Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass. Well-adapted to the transition zone and southern regions.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda / Tifway (Representative of standard fine-textured utility turf cultivars)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor shade tolerance, goes dormant and turns straw-colored below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with grayish-green to medium-green leaves. Grows rapidly during warm months, reaching 6 to 12 inches if unmowed, but maintained at 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Produces a seed head consisting of 3 to 7 digitate spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-3mm), flat, tapering to a sharp pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. Collar is continuous, often with hairs.
Root System
Fibrous and deep root system extending down several feet. Features extensive rhizomes and stolons, establishing quickly and creating a heavy thatch layer. Excellent drought tolerance and rapid wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, now naturalized worldwide in warm climates.
Growth Habit
Aggressive, spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground). Forms a very dense, tight mat/sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight). Moderate to high drought tolerance once established, entering dormancy during prolonged drought or cold. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow low (0.5 to 1.5 inches) frequently (1-2 times per week during peak growth). High fertilizer requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Requires regular dethatching and core aeration due to rapid thatch buildup. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recuperative ability, making it ideal for sports fields and golf fairways. Good salt tolerance and excellent erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides limited wildlife habitat compared to native prairie grasses, but offers excellent soil stabilization and runoff reduction. Can act as a persistent weed in flower beds due to aggressive stolon and rhizome spread.