Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild-type / standard variety)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10; excellent heat tolerance; goes into winter dormancy (turning brown) when temperatures drop below 50°F; susceptible to winter kill in colder northern zones
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured, bright green turf that spreads rapidly to form a tight carpet; height can range from under 1 inch when closely mowed on golf courses to several inches if left unmowed, producing slender digitate seed heads with 3 to 7 spikes
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine blades (approx. 2-3 mm wide), flat to folded shape, pointed tips, gray-green to bright green color, rolled in the bud (vernation), ligule is a fringe of hairs, auricles absent, collar is continuous and narrow
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet deep in favorable soils; moderate to fast establishment from seed, sprigs, or sod; forms a heavy thatch layer under high fertility; exhibits exceptional drought tolerance and rapid wear recovery via stolons/rhizomes
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions globally
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading by both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a very dense, tight sod and mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (intolerant of dense shade); high water needs for optimal green appearance during peak summer, but extremely drought tolerant by going dormant during severe dry spells; prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches for lawns (lower for golf turf); needs frequent mowing during growing season; high fertilization requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); requires regular dethatching and core aeration; high maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Outstanding wear and traffic tolerance, making it ideal for sports fields and high-traffic areas; good salt tolerance; high drought recovery via underground rhizomes; aggressive growth helps naturally crowd out most weeds
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes and coastal areas; acts as a food source and cover for various insects and small herbivores; can behave invasively in agricultural settings or natural habitats due to aggressive creeping habit