Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon
Also listed as Capriola dactylon, Panicum dactylon
Also known as Bermuda Quick Grass, Finger Grass, Couch Grass
Climate Match for your location
See how well Bermuda Grass grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A warm-season grass that spreads via rhizomes and stolons to form a dense, fine-textured turf. Extremely drought-tolerant and durable, making it ideal for lawns, sports fields, and erosion control in warm climates.
Why grow it
Bermuda grass outperforms most cool-season turf grasses in hot, dry climates where irrigation is limited, and its dense growth from rhizomes and stolons makes it effective for erosion control on slopes. It tolerates heavy traffic and recovers quickly from wear, making it a standard choice for sports fields and high-use areas in warm regions. Where cool-season grasses struggle, Bermuda often requires fewer inputs once established.
Watch out for
Bermuda grass can be slow to establish from seed in cool climates and may thin or go dormant if temperatures drop significantly. It can be aggressive within its intended growing area, potentially outcompeting nearby plantings if not managed with clear borders. Some cultivars are finer-textured than others, so select varieties suited to your specific climate and intended use.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native Range
Africa
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A warm-season grass that spreads via rhizomes and stolons to form a dense, fine-textured turf. Extremely drought-tolerant and durable, making it ideal for lawns, sports fields, and erosion control in warm climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Bermuda Grass grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Bermuda grass outperforms most cool-season turf grasses in hot, dry climates where irrigation is limited, and its dense growth from rhizomes and stolons makes it effective for erosion control on slopes. It tolerates heavy traffic and recovers quickly from wear, making it a standard choice for sports fields and high-use areas in warm regions. Where cool-season grasses struggle, Bermuda often requires fewer inputs once established.
Watch out for
Bermuda grass can be slow to establish from seed in cool climates and may thin or go dormant if temperatures drop significantly. It can be aggressive within its intended growing area, potentially outcompeting nearby plantings if not managed with clear borders. Some cultivars are finer-textured than others, so select varieties suited to your specific climate and intended use.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native Range
Africa
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.