Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Standard turf-type cultivars (e.g., Midnight, Baron)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7, exhibits excellent cold tolerance and goes into summer dormancy during extreme heat.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured, rich green to blue-green turf. Unmowed height reaches 18 to 24 inches with distinctive pyramid-shaped panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-narrow (2-4mm), flat or folded with characteristic boat-shaped tips, prominent parallel veins, folded vernation in the bud, and a short membranous ligule without auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system combined with strong underground rhizomes, establishing a dense sod that recovers well from wear.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and Northern Asia; widely naturalized and cultivated across North America, performing best in northern temperate climates.
Growth Habit
Aggressively rhizomatous, forming a dense, uniform turf mat and sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily), high water needs during hot periods, moderate drought dormancy tolerance, and prefers well-drained fertile soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.0 to 3.0 inches height. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (3-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), frequent watering, and periodic aeration.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and self-repairing via rhizomes, moderate shade tolerance, good disease resistance when properly managed, and excellent winter color retention in cooler regions.
Ecological Information
Introduced to North America, provides standard turf ecosystem benefits, helps prevent soil erosion through dense sod formation, and is commonly mixed with perennial ryegrass and fescues.