Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, and Golf Course Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, excellent heat tolerance, enters winter dormancy and turns brown below 50°F, moderate cold tolerance.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Tifway 419 (Hybrid Bermuda)
About This Grass
Forms an extremely dense, carpet-like turf of fine to medium texture with a bright to dark green color. Height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches when maintained, but can grow up to 6-12 inches if unmowed. Produces slender digitated seed heads with 2-6 spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium blade width (2-3mm), flat shape with pointed tips, light to medium green color, rolled in the bud (vernation), prominent midvein, membranous or fringe-like ligule, and small or absent auricles.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system with extensive underground rhizomes and surface stolons. Moderate thatch tendency, fast establishment from sod or plugs, and excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide. Widely cultivated in warm temperate and tropical regions.
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous and rhizomatous, forming a very dense, tight sod with rapid horizontal spread.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight). Moderate watering needs once established, with good drought tolerance due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintained at a low height of 0.5 to 1.5 inches using reel or rotary mowers frequently. High fertilizer requirements (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), regular dethatching and aeration needed. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, high recuperative ability, good salt tolerance, poor shade tolerance, highly invasive in flower beds, excellent for athletic fields and golf course fairways.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides minimal wildlife food value compared to natives, excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes, forms monocultures easily.