Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda / Tifway 419 hybrid, highly aggressive and dense growth with fine to medium texture.
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with high heat tolerance and moderate cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F).
About This Grass
Forms a very dense, low-growing, fine to medium-textured turf. Bright green color during active growing season, turns straw-colored brown upon entering winter dormancy. Height ranges from 0.5 to 2 inches when maintained.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-fine (2-3mm width), flat or slightly folded, with pointed tips and grayish-green to medium-green color. Rolled in the bud (vernation). Features a membranous ligule with a fringe of hairs and absent auricles.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending up to 6 feet deep in suitable soils. Rapid establishment from seed or sod, aggressive thatch formation, and high drought tolerance due to deep roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely cultivated in southern US and transition zones.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-resistant mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours direct sunlight daily). High drought tolerance once established, going dormant under extreme drought. Prefers well-draining soils with pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow frequently at 0.5 to 1.5 inches using sharp rotary or reel mower. High fertilizer requirement during peak summer (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Regular dethatching and core aeration needed.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recuperative ability. Good salt tolerance and drought recovery. Poor shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Can act as an invasive weed in flower beds due to aggressive spreading stolons and rhizomes.