Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Golf Course, and Erosion Control Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (or hybrid turf cultivars like Tifway 419)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10 (can survive in transition zones with winter protection); excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant below 50°F
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured turf with a vibrant green color during the growing season; goes completely dormant and turns straw-brown with the first hard frost; height ranges from 0.5 to 2 inches when maintained; produces digitate seed heads with 3-7 spikes at maturity
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-fine (2-3 mm wide), flat to slightly folded, with pointed tips, grayish-green to medium green color; rolled in the bud (vernation); ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent
Root System
Deep fibrous root system going down several feet in favorable soils, highly efficient at seeking water; rapid establishment and recovery; moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high fertility
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia, naturalized globally in warm climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a very dense, tight sod and mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight); highly drought tolerant through going into dormancy or utilizing deep roots; prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.75 to 1.5 inches for common types, lower for hybrids; requires frequent mowing during peak growing season; moderate to high fertilizer needs (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year); high maintenance level overall
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recuperative ability; good salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; excellent for home lawns, sports fields, and golf course fairways/tees
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; high utility for soil stabilization and erosion control; provides limited wildlife value compared to native grasses; can become invasive in agricultural or non-turf settings