Centipedegrass is a popular warm-season turfgrass known and loved by homeowners for its easy maintenance and bright color. With infrequent mowing and minimal fertilization needs, centipedegrass is both environmentally friendly and budget-friendly.
Join us as we take a closer look at everything you need to know about this low-maintenance grass.
Centipedegrass has a soft, medium-width blade with a lighter green hue compared to other warm-season grasses. Its color ranges from yellow-green to a deeper green, depending on the variety and how well it's cared for. The grass grows low and dense, hugging the ground, which gives it a neat, tidy appearance even when it hasn’t been mowed recently.
Unlike grasses that shoot up rapidly, centipedegrass spreads horizontally through stolons, which are creeping above-ground stems that root down at intervals. This slow, crawling growth habit forms a close-knit lawn that helps prevent weed invasions. The blades themselves are relatively smooth, making the grass comfortable underfoot.
In peak growing months, centipedegrass maintains a lively green color. However, it’s not as colorful as some other warm-season varieties in the cooler weather, which is a natural trait rather than a sign of poor health. When colder weather arrives, it fades to a brownish-tan during dormancy, only to revive with warmer spring temperatures.
Key Characteristics:
Centipedegrass is often nicknamed "the lazy man’s grass" for good reason. It’s one of the lowest-maintenance warm-season grasses, making it ideal for those who want a nice-looking lawn without constant work. Though all grass types need regular maintenance, this particular turf is resistant to many external factors and can thrive with minimal maintenance.
One of its top advantages is that it grows slowly and stays naturally shorter, meaning less mowing. It also requires less fertilizer than other grasses, thriving on minimal nutrients. This makes it both budget-friendly and environmentally considerate. Centipedegrass handles heat and humidity well, making it a solid choice for the southeastern U.S.
It’s worth noting that while it tolerates moderate shade better than some warm-season grasses, it still prefers plenty of sunlight. It also has a decent drought tolerance; it won’t bounce back from extreme dryness as quickly as Bermudagrass or Zoysiagrass, but it can handle short dry spells if its roots are well-established.
Main Benefits:
Centipedegrass follows a warm-season growth pattern, developing gradually and spreading steadily throughout the year. This turf type grows slowly, but monitoring its life cycle through the year and knowing what to expect in each season is the best way to stay on top of your lawn’s needs.
Spring (March to May):
As temperatures rise above 60°F, centipedegrass shakes off dormancy. Stolons slowly reawaken, extending outward to expand coverage. New shoots emerge from existing nodes, creating fresh growth that fills in bare spots. Roots deepen and strengthen during this period, setting the foundation for summer’s peak growth.
Summer (May to September):
Centipedegrass hits its stride in summer. Stolons continue creeping outward, albeit slowly, and the grass thickens. Unlike faster-growing warm-season grasses, it doesn’t aggressively take over, but it does steadily expand its reach, maintaining a uniform look. The blades stay soft and flexible, making it a comfortable surface for bare feet.
Fall (October to November):
As temperatures cool, top growth slows down, and stolons anchor more firmly. Energy shifts to root reinforcement, ensuring the grass stays resilient through winter dormancy. The bright green color starts to dull, transitioning to a brownish hue as the grass prepares for its rest period.
Winter (December to February):
Centipedegrass enters dormancy when temperatures consistently drop below 55°F. Growth stops, and the blades turn a straw-like brown. Beneath the surface, though, the roots and stolons remain alive, storing energy to fuel spring’s return.
Centipedegrass is beloved for its low-maintenance nature, but it’s not perfect for every lawn. Its slow growth, while convenient for mowing, also means it recovers sluggishly from damage. If a section of your lawn suffers from heavy foot traffic, pests, or disease, it won’t bounce back quickly, and bare patches can linger for a while.
Centipedegrass also dislikes compacted soil and poor drainage. It thrives best in sandy, acidic soil, so if your lawn has heavy clay or alkaline conditions, it may struggle. While it handles moderate drought, it can decline under extended dry spells without water. It’s also less cold-tolerant than Zoysiagrass or Bermudagrass, so in areas prone to hard freezes, it may suffer winter damage.
Centipedegrass may be low-maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore it completely. A little care goes a long way in keeping it healthy and vibrant. Keep the following tips in mind as a general guideline for centipedegrass care, and your lawn will stay healthy and dense through the growing season.
If you’re considering centipedegrass for your lawn or need help keeping it in top shape, our team at Brother’s Lawn Service is here to help. Call us today to learn more about seeding, sodding, or reviving a centipedegrass lawn!
If you are looking for a reliable lawn care company in Lafayette & Baton Rouge, then look no further. Brothers Lawn Service & Landscaping is your full-service lawn care expert and we promise a 100% satisfaction guaranteed! We ensure the quality of our service by providing personal attention to each and every lawn.