Centipede Grass

Centipede grass is a native grass of the orient in China and parts of South East Asia. It can also be found in South America and Southern to Southeastern US and Hawaii. It is named after the centipede which it resembles somewhat as it grows. This warm-season grass should be planted in late spring or else early summer. Centipede grass is a slow growing and low maintenance turf grass. This sun-loving heat thriving grass grows in just about any soil type whether it is clayey, loamy, silty, or sandy. It even grows in relatively poor soil, which may not be nutrient rich. Salt whether in the soil or in the air, like near oceans, is not tolerated by this turf grass. It thrives in slightly acidic soil, so the soil pH should be from 5-6 on the pH scale. Soil that is more alkaline may not allow the grass to use enough iron from the soil and thus iron may need to be added through fertilizer to avoid a deficiency. 2 ounces of ferrous sulfate per 1000 sq ft may be needed.

Centipede grass only needs at least one inch of water per week. If you get an inch of rain in any given week then you will not need to water that particular week. This grass is not particularly drought tolerant, so water it if your area gets less than one inch of rainfall in a given week. You can give it up to two inches of water within seven days. During any one watering the water should soak 6-8 inches into the soil. Upon laying sod apply ¼ inch of water daily until it grow one inch then water the lawn 1 inch per week. If you have a weed problem and want to prevent weed seeds from germinating by using a pre-emergent herbicide, in most cases you may need to either apply the weed preventer at least four weeks before you seed the lawn or after the seeds have grown to grass that has been mowed at least four times. Most pre-emergent weed preventers hinder all plant seeds from germinating. It is best to either not use a pre-emergent at all until the next proper time of the year or to apply it weeks ahead of planting centipede grass seed. Wait at least a year to apply a post-emergent herbicide for existing weeds in the centipede lawn. Always make sure that the herbicide is safe to use on centipede grass.

When planting any plant, including grass, check the hardiness zone for the particular area where it will be planted before you buy it. Centipede grass grows best in zones 8-10. As with any grass seed buy the highest quality available that you can find. Check the label on grass seed packages for the germination rate, it should be 95% or higher. It should also have 0% noxious weed seeds. Centipede grass generally germinates between 14-30 days after sowing it. It should cover the lawn in about three months. This grass is sold as seed, plugs, sprigs, and sod. Sow it at a rate of 1-2 lbs per 1000 sq ft for seeds, 5-6 bushels per 1000 sq ft for sprigs. Plant the sprigs 9-12 inches apart and two inch plugs 6 inches apart and both can be planted one to two inches deep. After the grass has grown to two to three inches mow it down one inch shorter. Centipede grass should be cut to one to two inches in height. Never cut off any more than one inch of turf grass at any one mowing. If the grass grows more than an inch higher than when it should be mowed then cut one inch off once and then cut it again about four days later to its ideal height.

It takes centipede grass about three years to fully mature. Centipede grass needs very little fertilizer, if any at all, compared to other turf grasses. The fertilizer should have very low nitrogen and more phosphorous and potassium. Sandy soils may need the highest ideal amount of nitrogen for centipede grass to thrive. It is best to apply the total amount of a yearly amount of fertilizer divided in two applications, first in late spring and then in mid summer. A good ratio would be 3-1-2 for established centipede lawns. Fertilizer for centipede grass seed can be applied at a ratio of 1-2-5. Never fertilize during fall or winter. Centipede grass mixes well with carpet grass. If the centipede grass in the lawn turns brown during the cooler seasons you can overseed the lawn with annual ryegrass. Annual ryegrass will provide a green lawn and when it dies off the centipede grass should start greening up again. This turf grass loves sunny areas but will tolerate partial shade or four hours of sunlight. Centipede grass does not tolerate traffic well but there are cultivars of this grass that are tougher, like Centennial Centipede, Oaklawn, and Tennessee Hardy. Centipede is indeed a grass for the hot and the south that provides a soft green oasis which will beautify and engender southern charm of any home.

Centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides)

Color: light green

Texture: medium to fine

Grass type: warm-season

Varieties: Tennessee Hardy, Oaklawn, Centennial Centipede

Nativity: China and (parts of) Southeast Asia

Global establishment: China, Southeast Asia, West coast of Africa, South America, South to Southeastern US

Recommended zones: 8 to 10 (in the US from western border of Texas to the northern tip of Florida)

Ideal climate: China, Southeast Asia, west coast of Africa, South America, South and Southeast US and Hawaii

Planting rate: ½ -1 lb per 1000 sq ft or 14-45 lbs per sq acre for seeds, 5-6 bushels per 1000 sq ft for sprigs

Plant spacing: 9-12 inches for sprigs, 2 inch plugs at 6 inches apart

Planting time: late spring

Availability: seed, plugs, sprigs (runners), and sod

Soil pH level: down to slightly acidic; 4.5 to 5.5 (do not add lime in soil where centipede grass grows)

Soil texture: clay, loam, and sandy

Germination rate: 14 to 30 days

Growth rate: slow

Establishment rate: slow

Thatch production: moderate when over-fertilized

Maturation: 3 years at the soonest

Mature height:

Ideal mowing height: 1 to 2 inches (mowing any higher may kill and any higher may cause future decline)

Mowing frequency: once every two weeks

Fertilization: none to low; including iron (iron sulfate or iron chelate in soils slightly higher than ideal)

Fertilization frequency: once in spring (supplying little nitrogen and low amount of phosphorous)

Fertilization for seed: little nitrogen, 10 lbs of 5-10-15 per 1000 sq ft

Nitrogen need: low, ½ – 2 lb per 1000 sq ft (the higher rate in sandy soil)

Watering: 1 inch per week

Flood/water tolerance:

Maintenance need: low

Salt tolerance: low

Salty soil tolerance: low

Good grass mixes:

Root depth: shallow

Traffic/wear tolerance: low

Recuperative capability: slow, low mowing may kill it

Shade tolerance: moderate to good

Sunlight needs: full sun to partial shade

Cold tolerance: low, tolerant above 15 degrees, consistent 5 degree temps may kill it

Heat tolerance: good

Drought tolerance: moderate

Disease potential: low

Disease resistance: high

Disease susceptibility: brown patch, dollar spot

Pest resistance: high, except when over-fertilized

Pest susceptibility: nematodes

Weed prevention: pre-emergent during early spring or late fall when soil temps are or reach 55 degrees

Weed reduction: post-emergent during late spring and in fall when temps fall below 75 degrees

Overseeding: not recommended, or else use fescue or annual ryegrass