Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, and occasionally an invasive weed in gardens
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (unimproved)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. Excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry grass with a grey-green to dark green color. As seen in the image, it produces distinctive finger-like (digitate) seed heads. It turns tan/brown during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly V-shaped, with a pointed tip. Vernation is folded. The ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent. The leaf blades are often sparsely hairy.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes. High thatch-forming tendency and very fast establishment speed. Excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical regions globally. Predominant in the Southern United States and Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both rhizomatous (underground stems) and stoloniferous (above-ground runners). Forms a dense, mat-like sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate watering needs once established; exceptional drought tolerance. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.0-2.0 inches for common varieties. High frequency mowing required due to fast growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Superior traffic/wear tolerance, high salt tolerance, and rapid recuperative ability. Susceptible to Large Patch (Spring Dead Spot) and sod webworms.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides good soil stabilization for erosion control. Can be invasive in flower beds. Used in pastures for livestock forage.