Lawn Grasses

Eremochloa ophiuroides

Centipede Grass

PoaceaeAsia

At a Glance

TypeGrass
Habitcreeping
Foliagedeciduous
Height2-6 inches
Widthspreading

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7a - 10b
Zone 7a
Zone 7b
Zone 8a
Zone 8b
Zone 9a
Zone 9b
Zone 10a
Zone 10b
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Overview

Eremochloa ophiuroides is a warm-season perennial grass known for its distinctive creeping growth habit and apple-green color. This low-maintenance turf grass produces narrow, pointed leaves that emerge from stolons, creating a dense, uniform carpet-like appearance. The grass blades are typically 2-5mm wide with a characteristic light to medium green color that distinguishes it from other warm-season grasses. The most notable feature of Eremochloa ophiuroides is its aggressive spreading nature through above-ground runners called stolons, which gives it excellent coverage capability. During its growing season, it produces seed heads that resemble small spikes, typically appearing in late summer to early fall. The plant forms a thick, low-growing mat that rarely exceeds 6 inches in height when unmowed, making it an excellent choice for areas where minimal maintenance is desired.

Native Range

Eremochloa ophiuroides is native to Southeast Asia, particularly found in China and Southeast Asian countries. It was introduced to the United States in the early 1900s and has since become naturalized in the southeastern coastal plains.

Suggested Uses

Eremochloa ophiuroides works well as a low-maintenance lawn grass, particularly in areas with sandy, acidic soils. It's excellent for erosion control on slopes, naturalized areas, and locations where minimal inputs are desired. This grass is ideal for homeowners who want an attractive lawn without intensive maintenance requirements. It performs well in areas with light foot traffic but may not withstand heavy recreational use.

How to Identify

Eremochloa ophiuroides can be identified by its distinctive apple-green color and creeping growth habit with visible stolons running along the surface. The narrow grass blades are pointed and relatively short, growing from nodes along the stolons. Key identification features include the characteristic light green color that's more yellow-green than other warm-season grasses, the presence of above-ground runners, and seed heads that appear as small, spike-like structures. The grass forms a dense, low mat and has a slower establishment rate compared to other warm-season turf grasses.

Appearance

Bloom Information

late summer to early fall

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

apple-green to light green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

full sun to partial shade

Soil pH

5.0-6.0

Water & Climate

Water Needs

low to moderate

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Eremochloa ophiuroides requires minimal maintenance once established, making it an ideal low-input turf grass. Water deeply but infrequently, typically requiring only 1 inch of water per week during active growth periods. This grass thrives in acidic soils and actually performs poorly in alkaline conditions, so avoid lime applications. Fertilize lightly with a balanced fertilizer in late spring, as over-fertilization can lead to thatch buildup and increased susceptibility to pests. The grass naturally goes dormant in winter, turning brown, and will green up again in late spring when soil temperatures reach 65-70°F.

Pruning

Mow Eremochloa ophiuroides to a height of 1-2 inches using a sharp mower blade to prevent tearing. This grass grows slowly and typically requires mowing every 7-14 days during peak growing season. Avoid scalping, as the grass recovers slowly from damage. In late winter before spring green-up, you can mow lower to remove dead material, but never remove more than one-third of the blade length at one time. Dethatching may be necessary every 2-3 years if thatch buildup exceeds half an inch.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Eremochloa ophiuroides is generally non-toxic to humans and pets. Like most grasses, it may cause mild digestive upset if consumed in large quantities by pets, but it poses no serious toxicity concerns for typical lawn use.