Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf and Pasture grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Wild-type (indicated by lighter color and tall, sparse growth amidst weeds)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; best in the northern United States and Canada. Extremely cold-hardy; poor heat tolerance in the South.
About This Grass
Medium-textured turf grass that grows 6-36 inches tall if left unmowed. In this image, it appears as long, unmaintained blades growing among raspberry bushes. It has a distinctive dark green to blue-green color in peak health, though these specimens appear slightly lighter due to shade competition.
Blade Characteristics
Narrow to medium (2-4mm), V-shaped or flat blades with a characteristic boat-shaped tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is very short and membranous; auricles are absent. Visible 'twin midrib lines' run parallel down the center of the leaf.
Root System
Moderately shallow fibrous root system supplemented by an extensive network of rhizomes. High thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed but excellent recuperative potential due to rhizomes.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Asia, and the mountains of Morocco and Algeria; widely naturalized across North America
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (strongly spreading by underground creeping stems) and dense sod-forming
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun (6+ hours) but can tolerate light shade. High water needs; poor drought tolerance compared to fescues; enters dormancy during hot, dry periods.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintain at 2.5–3.5 inches. Requires frequent mowing and high fertilization (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year) for peak quality. Medium to high maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery; high cold tolerance; susceptible to leaf spot, melting out, and necrotic ring spot; superior sod-forming ability.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock and wildlife; seeds are consumed by songbirds and wild turkeys; stabilizes soil through dense rhizome networks.