Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4, transition zone suitable
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (seeded variety)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns straw-colored when soil temperatures drop below 50-55°F.
About This Grass
A medium-green, low-growing turfgrass with a high density when maintained. It turns brown/dormant in winter. Unmowed, it produces 3-7 finger-like spikes as seed heads on stems reaching 6-12 inches.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium (2-4mm), flat or folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Light to medium green color. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent; collar is narrow with long hairs at the edges.
Root System
Extensive and deep fibrous system with both underground rhizomes and surface stolons. High thatch-forming tendency; very fast establishment speed and excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
African origin; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, particularly the southern United States
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and stoloniferous; aggressive spreading habit forming a dense, low-growing mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0; requires consistent moisture for active growth.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 0.5-1.5 inches; high frequency (1-2 times weekly); fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance level requiring frequent aeration and dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; rapid recovery from injury; drought-resistant but goes dormant to survive extreme heat/dryness.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in garden beds due to aggressive rhizomes; often used in mixtures for sports fields.