Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass. Well-adapted to the transition zone and southern regions.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild-type characteristics with fine-to-medium texture and lighter green color)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat and drought tolerance, but goes completely dormant and loses color with frost in colder zones.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a medium texture. Bright green to grayish-green color during the active growing season, going dormant and turning straw-brown with the first hard frosts. Can reach several inches if unmowed, but maintained at low heights. Seed heads consist of 3 to 7 digitate spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-3mm), flat, with pointed tips. Folded vernation in the bud. Light to medium green color. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, auricles are absent, and the collar is continuous with hairs.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high fertility and watering. Rapid establishment from seed or vegetative plugs, with excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide. Widely naturalized and cultivated in southern and transition zone US states.
Growth Habit
Aggressive combination of both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground). Forms a very dense, tight sod and spreads rapidly.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun is mandatory; highly intolerant of shade. Moderate water needs once established with high drought tolerance, going into dormancy during severe drought and greening up quickly upon receiving water. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 1.0 to 2.0 inches for common types (lower for hybrid turfs). Requires frequent mowing during peak growing season due to rapid vertical and horizontal growth. High fertilization needs (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year) for optimal color and density. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and traffic recovery due to aggressive stoloniferous and rhizomatous growth. Good salt tolerance. Poor shade tolerance. Excellent erosion control capabilities on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides low wildlife food value but excellent soil stabilization and erosion control. Can act as an invasive weed in flower beds and gardens due to aggressive underground runners.