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
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10, excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (goes dormant and turns brown below 50 degrees Fahrenheit)
About This Grass
Forms a tight, dense, medium-textured turf with bright green to grayish-green leaves. Can grow 6 to 12 inches tall if left unmowed, but maintained as a low-cut lawn. Spreads rapidly to cover bare ground.
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (2-3mm), flat blades with pointed tips, folded in the bud (vernation), grayish-green to light green color, prominent ligule consisting of a fringe of hairs, absent auricles
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system with extensive rhizomes and stolons; rapid establishment from seed or vegetative parts; forms a dense sod with moderate to high thatch tendency
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, now naturalized worldwide in tropical and warm temperate climates
Growth Habit
Aggressive, spreading by both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-resistant turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (poor shade tolerance), moderate drought tolerance (goes dormant in severe drought), requires regular watering for best appearance, adapts to various soil types with optimal pH between 6.0 and 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Low to medium mowing height (1.0 to 2.0 inches), frequent mowing required during peak growth, high fertilization needs (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), regular dethatching and aeration needed due to rapid growth
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recovery capabilities, good salt tolerance, excellent for sports fields and high-traffic lawns, aggressive weed suppression
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, highly effective for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes, provides minimal wildlife food value compared to native grasses, can become invasive in agricultural settings