Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. High heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown below 50°F (10°C). Limited cold tolerance in northern climates.
About This Grass
A low-growing, mat-forming perennial with a wiry appearance. It is light to medium green in summer, turning straw-brown during winter dormancy. Features include prominent creeping runners and finger-like (digitate) seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a distinctive sharply pointed tip. Light to grayish-green color, folded vernation, with a fringe of hairs as the ligule and no auricles. The collar is narrow and hairy.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes and stolons. Heavy thatch-forming tendency; extremely fast establishment and high wear recovery due to lateral growth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
African origin; naturalized globally in tropical and subtropical regions, performing best in humid and semi-arid southern climates.
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both Rhizomatous (underground) and Stoloniferous (above ground stolons visible in image), forming a dense, low-growing mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very low shade tolerance. High drought tolerance once established; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
High maintenance. Recommended mowing height 0.5-1.5 inches for common varieties, frequent mowing (1-2 times weekly). Requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; regular dethatching and aeration needed.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear tolerance, high salt tolerance, and superior drought recovery. Poor shade tolerance. Highly competitive against weeds when maintained densely.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in the U.S.; can be invasive in gardens or agricultural fields. Excellent for soil stabilization and preventing erosion due to dense mat growth. Provides moderate wildlife value for grazing.