Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns tan/brown when temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, dense turfgrass with a grey-green to dark green color. It exhibits a creeping growth habit with visible stolons and produces distinct finger-like spikelets as seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (1.5-4mm), flat or folded, with a pointed tip. Leaf vernation is folded. Features a fringe of hairs for a ligule and may have sparse hairs on the leaf surface.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive fibrous root system with both rhizomes and stolons. Exceptional establishment speed; forms a very dense, heavy thatch layer.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially Southern US transition zones.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive mat-forming spreader.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8 hours direct light); high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soils with pH 6.0-7.0; low shade tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5-1.5 inches; requires frequent mowing; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year; high maintenance level for high-quality turf.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; rapid recovery from injury; can be considered an invasive weed in ornamental beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; moderate wildlife forage value; often blended with Ryegrass for winter color.