Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or unknown cultivar (likely standard turf-grade mixture)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold hardiness. Enters dormancy/browns during hot, dry summers and extreme winter freezes.
About This Grass
A dark green, high-quality turf grass that forms a thick mat. It reaches 12-24 inches when unmowed. The texture is medium-fine and color remains vibrant during cool months but may go dormant in extreme heat.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 2-4mm (medium); flat or slightly folded; characteristic boat-shaped (V-shaped) tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately shallow fibrous root system supported by a strong network of rhizomes. High thatch-forming tendency; excellent sod-forming ability and wear recovery through spreading.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, Northern Asia, and North Africa; now dominant in temperate North America
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), forming a dense, uniform sod with moderate spread rate
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred (6+ hours); poor shade tolerance. High water requirements; requires regular irrigation to stay green in summer. Thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5-3.5 inches. High maintenance: requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually, regular dethatching, and core aeration every 1-2 years.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance due to rhizomes; self-repairing; highly palatable for livestock; susceptibility to leaf spot and dollar spot in humid conditions.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America. Provides forage for wildlife and stabilizing ground cover. Can be slightly invasive in native grasslands; often blended with Perennial Ryegrass or Fine Fescue.