Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7, exhibits excellent cold tolerance, goes dormant in extreme summer heat.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Variety / Cultivar
Standard commercial blend (e.g., Midnight, Baron, Bewitched)
About This Grass
Dense, fine-to-medium textured turf with a vibrant medium-to-dark green or blue-green color. Forms a tight, durable sod that can reach up to 18-24 inches if unmowed, but maintained at 2-3 inches.
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (2-4mm), flat to folded with prominent parallel veins and distinctive boat-shaped tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous roots with extensive underground rhizomes. Tends to form moderate thatch over time. Slow to establish from seed, but creates an exceptionally dense sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and Northern Asia, widely cultivated across North America and temperate regions
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous, spreading extensively via underground stems to form a dense turf
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours daily) and regular watering. Moderate to high water needs; exhibits moderate drought tolerance by going dormant during extended dry periods.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height between 2.0 and 3.5 inches. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (3-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), frequent watering, and periodic dethatching/aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and self-repairing capability via rhizomes. Moderate shade tolerance, good disease resistance depending on the cultivar, excellent winter color retention in milder zones.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides basic urban wildlife habitat and good soil stabilization, frequently blended with Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue.