Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with high heat tolerance and moderate cold tolerance. Goes completely dormant and turns straw-colored below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (uncultivated wild type)
About This Grass
A vigorous, fine- to medium-textured turf grass that grows rapidly during warm months. Height can reach 6 to 12 inches if unmoved, but it is typically maintained below 1.5 inches. Color is grayish-green to bright green during the growing season, turning brown and going dormant after the first heavy frost. Seed heads consist of 2 to 6 slender spikes in a finger-like cluster.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are flat, short (1-4 inches), 2-4 mm wide, with pointed tips and a grayish-green color. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. The collar is continuous and often has distinct hairs at the margins.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system extending 6 feet or more into the soil profile, combined with aggressive rhizomes and stolons. Establishes rapidly from seed or vegetative plugs, has high drought tolerance due to deep roots, and exhibits exceptional wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to East Africa and tropical regions of the Old World, widely naturalized and cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Aggressive, spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, mat-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) and has poor shade tolerance. Moderate to high water needs for optimal appearance, but possesses extreme drought dormancy capabilities. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches, requiring frequent mowing (every 3-5 days during peak growth). High fertilizer requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). High thatch tendency requires regular dethatching and aeration. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and traffic recovery, making it ideal for sports fields and golf courses. Good salt tolerance and excellent erosion control. Can be invasive in flower beds due to its aggressive spreading runners.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in the Americas. Provides limited wildlife value compared to native grasses, though grazed by herbivores. Highly effective for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes and disturbed ground. Often considered a weed in agricultural settings.