Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a common or seeded variety based on coarser leaf texture and stolon visibility)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7 through 11. High heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, grey-green turf grass that spreads rapidly. It has a fine-to-medium texture when maintained but can appear coarse with visible runners if thin. It turns tan/brown during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Vernation is folded. Ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent. Leaf blades are often sparsely hairy near the base.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes. High thatch tendency. Very fast establishment speed and excellent recovery from wear or drought once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates globally (USDA Zones 7-11)
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground runners); forms a dense, mat-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; highly drought-tolerant with a preference for well-drained soils (pH 6.0-7.0).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches for common varieties. High frequency mowing required due to fast growth. Requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Moderate to high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Outstanding traffic and wear tolerance; excellent salt tolerance; high drought recovery; susceptible to Large Patch and Spring Dead Spot; highly invasive in garden beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; low wildlife food value but provides cover; often invasive in non-turf areas; often blended with Ryegrass for winter color (overseeding).