Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (or 'Tifway 419' for hybrid turf types)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10 (and warmer parts of Zone 6). Excellent heat and drought tolerance. Low cold tolerance, going completely dormant and turning brown below 50°F. Widely used across the southern US and lower transition zone.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured turf with a vibrant green to gray-green color during the growing season. Enters winter dormancy and turns straw-brown with the first frost. Height when unmowed can reach 4-15 inches, but it is typically maintained very low (0.5 to 1.5 inches). Seed heads feature 3 to 7 slender, finger-like spikes arranged in a digitate cluster at the top of the stem.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine-to-medium width (2-3 mm), flat or slightly folded, with pointed tips. Color ranges from light green to dark blue-green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous with a distinct ligule hair fringe.
Root System
Deep, vigorous fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil, supplemented by extensive rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high fertility and watering. Rapid establishment speed from seed or sod, providing excellent drought tolerance and fast wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized in warm temperate and tropical regions globally; performs best in southern latitudes and the transition zone.
Growth Habit
Aggressive, highly spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-tolerant turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight daily) and has poor shade tolerance. Moderate drought tolerance (goes dormant during severe drought and greens up quickly with water). Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, but adapts well to various soil types.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower. High mowing frequency (every 3-5 days in peak growing season). High fertilization requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year for optimal color and density). Requires regular dethatching and core aeration due to rapid thatch accumulation. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance, making it ideal for sports fields, golf course fairways, and high-traffic lawns. Good salt tolerance and excellent drought recovery. Poor shade and cold tolerance. Aggressive growth habit allows it to crowd out weeds effectively.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its extensive root and runner network. Limited wildlife food value compared to native prairie grasses, but serves as effective ground cover. Often blended with other warm-season grasses or overseeded with cool-season ryegrass in winter for year-round green color in southern regions.