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 (or similar fine-textured turf cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with good heat tolerance and moderate cold tolerance (dormant below 50°F).
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with bright green to grayish-green color. Leaf blades are medium-fine in texture. Can turn brown and go dormant during cold winter months.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-fine in width (2-3mm), flat, with pointed tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, aggressive root system with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high maintenance, establishing rapidly and recovering quickly from wear.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely cultivated in warm temperate to tropical regions.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight). High drought tolerance once established, entering dormancy during prolonged dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 1.0 to 2.0 inches for common varieties. Requires frequent mowing during peak growing season, high fertilization levels for optimum color, and regular dethatching/aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance, excellent drought recovery, high salt tolerance, poor shade tolerance, and aggressive weed-crowding ability.
Ecological Information
Introduced to many parts of the world, excellent for erosion control on slopes, provides good utility for lawns and sports fields, but can behave like an invasive weed in flower beds.