Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, Sports Turf, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild-type or standard turf varieties like 'Princess 77' or 'Riviera')
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance and moderate cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F and can suffer winter damage below freezing temperatures without proper hardening).
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing, fine to medium-textured bright green turf. When unmanaged, grows up to 4-15 inches tall, but maintains very well at low mowing heights. Produces distinctive finger-like (digitate) seed head spikes containing 3 to 7 slender spikes arranged in a cluster at the top of the stem. Turns straw-colored or tan when dormant in winter.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine blades (2-4mm wide), flat to slightly folded, with pointed tips and a grayish-green to bright green color. Rolled in the bud (vernation). Features a fringe of hairs in place of a membranous ligule, and lacks prominent auricles with a continuous collar.
Root System
Deep and vigorous fibrous root system capable of reaching depths of 6 feet or more in favorable soils. Develops moderate to high thatch under heavy fertilization. Establishes rapidly from seed, sod, or plugs, providing excellent wear recovery and drought evasion.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in warm temperate to tropical regions globally
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes, forming a dense turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) and has poor shade tolerance. High drought tolerance via summer dormancy (turns brown without water and greens up quickly upon receiving moisture). Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.75 to 1.5 inches for standard home lawns (even lower on golf course greens). Requires frequent mowing during the active growing season (every 4-7 days). High maintenance level, requiring 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually, regular dethatching, and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance making it ideal for sports fields and high-use areas. High drought and salt tolerance, aggressive recuperative ability from damage, and good weed suppression due to its dense mat-forming growth habit.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America where it is widely used for pasture and turf. Provides good erosion control on slopes due to its dense root network. Serves as a forage grass for livestock and a habitat resource, though can be considered invasive in certain native ecosystems outside cultivation.