If bermudagrass were in high school, it would win the senior superlative for “most popular.” This common grass species is ubiquitous in warm-season lawns from Florida to the mid- and sometimes northern transition zone. Its fast growth rate and ability to resist and recover thin bermuda grass from wear make it a popular grass for lawns that have lots of traffic from kids or four-legged friends.
Bermudagrass is the most widely used warm-season turfgrass in the southern U.S. It is equivalent in popularity to Kentucky bluegrass in cool-season areas. You’ll find bermudagrass used in a variety of different applications, including home lawns, bank stabilization, and in many different types of recreational and sports turf, such as golf course roughs, putting greens, parks, and school grounds.
This deep-rooted grass is installed in the warm-season grass zone (including Hawaii) and into the southern and central transition zone. Some newer varieties have greater cold tolerance and will survive in the northern transition zone, as well. Bermudagrass prefers full sun and anywhere from low to high levels of fertilizer, depending on the cultivar. Common varieties or improved common varieties are most popular in lower-maintenance settings, such as home lawns or to stabilize soil. Hybrid varieties are used in high-maintenance settings, such as sports fields, and withstand shorter mowing heights.
Bermudagrass is ideal for homeowners with active families looking for a grass that withstands frequent foot traffic and is able to recover well from damage that may occur. Both bermuda and Zoysia are often used in sports turf for these reasons, so they are both ones to consider if foot traffic and recovery from wear are important to you.
