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 Centipedegrass (likely TifBlair if improved high-cold tolerance is present)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. Poor cold tolerance; enters dormant brown state after first hard frost. Sustained temperatures below 0°F can kill the root system.
About This Grass
Known as the 'Lazy Man's Grass' due to its slow growth. It has a distinctive apple-green to light green color. It maintains a low profile even when unmowed, rarely exceeding 4-6 inches. Seed heads are single, slender spikes that appear later in the season.
Blade Characteristics
Medium texture (3-5mm wide), short and blunt with a rounded tip. Blades are flat, folded in the bud (vernation). Ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent. The collar is constricted and hairy on the edges.
Root System
Relatively shallow fibrous root system originating from stolons. Low thatch producer compared to Bermuda, but slow to recover from deep damage due to its slow growth rate.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China and Southeast Asia; highly adapted to the Southeastern United States (Sandy Coastal Plains to the Piedmont)
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. Prefers acidic soils (pH 4.5 to 6.0) and has moderate drought tolerance, needing supplemental water during extended dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.5 to 2.0 inches. Low fertilization needs (1-2 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year). Over-fertilizing can cause 'Centipede Decline.' Low maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent at crowding out weeds once established. Low maintenance requirements. Sensitive to iron deficiency (chlorosis) in high pH soils. Moderate wear tolerance but slow to regrow.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides soil stabilization in sandy soils. Low chemical input requirements make it more environmentally friendly than high-maintenance turfgrasses. Often blended with Carpetgrass in low-maintenance utility areas.