Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Look for small circular patches in the lawn.
- Check if the spots have a dark border.
- Examine your watering schedule to see if you are watering at night.
Likely causes
Dollar spot
Most likelyHow to tell: You see small, circular patches about 2 to 6 inches wide that look bleached or tan.
What to do: Apply a fungicide labeled for dollar spot. Increase your nitrogen fertilization slightly to help the grass outgrow the infection.
Leaf spot fungus
PossibleHow to tell: Dark brown or purple spots appear on the individual blades of grass.
What to do: Avoid watering in the late evening to keep the foliage dry overnight. Remove excess thatch to improve airflow.
Find out what's wrong with your bermuda grass
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Take action as soon as you see circular patches, as they can merge into large dead areas. Small, isolated spots are usually manageable.
Stopping it coming back
Water deeply in the early morning to ensure the grass dries out during the day.
Bermuda grass: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bermuda grass and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Is dollar spot contagious?
- The fungus can spread through spores carried by wind, water, or lawn equipment. Clean your mower deck after cutting infected areas.
- Should I stop watering?
- Do not stop watering, but change your timing. Water early in the morning so the grass blades dry quickly.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Bermuda grass
Back to the Bermuda grass guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.