Bermuda Grass — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Cynodon dactylon |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 5–14 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–35 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 21–45 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 10.2–30.5 |
| Mature height (cm) | 5.1–15.2 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 15.2–91.4 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 7–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Seed or sprig in spring when soil is above 65°F; mow at 1.5–2 inches for common types or 0.5–1.5 inches for hybrid varieties. Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is one of the most widespread warm-season turf grasses in the world and the dominant sports and athletic turf in zone 7–11, valued for its exceptional heat and drought tolerance, rapid recovery from wear and damage, and aggressive spreading habit via stolons and rhizomes that produces a dense, fine-textured, resilient sward when properly maintained. Common Bermuda grass can be established from seed (relatively inexpensive) but the finest-textured, most attractive Bermuda lawns use sterile hybrid cultivars established vegetatively: 'Tifway 419' (standard athletic and home turf), 'Celebration' (improved color and shade tolerance), 'TifTuf' (exceptional drought tolerance), and 'Latitude 36' (improved cold tolerance). The major limitation of Bermuda grass for residential use is its extremely poor shade tolerance — it requires at least 6–8 hours of direct sun and thins dramatically under trees — making it unsuitable for many residential lots with mature shade trees. In full sun, however, Bermuda grass is unmatched for durability, heat tolerance, and drought resistance. Goes dormant (tan) with first frost, greening up again when soil temperatures rise above 55°F in spring.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0