Bermuda Grass (Common or Hybrid)
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Golf Course, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Likely Common Bermuda or an older cultivar; exhibits slightly wider blades and more open growth than modern dwarf hybrids like 'TifEagle'.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; thrives in heat and high humidity; enters dormancy when temperatures consistently drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, grey-green to dark green grass that forms a thick, carpet-like turf. It turns straw-colored during winter dormancy. Naturally grows 6-12 inches if unmowed, with seed heads featuring 3-7 finger-like spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharp-pointed tip. Color is grey-green; vernation is folded; ligule is a conspicuous fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent; collar is narrow with long hairs on the edges.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with both rhizomes and stolons. Known for high thatch production and extremely fast establishment speed; very difficult to eradicate once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates globally.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and Rhizomatous; highly aggressive spreader forming a dense, mat-like sod via above-ground runners and underground stems.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8+ hours/day); poor shade tolerance. Drought tolerant once established but enters dormancy during extreme water stress. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height: 0.5 to 1.5 inches for home lawns. Requires frequent mowing and high nitrogen fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). High maintenance needs for dethatching and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance and rapid recovery from damage. High salt tolerance. Susceptible to Large Patch (zoysia patch) and Spring Dead Spot. Low shade tolerance makes it unsuitable for under tree canopies.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in the US; significant value for soil stabilization and erosion control. Can be invasive in garden beds or non-targeted areas; often used in mixtures with cool-season grasses for year-round green in transition zones.