Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 landscape grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common or 'Midnight' type (typical for high-visibility commercial turf)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; poor performance in extreme humid heat without irrigation.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing turf grass with a dark blue-green color. Mown height typically 2-3 inches. It forms a uniform, lush carpet and produces panicle seed heads if left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm); V-shaped or flat; distinctive boat-shaped tip; dark green to blue-green color; vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent.
Root System
Spreading rhizomes that form a tight, durable sod; moderate depth; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to medium establishment from seed but excellent recovery via rhizomes.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Asia, and Northern Africa; widely adapted to temperate climates worldwide
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous (spreading via underground stems), forming a dense, sod-forming mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred (6+ hours), moderate shade tolerance; requires consistent moisture; moderate drought tolerance but enters dormancy to survive heat.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.5-3 inches; frequency high during spring/fall; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft annually; requires occasional dethatching; high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery; high aesthetic value; prone to leaf spot and dollar spot; dormant during peak summer heat or extreme cold.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for runways and roadsides; used in mixes with Perennial Ryegrass or Tall Fescue for diversity.