Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Fairways
Variety / Cultivar
Common or mixed turf cultivars (e.g., 'Midnight', 'Baron')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-7; excels in northern temperate regions and transitions poorly into extreme southern heat zones.
About This Grass
Forms a lush, dark green to medium green turf with a fine to medium texture. Grows to a height of 18-24 inches if unmoved, but maintained at 1.5 to 3 inches. Shows notable brown or straw-colored dormancy in severe cold or extreme drought.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine width (3-4 mm), flat to folded with prominent parallel veins and a classic boat-shaped tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system combined with extensive creeping rhizomes. Forms a very dense sod, moderate thatch tendency, and medium establishment speed from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and Northern Asia; widely naturalized and cultivated across North America and temperate regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressively rhizomatous, forming a dense, uniform sod with underground spreading stems
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours daily). Moderate to high watering needs; enters dormancy during prolonged drought but recovers well when moisture returns. Prefers well-drained, fertile soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.0 to 3.5 inches. Requires regular mowing, moderate to high fertilization (3-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), periodic dethatching, and aeration. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery due to rhizomes. Good cold tolerance and winter color retention in milder cool regions. Moderate shade tolerance compared to fine fescues.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to dense root and rhizome matrix. Frequently blended with Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue.