Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass, well-adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild-type / naturalized populations)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, excellent heat tolerance, susceptible to winter kill below freezing temperatures without dormancy
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with grayish-green to medium-green leaves; goes dormant and turns straw-brown in winter frosts; seed heads feature digitate spikes
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat, tapering to a pointed tip, grayish-green, rolled in the bud, with a membranous-fringed ligule and hairy auricles
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil with extensive rhizomes and stolons; moderate to fast establishment, highly drought-resistant and quick to recover from wear
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to East Africa, heavily naturalized and cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (poor shade tolerance), moderate water needs with high drought tolerance through dormancy, prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 0.75 to 1.5 inches frequently during the growing season; high fertilizer requirement for optimal color (4-6 lbs N/1000 sq ft); high maintenance
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance, excellent drought recovery, high salt tolerance, aggressive weed-crowding ability, ideal for sports fields and high-use lawns
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides good soil stabilization and erosion control, minimal wildlife value for native pollinators, can behave as an invasive weed in non-turf settings