Centipede Grass
Eremochloa ophiuroides · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Andropogoneae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common (likely), similar to 'TifBlair'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7–10. Poor cold tolerance compared to Zoysia; enters a tawny brown dormancy after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
A low-maintenance, apple-green to lime-green turf with a coarse texture. It forms a thick carpet that naturally stays short, even when unmowed, rarely exceeding 4-6 inches. Known for its 'lazy' growth habit and light green spikes as seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Bades are medium to coarse (3-5mm), short, and blunt with a rounded or slightly pointed tip. Vernation is folded. Ligule is a short fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. The leaf color is notably lighter green than many other turf varieties.
Root System
Relatively shallow fibrous root system primarily supported by surface stolons. Poor thatch producer compared to Bermuda, but slow to establish from seed. Has moderate drought recovery but low absolute drought tolerance due to shallow roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China and Southeast Asia; highly adapted to the Southeast United States
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via above-ground runners), slow-growing, forming a dense low-growing mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred (at least 6 hours); moderate shade tolerance (better than Bermuda, worse than St. Augustine). Requires regular watering during dry spells; acidic soil preference (pH 4.5–6.0).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 1.5–2.0 inches. Low frequency mowing. Very low nitrogen requirement (1-2 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft per year); over-fertilization leads to 'Centipede Decline'. Low maintenance overall.
Special Characteristics
Excellent 'lazy man's grass' due to slow vertical growth. Good salt tolerance and moderate traffic tolerance. Highly susceptible to nematodes and ground pearls. Does not tolerate alkaline soils well (iron chlorosis).
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides soil stabilization but limited wildlife value. Non-invasive but can slowly creep into adjacent flower beds via stolons. Often used in mono-stands rather than blends.