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 / TifBlair
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. Poor cold tolerance; enters dormant brown state during winter. Susceptible to winter kill in heavy frost areas.
About This Grass
A low-growing, apple-green grass that forms a dense, weed-resistant sod. It is often called 'Lazy Man\'s Grass' due to its slow vertical growth. Leaf blades are medium-textured and it produces single-spike seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (3-5mm), apple-green color, flat shape with a blunt or rounded tip. Vernation is folded; the ligule is a short fringe of hairs. No auricles present.
Root System
Sod-forming via stolons; roots are moderately shallow. Slow to establish from seed but creates a dense, low-thatch mat once mature.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China and Southeast Asia; highly adapted to the Southeastern United States (Sandy Coastal Plains)
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via above-ground runners), slow-growing, creates a low-profile mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (6+ hours) preferred; moderate shade tolerance. Low water needs once established, prefers acidic soils (pH 4.5-6.0). Highly sensitive to iron deficiency in high pH soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 1.5 - 2.0 inches. Low frequency mowing. Low fertilization (1-2 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year). Excessive nitrogen can cause 'Centipede Decline.'
Special Characteristics
Excellent salt tolerance, low maintenance, competitive against weeds when healthy, poor traffic/wear tolerance (slow recovery).
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; valuable for soil stabilization in low-input landscapes. Not typically considered invasive in the US, but can outcompete native grasses in specific acidic, sandy niches.