Lawn Grasses

Eremochloa ophiuroides

Centipede Grass

Poaceae
Southeast Asia (China); introduced to the US in 1916

At a Glance

TypeGrass
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height2-6 inches (5-15 cm) mowed; 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) unmowed
Widthindefinite spread by stolons
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 10
Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9Zone 10
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer ResistantDrought Tolerant
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Eremochloa ophiuroides is centipede grass (centipedegrass), a warm-season perennial spreading grass growing 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) mowed height. Apple-green to light green medium-textured blades 2-4 mm wide. Spreads by stolons (above-ground runners) only — no rhizomes. In the grass family (Poaceae). The apple-green color is lighter than Bermuda or zoysia. Warm-season: grows actively at 75-90°F (24-32°C). Goes dormant (turns brown) below 55°F (13°C). Requires acid soil pH 5.0-6.0 — the primary limitation. Chlorosis (yellowing) occurs above pH 6.5 due to iron deficiency in alkaline soils. The lowest-maintenance warm-season lawn grass in the southeastern US: mow infrequently at 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm), no fertilization needed on acid soils, low water requirement. Slow to establish from seed (2-3 years to full density). Not traffic-tolerant — does not recover from heavy wear. Sensitive to herbicides — many common lawn herbicides damage centipede grass. Zones 7-10. Drought-tolerant once established. Non-toxic. Perennial. Growth rate is slow.

Native Range

Native to southeast Asia (China). Introduced to the United States in 1916.

Suggested Uses

Used as a low-maintenance warm-season lawn grass in the southeastern US (zones 7-10). Acid soils (pH 5.0-6.0). Low-traffic areas. Not for alkaline soils. Not for heavy wear. Slow to establish. Perennial.

How to Identify

Identified by apple-green to light green medium-textured blades 2-4 mm wide on a low spreading mat with stolons only (no rhizomes). The apple-green color (lighter than Bermuda's blue-green) and the lack of rhizomes are diagnostic. Spreads more slowly than Bermuda. In Poaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread1' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks
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Summer
Summer (June-August). Inconspicuous greenish spike-like racemes 2-3 inches (5-7 cm). Wind-pollinated. Mowed off in lawn use.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Apple-green to light green, medium-textured blades 2-4 mm wide; lighter green than Bermuda or zoysia — the apple-green color is the species' defining visual trait

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 5-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.0(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years to full density from seed

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade (5+ hours). Acid soil pH 5.0-6.0 — chlorosis above pH 6.5. Mow at 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) infrequently. No fertilization on acid soils. Sensitive to many herbicides. Not traffic-tolerant. Dormant (brown) below 55 degrees F (13 degrees C). Zones 7-10. Perennial.

Pruning

Mow at 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm). Mow infrequently — centipede grass grows slowly. Do not scalp. No dethatching unless thatch exceeds 0.5 inch (1.3 cm). Do not overfertilize — centipede decline results from excess nitrogen.

Pruning Schedule

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late springsummerfall

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic