0.5-1.5 inches in lawns
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3 mm), flat or folded, pointed tips, light to medium green color, folded vernation in the bud, prominent ligule consisting of a fringe of hairs, collar is continuous with hairs
Root System
Deep fibrous root system going down several feet in favorable soils, producing both rhizomes and stolons; moderate to high thatch tendency; establishes quickly from seed or vegetative plugs/sod; exceptional drought tolerance via dormancy
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World (Africa, Asia, and southern Europe); widely naturalized globally in warm climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, tight, wear-resistant turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight; intolerant of heavy shade); high drought tolerance by going dormant during severe dry periods; moderate to high water needs for optimal green color and growth; prefers well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height range from 0.5 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower; frequent mowing required during peak growing season; high fertilizer requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); regular dethatching and aeration needed; high maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance; good recovery from damage; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; prone to certain fungal diseases if overwatered; excellent for lawns, athletic fields, and golf course fairways/tees
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes; can act as an invasive weed in flower beds and cool-season turf due to aggressive stoloniferous and rhizomatous spread; limited wildlife food value compared to native prairie grasses