Bermuda grass.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial grass

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

6 to 12 inches

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 6 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the grass mowed short to encourage a dense, carpet like growth habit. Watch for thinning patches which often signal a need for more nitrogen or better sunlight exposure. It is very drought tolerant once established but looks its best with regular moisture.

Watering

Water deeply once or twice a week to encourage deep root growth.

Feeding

Apply a balanced nitrogen rich fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Mow frequently to maintain a height of 1 to 2 inches.

Repotting

This plant is typically grown as a lawn grass and is not suited for containers.

Soil

Well draining sandy or loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-10 to 45°C

Humidity

30 to 80%

Safety

People

It is generally considered non-toxic to humans.

Pets

This grass is generally safe for cats and dogs, though some pets may experience mild stomach upset if they eat large amounts.

Children

There are no specific safety concerns for children, though the blades can be sharp enough to cause minor paper-like cuts.

Contact allergens

The stiff blades can cause minor skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is a significant airborne allergen during the summer months.

Edibility

This grass is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

• Gray green blade color
• Spreading via underground rhizomes
• Fine textured leaf blades
• Finger like seed head clusters

Height

0.05 to 0.3m

Spread

1 to 5m

Leaves

green, blue-green, deciduous

Flowers

purple, green, 0.2 to 0.5cm

Common problems

• Dollar spot — Small, circular patches of bleached grass caused by fungal infection.
• Bermudagrass mite — Microscopic pests that cause stunted growth and yellowing of the grass blades.

• Why is my Bermuda grass turning yellow?
• Why are there spots on my Bermuda grass?
• Why is my Bermuda grass looking leggy?

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed, stolons

When to plant

spring, early summer

Keep this grass away from garden beds as its rhizomes will easily invade and choke out other plants.

Grows well with

• White Clover — It fixes nitrogen in the soil which helps the grass grow.

Keep away from

• Kentucky Bluegrass — The two species will aggressively compete for space and resources.

Similar species

• St. Augustine Grass — Another common warm-season turf grass with broader blades.

Science

Family

Poaceae

Genus

Cynodon

Order

Poales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Africa, Asia, and Southern Europe.

Conservation

It is considered an invasive species in many regions outside its native range.

It thrives in disturbed soils and open sunny areas where it can outcompete other plants for light and resources.

Value to wildlife

larval host plant, erosion control

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

turf grass, erosion control, pasture forage

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How do I stop it from spreading?

You must install deep root barriers or use regular edging to contain the rhizomes.

Does it need a lot of fertilizer?

It responds well to nitrogen-rich fertilizers during its active growing season.

Where the name comes from

The name Cynodon comes from the Greek words for dog and tooth, while dactylon refers to the finger-like arrangement of the flower spikes.

Good to know

• It is incredibly drought tolerant and can survive long periods without water.
• The plant spreads aggressively through both underground rhizomes and above-ground stolons.
• It is often called the devil's grass by gardeners because it is so difficult to remove from flower beds.
• It requires full sun to thrive and will quickly die back in shaded areas.