Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass, highly suitable for transition zones
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
'Tifway 419' (Hybrid Bermuda), noted for its fine texture, dark green color, and aggressive dense turf formation
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10; excellent heat tolerance; enters winter dormancy and loses color when temperatures drop consistently below 50°F (10°C); withstands freezing temperatures once dormant
About This Grass
Forms a dense, carpet-like turf with a medium-fine texture; vibrant green color during active growth that turns tan or straw-colored when dormant in winter; typically maintained at a low height but can reach 6 to 12 inches if unmowed; seed heads feature a cluster of 3 to 7 slender spikelets radiating from a single point (digitate spikes)
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm); flat or folded shape; pointed tips; grayish-green to medium green color; rolled in the bud (vernation); ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles absent; smooth blade texture with prominent midvein
Root System
Deep fibrous root system extending up to 6 feet or more in favorable soils; moderate to high thatch tendency under high fertilization; rapid establishment from sod or plugs; exceptional drought tolerance and rapid wear recovery due to aggressive stolons and rhizomes
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated across warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions globally
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous and rhizomatous, spreading rapidly via both above-ground runners (stolons) and below-ground rhizomes to form a very dense, tight mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight daily); highly intolerant of dense shade; low to moderate water needs once established, exceptionally drought-tolerant (can enter dormancy during severe drought and green up quickly upon receiving water); prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches (can be maintained lower on golf greens); requires frequent mowing during peak growing season (every 3 to 5 days); fertilization of 4 to 6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year for high-maintenance lawns; regular dethatching and core aeration needed; high overall maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recovery; good salt tolerance; highly susceptible to shade; excellent drought recovery; poor winter color retention without overseeding; forms an impenetrable sod that effectively crowds out weeds
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides limited wildlife food value compared to native grasses but offers excellent soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes and coastal areas due to its dense, interconnected root and runner network