WEED ID · PERENNIAL GRASS

Bermudagrass

Also called Bermuda grass, bermudagrass in beds, bermudagrass in St. Augustine

Bermudagrass is fine as a lawn, but it is a weed when it creeps into flower beds or into a St. Augustine or zoysia lawn. It spreads fast and is hard to get rid of.

When you’ll see it: Spring through fall, goes dormant in cool weather

Bermudagrass mat with thin upright seedheads, each with several finger-like branches fanning out from the top, growing low in a lawn — Photo: Harry Rose, CC BY 2.0

How to spot it

Low, wiry runners that creep across the soil and root as they go
Runners above ground (stolons) and below ground (rhizomes)
Smooth, pointed leaves with a ring of white hairs where the blade meets the stem
Seedhead with 3 to 7 thin, finger-like branches from one point
Shows up as a patch that looks different from your lawn grass, or as grass runners through a bed

Why it shows up

Bermudagrass spreads by stolons and rhizomes that root at every joint. Small pieces left in the soil can grow back. Mowing can carry pieces from one spot to the next. Mulch alone does not stop it.

How we treat it

Bermudagrass is hard to remove once it takes hold. In beds, we pull and dig out the runners and keep up with edging and bed care. In a St. Augustine or zoysia lawn, we will look at how far it has spread and tell you what is realistic. We also fertilize to keep your lawn thick.

What you can do

Dig out the runners, roots and all. Small pieces left behind can regrow.
Keep a clean edge where the lawn meets your beds.
Do not dig or till wet soil. It breaks the runners up and spreads them.

WANT IT HANDLED?

Let a licensed applicator take it from here.

Tell us about your lawn. We’ll get back to you with a free quote.

Prefer to talk? 817-382-1722

Licensed applicator, Texas Department of Agriculture · License #0984138