Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with high heat tolerance and moderate cold tolerance (dormant below 50°F, can suffer freeze damage below 0°F).
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (uncultivated wild-type)
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a medium to fine texture. Light to dark green color during the growing season, turning straw-brown upon entering winter dormancy. Unmowed height can reach 6 to 18 inches, but maintained lawns are kept much lower. Seed heads consist of 3 to 7 slender, digitate spikes radiating from a single point.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are flat, short (1-4 inches), fine to medium width (2-3mm), with pointed tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous with hairs.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil, accompanied by vigorous rhizomes and stolons. Low to moderate thatch tendency, fast establishment from seed or vegetative plugs, excellent wear recovery and drought tolerance due to deep roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, now globally naturalized in warm temperate to tropical climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively 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 cannot tolerate heavy shade. High drought tolerance (enters dormancy during severe drought and greens up quickly with water). Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.75 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower. Requires frequent mowing during peak growth. High maintenance for best appearance, requiring 3 to 6 lbs of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually, regular aeration, and occasional dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance making it ideal for sports fields and high-use lawns. Excellent drought recovery, fair salt tolerance, zero shade tolerance, strong competitor that crowds out many weeds, and aggressively spreads into flower beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in many regions outside Africa; highly valued for erosion control on slopes and stabilization of sandy soils. Provides low wildlife forage value compared to native grasses, but serves as ground cover and nesting habitat for small ground creatures. Often considered an invasive weed in agricultural fields or non-turf landscapes.