Centipede Grass
Eremochloa ophiuroides · Warm-season perennial, C4 metabolic pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Andropogoneae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Centipede / 'TifBlair' type (exhibiting characteristic reddish-purple stolons)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7b to 10. Poor cold tolerance; enters dormant tan/brown state during first frost. Known as 'The Lazy Man's Grass' for its low maintenance in the deep south.
About This Grass
A low-maintenance, apple-green to medium-green turf grass. It has a coarse texture and stays naturally short. In the image, the grass shows prominent thick, creeping stolons with a distinct reddish-purple tint that branch out across sandy soil. Seed heads are single, slender spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (3-5mm), short and blunt with a slightly rounded tip. Blades are hairless except for the collar region. Vernation is folded in the bud. It lacks auricles and has a short, membranous ligule with very fine hairs.
Root System
Heavily reliant on surface stolon networks; root system is relatively shallow compared to Bermuda. Slow to establish from seed but forms a tight sod; low thatch producer if not over-fertilized.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Southeast Asia and China; highly adapted to the Southeastern United States (Gulf Coast to Carolinas)
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via above-ground runners), slow-growing, forming a dense but low-growing mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun but has moderate shade tolerance (better than Bermuda, less than St. Augustine). Requires 6+ hours of sun. Low water needs once established but susceptible to 'Centipede Decline' in extreme drought or high pH (>6.0) soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.5 to 2.0 inches. Requires infrequent mowing due to slow vertical growth. Very low nitrogen requirements (1-2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Sensitive to over-fertilization.
Special Characteristics
High tolerance for acidic, sandy, and infertile soils where other grasses fail. Low wear tolerance (recovers slowly from traffic). High salt tolerance. Resistant to most insects but susceptible to ground pearls and nematodes.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in North America. Used for low-input stabilization of sandy soils and roadsides. Non-invasive in most ecosystems but can dominate poor soils. Often grown as a monoculture due to its unique lime-green color and specific soil pH needs.