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, Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid naturalized variant)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, durable grass with a prostrate growth habit. It features a grey-green to deep green color, turning straw-colored during winter dormancy. It forms a thick, carpet-like mat that is extremely resilient.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm); flat or slightly folded; pointed tips; grey-green color; vernation is folded; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent; hairy collar region.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes; high thatch tendency; very fast establishment; excellent drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones globally
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both rhizomatous and stoloniferous; forms dense, mat-forming sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (minimum 6-8 hours); poor shade tolerance; moderate water needs but possesses high drought resistance/estivation ability; thrives in neutral to slightly acidic soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 0.5 to 1.5 inches; high frequency (1-2 times per week); 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; frequent dethatching and aeration required; high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic/wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; excellent ability to crowd out weeds; rapid recovery from damage via stolons; susceptible to Spring Dead Spot and Dollar Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; excellent for soil stabilization; can be invasive in gardens and ornamental beds; used in mixtures with ryegrass for winter overseeding.