Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass, commonly used in the transition zone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with high heat tolerance and moderate cold tolerance (goes completely dormant and turns brown below 50°F). Excellent for the transition zone.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (wild-type or unselected cultivar)
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing mat with exceptional spreading capability via above-ground runners (stolons) and underground stems (rhizomes). Typically maintained at 0.5 to 1.5 inches, but can grow up to 6-12 inches if unmowed. Color is a vibrant light to medium green during active growth, turning straw-brown upon entering winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-fine (2-3 mm wide), flat, with pointed tips and rough margins. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar is continuous and light green.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil, coupled with aggressive stolons and rhizomes. Moderate thatch-forming tendency under high fertility and irrigation, establishes very rapidly from seed or vegetative plugs/sod, provides excellent drought tolerance and fast wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa, widely naturalized and cultivated in tropical and warm-temperate regions worldwide, performs best in USDA Zones 7-10
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous and rhizomatous, forms a dense, tight turf mat, spreads very rapidly
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight daily). High drought tolerance through summer dormancy, but needs regular watering (1 inch per week) for optimal green turf. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.75 to 1.5 inches for home lawns (lower for golf greens). Requires frequent mowing (1-2 times per week) during peak growing season due to rapid growth. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year) and occasional dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and fast recovery rate, making it ideal for athletic fields and high-traffic lawns. Good salt tolerance and drought recovery. Often considered an invasive weed when it spreads into flower beds or cool-season lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes and banks due to its dense network of roots and runners. Valued in agricultural pastures as forage in tropical regions, but can be a persistent weed in gardens and non-turf areas.