Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, and Invasive Weed
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (non-hybrid/seeded type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. Excellent heat tolerance; moderate cold tolerance but enters dormancy (turns brown) when soil temperatures drop below 50-55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry, dark green grass that spreads aggressively. It forms a dense sod when maintained but can appear leggy or weedy in unmanaged areas. It turns straw-brown during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule consists of a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent. Foliage is grayish-green to dark green.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with both underground rhizomes and surface stolons. High thatch-forming tendency; extremely fast establishment and high drought tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and Southern Europe; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive spreading habit forming a dense, low-growing mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate watering needs; highly drought resistant but stays green longer with supplemental irrigation. Prefers pH 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches for common varieties. High frequency mowing required due to fast growth. High maintenance; requires frequent fertilization (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year) and vertical mowing/dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and recovery speed. High salt tolerance. Excellent for erosion control on slopes. Extremely difficult to eradicate once established in garden beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization and carbon sequestration. Viewed as a noxious weed in some agricultural contexts due to invasive rhizomes. Often mixed with Ryegrass for winter color in transition zones.