Centipede Grass
Eremochloa ophiuroides · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Andropogoneae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Centipede (often referred to as 'Lazy Man's Grass' due to slow growth)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; poor cold tolerance; enters dormant brown state during winter; susceptible to 'Centipede Decline' in marginal zones.
About This Grass
Low-growing, apple-green to light green turf with a medium texture. It maintains a short height and produces inconspicuous single-spike seed heads that resemble thin, rat-tail like racemes.
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (3-5mm), flat blades with a blunt or rounded tip; vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent; color is characteristically lighter green than Bermuda or Zoysia.
Root System
Relatively shallow fibrous root system; spreads exclusively by thick, leafy stolons; slow establishment from seed; low thatch producer compared to other warm-season grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China and Southeast Asia; highly adapted to the Southeastern United States and Gulf Coast
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via above-ground runners); lacks rhizomes; slow rate of spread but forms a dense, low-growing mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred but moderate shade tolerance; requires 6+ hours of sun; moderate water needs but poor drought recovery due to shallow roots; prefers acidic soil (pH 5.0 to 6.0).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.5 to 2.0 inches; low mowing frequency due to slow growth; low nitrogen requirement (1-2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year); sensitive to over-fertilization.
Special Characteristics
Excellent 'lazy man' grass due to low maintenance; poor wear tolerance (slow to recover from traffic); high acid soil tolerance; susceptible to nematodes and ground pearls.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization in sandy, acidic soils; low wildlife value; generally non-invasive in natural forest ecosystems due to specific soil requirements.