Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common blend (not a single specific cultivar identifiable from photo)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7, excellent cold tolerance, moderate heat tolerance, often combined in transition zone mixes.
About This Grass
Dense, fine to medium-textured turfgrass with a rich dark green to blue-green color. Forms a tight sod with upright growth reaching 18 to 24 inches if unmowed, but maintained at 1.5 to 2.5 inches. Prone to localized dry spots or patch diseases under stress as seen in the image.
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (2-4mm), folded in the bud (vernation), with distinctive boat-shaped tips and parallel veins. Smooth texture with a prominent midvein.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes, creating a dense sod. Moderate establishment speed from seed, tends to build thatch over time.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and Northern Asia; widely naturalized and cultivated across North America and temperate regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous, spreading extensively via underground stems to form a dense, uniform turf
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily) for optimal growth, moderate to high water needs, moderate drought tolerance (enters summer dormancy if unwatered). Prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 1.5 to 2.5 inches. Medium-high maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (3-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year), regular irrigation, and occasional aeration and dethatching.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance and excellent self-repairing ability due to rhizomes. Good winter color retention in milder cool regions, goes dormant under extreme heat or drought.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control, widely used in residential lawns, parks, and sports fields, often blended with perennial ryegrass and fescues.