centipedegrass

Centipedegrass, Eremochloa ophiuroides, is a warm-season perennial turfgrass native to parts of Asia that is widely used for lawns in the southeastern United States and other warm regions. It forms a low, creeping turf with slender stolons and roots at nodes, creating a dense, uniform lawn with a light-green color. It establishes slowly but, once established, requires relatively little maintenance compared with some other warm-season grasses.

Centipedegrass grows best in full sun and tolerates light shade but is not well suited to deep shade. It prefers well-drained, moderately fertile, acidic soils (pH roughly 5.0 to 6.5). It is relatively drought-tolerant when established but does not recover quickly from flooding or severe drought. It is sensitive to cold, and cold winters can cause browning or kill the aboveground tissue in cooler regions.

Management: Mowing height is typically about 1 to 2 inches; mowing frequency is infrequent due to slow growth. Fertilization should be light; excessive nitrogen promotes thatch and broad-leaved weed invasion and can weaken drought tolerance. Irrigation should aim at deep, infrequent watering to promote deep rooting.

Pests and diseases: Centipedegrass can be affected by diseases such as brown patch and take-all root rot in humid conditions, and by pests like chinch bugs and grubs in susceptible sites. Good cultural practices help reduce risk.

Propagation and uses: It is commonly established by vegetative methods—sprigs or sod—because seed germination is slow and inconsistent. Centipedegrass is favored for low-input lawns in warm climates where its maintenance and shade tolerance are acceptable.