Bermudagrass is Cynodon dactylon or, more commonly in North Carolina, the hybrid between C. dactylon and C. transvaalensis. It is a warm-season, perennial turfgrass, although it can also be considered a perennial weed when found growing in locations where it is unwanted. Bermudagrass is a mat-forming, medium- to fine-textured grass that is suitable for lawns and public areas. Bermudagrass spreads by rhizomes, stolons, and seeds (except hybrids) and tolerates a wide range of soil types and pH ranging from 5.0-8.5. Be very wary of introducing this turfgrass to your garden . Once it is established, it will spread vigorously and uncontrollably and cannot be removed without resorting to repeated applications of herbicides. Bermudagrass grows best in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun and warm temperatures. It does not grow well under low light (shaded) conditions but does tolerate heat and drought. To maintain it as a turfgrass, mow regularly to a height of 3/4 inch to 2 inches tall, fertilize during the growing season (May to August), and use soil barriers to slow its spread into adjacent areas. Some winter kill is to be expected when winter temperatures dip below 10 degrees F. It needs regular dethatching if heavily fertilized. Hybrid bermudagrass cultivars must be propagated vegetatively; seeded cultivars can be propagated by seeds or by vegetative means. Bermudagrass is widely used on athletic fields and golf course fairways due to its high tolerance for heavy traffic and rapid recovery time. In other settings, it is considered a very invasive and difficult-to-control weed. Refer to TurfFiles for cultural and chemical management. If you must grow it, refer to " Caring for Your Lawn and the Environment " for guidelines on fertilizing and mowing. Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. White grubs are the most common insect problem. Additional insects of concern include sod webworms, cutworms, armyworms, nematodes and mole crickets. Watch for mites. With its high production of pollen, it can be a major cause of hay fever. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common southern lawn diseases.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.