Centipede Grass
Eremochloa ophiuroides · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Centipede (likely), often referred to as 'The Lazy Man's Grass'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; sensitive to extreme cold and prolonged freezes; enters winter dormancy and turns brown after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
A low-growing, apple-green to lime-green turf grass known for its slow growth and low maintenance. It forms a coarse-textured, thick sod that naturally chokes out most weeds. Seed heads are single, slender spikes appearing in late summer.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (3-5mm), short and blunt with a rounded or slightly boat-shaped tip; blades are flat with a prominent midrib; vernation is folded; ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Relatively shallow fibrous root system primarily arising from stolon nodes; low thatch tendency; slow establishment speed from seed but becomes very dense once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Southeast Asia and China; common in the Southeastern United States (from South Carolina to Texas)
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads by thick, leafy above-ground runners that form a dense, low-growing mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (6+ hours) preferred; moderate shade tolerance compared to Bermuda; requires regular water during establishment but sensitive to over-saturated soils; prefers acidic soil (pH 5.0 to 6.0).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.5 to 2.0 inches; infrequent mowing required due to slow growth; low fertilization needs (1-2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year); maintenance level is Low.
Special Characteristics
Low traffic/wear tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia; excellent weed suppression once established; highly sensitive to high pH (alkaline) soils and iron chlorosis; salt tolerant.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; used for soil stabilization in sandy acidic soils; non-invasive in forested environments; often grown as a mono-stand rather than in blends.