Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda or hybrid varieties like 'Tifway'
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with high heat tolerance and moderate cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F).
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a medium texture and bright blue-green to grayish-green color during the growing season. It goes completely dormant and turns straw-brown in winter. Seed heads feature 3 to 7 digitate spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-3mm), flat, tapering to a sharp point, with a grayish-green color. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes and stolons. Establishes quickly from sod or seed, creates a moderate amount of thatch, and offers excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized in the southern United States and transition zones.
Growth Habit
Aggressive, spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) and has good drought tolerance, going into dormancy during severe dry spells. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at a low height of 1.0 to 2.0 inches frequently. High maintenance during peak growing season requiring regular fertilization (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), frequent mowing, and occasional dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recovery, making it ideal for sports fields and high-use lawns. Good salt tolerance and excellent ability to crowd out weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Can become invasive in flower beds or natural areas adjacent to the lawn due to aggressive stolon and rhizome spread.