Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass. Well-adapted to the transition zone and warm climates.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Tifway 419 (Hybrid Bermuda), known for its fine texture, dark green color, and dense turf quality.
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, moderate cold tolerance with winter dormancy below 50F.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, carpet-like turf of medium-fine texture with a bright to dark green color during the growing season. Enters winter dormancy and turns brown when temperatures drop below 50F. Unmowed height can reach 6 to 12 inches, but it is typically maintained very low (0.5 to 1.5 inches).
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-3mm), flat, with pointed tips. Color ranges from light to dark green. Folded in the bud (vernation). Features a membranous ligule with a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency depending on management. Rapid establishment and excellent wear recovery, forming a very tough sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, cultivated worldwide in warm climates.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a very dense, tight turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight daily). High drought tolerance once established by going dormant during severe drought, but performs best with regular watering. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower. High maintenance requirement during peak growing season due to rapid growth rate, requiring frequent mowing, high nitrogen fertilization (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), and regular dethatching/aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, making it ideal for sports fields and golf courses. Good salt tolerance and excellent drought recovery via underground rhizomes. Poor shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its dense root and stolon network. Can become invasive in agricultural settings or flower beds adjacent to turf areas.