Centipede Grass
Eremochloa ophiuroides · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Andropogoneae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Centipede (often 'TifBlair' for improved cold tolerance)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; poor cold tolerance; enters dormant brown state in winter; susceptible to winter kill in northern transition zones.
About This Grass
Known as 'Lazy Man’s Grass' due to its slow growth and low maintenance; features a light apple-green color, coarse texture, and a prostrate habit. Seed heads are single, spike-like racemes.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse texture (>4mm); short, flat blades with a blunt or boat-shaped tip; apple-green color; folded vernation; hairy ligule; auricles absent; constricted collar.
Root System
Relatively shallow fibrous root system supported by creeping stolons; slow establishment from seed; low thatch producer compared to Bermuda/Zoysia.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Southeast Asia and China; common in the Southeastern United States (Gulf Coast and Carolinas)
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads by thick above-ground runners), forming a dense, low-growing mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun but has moderate shade tolerance; needs 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs; sensitive to iron chlorosis in high pH soils (prefers 5.0-6.0 pH).
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 1.5 to 2.0 inches; Low frequency; Fertilization: 1-2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually (avoid over-fertilizing); Low maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Low maintenance; extremely aggressive against weeds once established; poor wear/traffic tolerance; high salt tolerance; sensitive to many common herbicides.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization for sandy acidic soils; low wildlife value but creates dense cover; non-invasive in most ecosystems but dominant in lawn settings.