Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda or hybrid varieties like 'Tifway', showing typical aggressive spreading and dormancy characteristics.
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with some cold-tolerant varieties surviving in Zone 6. Excellent suitability for the transition zone where it stays green in summer and goes dormant in winter.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine to medium-textured turf. Color is a vibrant green during the active growing season, turning straw-brown and going dormant with the first heavy frosts. Height is low-growing when maintained, but can reach 4-15 inches if left unmowed, producing slender seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-3mm), flat, grayish-green to medium green, folded in the bud (vernation), with pointed tips, prominent parallel veins, a membranous-fringed ligule, and small hairs in place of auricles.
Root System
Extensive and deep fibrous root system (often reaching several feet deep), combined with rhizomes and stolons. Establishes quickly from sod or seed, creates moderate thatch, and provides excellent drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide. Cultivated globally in tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate regions.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) and cannot tolerate heavy shade. Water needs are moderate once established, though it possesses exceptional drought tolerance by entering dormancy. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.75 to 1.5 inches for hybrid turfs, or up to 2 inches for common varieties. Requires frequent mowing during peak season, high nitrogen fertilization (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), regular dethatching, and high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance making it ideal for sports fields and golf courses. Good drought recovery via underground rhizomes, moderate salt tolerance, poor shade tolerance, and aggressive weed-crowding ability.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Valued for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes and coastal areas. Can exhibit invasive tendencies in agricultural settings or garden beds due to its aggressive underground runners.