Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (Non-hybrid)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. Excellent heat tolerance; moderate cold tolerance; enters dormancy when temperatures consistently drop below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, mat-forming perennial. It has a light to medium green color, turning straw-colored during winter dormancy. Texture is medium-coarse in common types. Seed heads are distinctive, featuring 3-7 finger-like spikes arranged in a windmill pattern at the top of a stalk.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharp, pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent. The leaf surface is sparsely hairy, especially near the collar.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous system; spreads via thick, scaly rhizomes and aggressive stolons. High thatch tendency; fast establishment; excellent wear recovery and high drought tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide.
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; stoloniferous (above ground) and rhizomatous (underground); forms a dense, wiry mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8+ hours); poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; highly drought-tolerant but goes dormant under extreme moisture stress. Prefers pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintain at 1.0-2.0 inches for common varieties; mow every 5-7 days during peak growth. Requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Regular dethatching and aeration are necessary due to aggressive growth.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and recovery speed; high salt tolerance; resistant to most common diseases when managed; poor shade tolerance; can become invasive in flower beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Valuable for erosion control on slopes. Provides some forage for livestock and seeds for small birds, but can displace native species if left unmanaged.