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 (unimproved wild-type or standard turf varieties like 'Riviera' or 'Sahara')
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with some cold-tolerant seeded varieties surviving in the transition zone (Zone 6). Excellent heat tolerance, goes dormant when temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with bright green to grayish-green blades during the growing season; turns brown and goes completely dormant during frost. Stoloniferous and rhizomatous habit allows it to creep aggressively into flower beds and over concrete edges.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine blades (2-3 mm wide), flat to folded shape, pointed tips, gray-green to light green color, rolled in the bud (vernation). Ligule is a fringe of hairs, auricles absent, collar is continuous with a yellowish hue.
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil, coupled with a dense network of rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high maintenance, fast establishment from seed or sod, excellent drought tolerance and rapid wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions globally.
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 8-10 hours of direct sunlight daily; poor shade tolerance). High water needs for optimal green color and growth during peak summer, but exhibits remarkable drought tolerance by going dormant during prolonged dry spells. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower. Requires frequent mowing during the peak growing season (1-2 times per week). High fertilization requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually for high-maintenance lawns). High overall maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance (ideal for sports fields and golf courses), good salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery, aggressive weed crowding ability, poor shade tolerance, highly prone to invading neighboring landscape beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides limited wildlife habitat compared to native grasses, though it offers good erosion control on slopes and stabilization for sandy soils due to its extensive root and runner matrix.