Cynodon

( sy - NOH - don )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly known as Bermuda Grass, Dog's Tooth Grass, or simply Bermuda, this perennial grass species needs full sun and moderate to regular water to perform well. These grasses are fine-textured, and spread rapidly by both surface and underground runners. They tolerate heat and direct sun well, and will turn brown in wintertime (though can stay green year-round if well-fed). This grass is a great choice for large lawn areas, though it needs constant mowing and feeding to stay looking trimmed.

Cynodon Species and Varietals

The genus Cynodon is a member of the plant family Poaeceae and includes 8-10 species. The genus name is derived from the Greek words κύων (kúōn), meaning "dog", and ὀδούς (odoús), meaning "tooth". Many species that were once members of Cynodon are now included in other genera, including Bouteloua, Arundo, Muhlenbergia, Poa, and Eustachys. The best growing zones for Bermuda Grass are USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 5-10, 12-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. Varieties are listed below.

Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda Grass, Couch Grass, Dhoob, Dūrvā Grass, Ethana Grass, Dubo, Dog Grass, Dog's Tooth Grass, Bahama Grass, Devil's Grass, Indian Doab, Arugampul, Grama, Wiregrass, Scutch Grass)
This species produces grey-green leaf blades and erect stems can reach up to a foot tall. Stems are typically flattened, white to green, and sometimes have a purple tinge to them. These plants have deep root systems, reaching up to 6 feet down into the soil. This grass will actively start growing at temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a fast-growing, tough grass, suitable for sports fields and lawns. This species is considered highly aggressive and invasive in the United States, Australia, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, and the Pacific Islands. There are many cultivars, some of which are listed below.

'Santa Ana'
This variety is deep green in color, is coarse foliaged, and is smog-resistant. Can take hard wear, and holds color through most of the year.

'Tifdwarf II'
Low, dense variety that can take very close mowing. This variety is slower to establish than others in the species. Useful as a small-scale groundcover on banks and among rocks.

'Tifgreen 328'
This species is famous for being used on golf greens, and has sterile seeds. Can take close mowing, and is fine textured with a deep blue-green color.

'Tifway 419'
This variety is slow to start and has sterile seeds. Color is dark green, and this variety can take wear well. Dense, fine textured foliage.

Cynodon nlemfuensis (African Bermuda Grass)
This species is native to tropical Africa, and is widely introduced as a forage crop around the world. These grasses can reach up to 4 feet tall and produce linear green leaves. This species grows well in tropical areas, and is ideal for USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Caring for Cynodon

Cynodon can be planted via seed or sod, and should be situated in full sun; ideally this type of grass should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for the best growth and overall performance. Ensure that soil is well-draining, moderately fertile, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 8.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Cynodon is a highly drought-tolerant turfgrass that thrives in hot and arid conditions. It is ideal for areas with water restrictions, and can go long periods without irrigation. Irrigation should be deep and infrequent, 1-2 times a week, which will encourage deep root systems to form.

Fertilize a few times a year with a decomposed compost that is fine in texture and well-rotted. Apply a 1/4 inch layer over the area and gently work it in to the soil using a rake or brush. Water it in thoroughly after application, and then continue care as usual. Cynodon grasses can be left to grow naturally, or they can be mowed as a formal lawn. They are best when mowed to between 1 and 2 inches tall. Unmowed, they typically reach up to between 4 inches and 2 feet tall, becoming sprawling and wiry. These grasses will spread rapidly via deep rhizomes and surface stolons. These grasses typically survive in the landscape for between 3 and 5 years, but will spread over time, providing new plants indefinitely.

Propagation

Cynodon, or Bermuda Grass, is best propagated by division or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. To propagate your Bermuda Grass, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Cynodon by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, and a spray bottle. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. A good potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded, and are typically held above the foliage on thin stems. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Get your container prepared. Water the seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place the seeds about a quarter inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with the spray bottle. Place the tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Alternatively and more commonly, Agrostis seeds can be direct-sown into bare areas of the garden, or dispersed over an existing lawn area that is becoming bare. When direct-sowing Agrostis seeds, make sure to prep the area by removing existing unwanted vegetation and debris, and prepare and level soil by adding some compost over the top. If seeding in a high-traffic area, it is recommended that barriers or caution tape be put up to avoid trampling small seedlings.

Propagating Cynodon by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring or fall. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Separate the removed patch of grass into sections using a sharp, clean knife or trowel. Ensure that each division has a healthy root system and a few shoots. Any dried out areas with dead roots can be tossed in the compost.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with well-draining soil and compost and rake it in. Water thoroughly, and then place divisions on top.
Keep soil consistently moist as the newly-planted divisions establish strong root systems in their new home. Provide regular waterings, especially during dry spells. It typically takes between 1 and 2 weeks for these grasses to develop their initial shallow root systems, and up to 30-45 days for their deeper roots to form.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Cynodon grasses can have issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: