Centipede Grass: Cultivars, Care Rules, Seed and Sod Prices

Key takeaways

• Feed centipede grass 1 to 2 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft a year, starting no earlier than mid-May in North Carolina; UGA calls 1 lb ample for most established lawns, and overfeeding is linked to centipedegrass decline (Clemson HGIC 1215; NC State AG-381; UGA C1003).
• Centipede grass wants soil pH 5.0 to 6.0; above about 6.5 it turns yellow from iron chlorosis, which a spray of 2 oz ferrous sulfate in 3 to 5 gallons of water per 1,000 sq ft masks for weeks (UGA C1003; UF/IFAS LH009).
• It is the cheapest warm-season sod in the USDA’s national report: 28.27 cents per sq ft at the farm in April to June 2026, against 38.04 for bermudagrass and 54.25 for St. Augustinegrass (USDA AMS).
• Seed at 1/4 to 1/2 lb per 1,000 sq ft between April and July; it takes about 28 days to germinate and up to three years to form a full lawn (NC State AG-381; UF/IFAS LH009).
• Centipede grass is sensitive to 2,4-D, should get no herbicide above 90°F, and is excluded from oxadiazon (Ronstar) preemergent use (Clemson HGIC 1215; UGA Bulletin 1462).

Key number	Value	Source
Mowing height	1 to 2 in; never let it pass 2.5 in	NC State AG-381
Nitrogen per year	1 to 2 lb per 1,000 sq ft	Clemson HGIC 1215
Preferred soil pH	5.0 to 6.0	UGA C1003
Full sun needed	At least 6 hours a day	Clemson HGIC 1215
Seeding rate (raw seed)	1/4 to 1/2 lb per 1,000 sq ft	NC State AG-381
Germination	About 28 days (N.C.); 2 to 3 weeks (Fla.)	NC State AG-381; UF/IFAS LH009
Water, growing season	About 1 in a week, rain plus irrigation	UGA C1003
Sod, national farm price	28.27¢ per sq ft (Q2 2026)	USDA AMS
Hardiness range	USDA zones 7a to 10b	NC State Plant Toolbox

What is centipede grass, and where does it grow?

Centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) is a light green warm-season turfgrass from southern China and Southeast Asia that spreads by above-ground stolons and was introduced to the United States in 1916 (UF/IFAS LH009). UF/IFAS rates it low maintenance, with about 50 percent less nitrogen than other Florida lawn grasses, and calls it the most common home lawn grass in the Florida Panhandle.

Its range is the acidic, sandy Southeast. UGA places good centipede lawns from North Carolina south through Georgia and north Florida, then west along the Gulf into Arkansas and Texas (UGA Georgia Turf). NC State lists USDA hardiness zones 7a to 10b and says the grass is grown mostly east of Interstate 95 in North Carolina (NC State Plant Toolbox; NC State AG-381).

The species name comes from its stolons: UT Extension says the plants spread slowly by short, thick, centipede-like runners (UT Extension W159-C). The same source says limited cold hardiness of Common centipedegrass has restricted its use in Tennessee and the northern transition zone, which is why cultivar choice matters in the transition zone. Profiles of the other warm- and cool-season grasses are in our Turf & Trees section.

Sod farms show where it is planted. In North Carolina, 14 of 21 surveyed producers (67 percent) grow centipedegrass, the third most common species (NC State sod report, 2026). In Florida, only three producers, all in north Florida, had it in production in 2024, on 155 acres against 14,157 acres of St. Augustinegrass (UF/IFAS EP658).

Trait	Centipedegrass	Bahiagrass	Bermudagrass	St. Augustinegrass	Zoysiagrass (Z. japonica)
Mowing height (in)	Under 2.0	3.0 to 4.0	0.5 to 2.0	2.0 to 4.0	2.5 or less
Leaf texture	Medium	Medium to coarse	Fine to medium	Medium to coarse	Medium
Drought	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Excellent
Salt	Poor	Poor	Good	Good	Excellent
Shade	Fair	Fair	Poor	Good to excellent	Good to excellent
Wear	Fair	Poor	Excellent	Fair	Excellent
Nematode tolerance	Poor	Excellent	Poor	Good	Good
Maintenance level	Low	Low	Medium to high	Medium	Medium
Establishment	Seed, sod, plugs	Seed, sod	Sod, sprigs, plugs, seed	Sod, plugs	Sod, plugs, seed

What does centipede grass look like?

Centipede grass looks like a low, apple-green mat of medium-textured blades 3 to 5 millimeters wide, smooth, with hairs on the margins toward the base, growing on stolons that root at each node (UF/IFAS LH009). Clemson describes the blades as strongly creased, folded and narrowing to a point, with leaves alternately arranged along the stolon (Clemson HGIC).

The seedhead settles most identification questions. NC State describes a purple, spike-like raceme 3 to 5 inches long, a white midvein and short hairs on the ligule (NC State Plant Toolbox). LSU AgCenter adds that centipedegrass has one slender spike per seedhead, while carpetgrass, its closest look-alike, has several (LSU AgCenter).

Feature	Centipedegrass	St. Augustinegrass	Carpetgrass	Source
Leaf tip	Narrow, pointed, folded blade	Wide, flat, rounded or blunt tip	Not described	Clemson HGIC
Leaf arrangement on stolon	Alternate	Opposite	Not described	Clemson HGIC
Leaf width	3 to 5 mm; under 1/4 in	Wider than most other lawn grasses	Not described	UF/IFAS LH009; UGA
Seedhead	Single slender spike-like raceme, 3 to 5 in, purple	Chunky spike with spikelets embedded in its sides	Multiple spikes per seedhead	NC State; LSU AgCenter
Color	Light, apple green; yellows easily	Green to blue-green	Not described	Clemson HGIC 1215

What are the negatives of centipede grass?

The negatives of centipede grass are poor salt, wear and freeze tolerance, damage from nematodes and ground pearls, natural yellowing from iron chlorosis, and a decline disease that overfeeding makes worse, all listed by UF/IFAS (UF/IFAS LH009). Clemson adds that it needs at least 6 hours of full sun and tolerates neither compaction, high phosphorus, high pH, low potassium nor heavy shade (Clemson HGIC 1215).

• Cold: Alabama Extension calls winter kill erratic, with one lawn lost while a neighbor’s survives; it ties the risk to fertilization, shade, soil type, elevation, mowing height and herbicide use (Alabama Extension).
• Recovery: it does not recover from injury as quickly as other grasses and is less wear tolerant than bermudagrass or zoysiagrass (Alabama Extension).
• Pests with no fix: UF/IFAS says there are no effective control products for ground pearls (UF/IFAS LH009).
• Herbicides: NC State warns it is sensitive to 2,4-D and says to wait three weeks after green-up for postemergence sprays (NC State AG-381).
• Thatch: its stolons are high in lignin, resist decay and build a heavy thatch layer under high nitrogen rates (UF/IFAS LH009).

Which centipede grass varieties can you buy?

Few centipede grass varieties exist because the grass is used in a small region: UF/IFAS lists Common, Covington, Santee and TifBlair as available in Florida (UF/IFAS LH009). Clemson names Centennial, Oaklawn, Covington, Santee, TennTurf and TifBlair as improved cultivars and says only TifBlair is available as seed among them (Clemson HGIC 1209). Common seed is also sold.

Cultivar	Released by, year	Sold as	Distinguishing trait	Source
Common	Unimproved population; no single release	Seed, sod, plugs	Slow, prostrate growth; most widely planted	UF/IFAS LH009; UGA C1003
Chinese Red Stem (PI 72260)	First commercial strain in the U.S.	Seed (in Common mixes)	Red-stemmed strains usually more cold tolerant	UT W159-C
Oklawn (Clemson spells it Oaklawn)	Oklahoma State AES, 1965	Plugs, sprigs, sod	Bluish-green; heat, drought, insect and disease tolerant	UT W159-C
AU Centennial	Auburn University, 1983	Vegetative only	Dwarf; better color, density, cold and alkaline-soil tolerance	UT W159-C; Clemson
TennTurf (formerly Tennessee Hardy)	University of Tennessee, 1997	Stolons, plugs, sod	Very cold hardy; suits pH 4.5 to 5.5 and 1 lb N a year	UT W159-C
TifBlair	USDA-ARS and UGA, Tifton, Ga., 1997	Seed and sod (certified)	Better cold tolerance, low-pH tolerance and growth rate than Common	USDA-ARS; UT W159-C
Santee	Sod Solutions, proprietary	Sod	Clemson: for the lower third of South Carolina	Clemson HGIC 1209; UF/IFAS
Covington	Sod Solutions, proprietary	Sod	Emerald green; stays green several weeks longer in fall (UF)	UF/IFAS LH009; Clemson

Is TifBlair better than common centipede grass?

TifBlair is the better pick where winters are cold: USDA-ARS says it improves on Common in cold tolerance, tolerance of low soil pH and growth rate (USDA-ARS Tifton). UGA calls it the only certified centipedegrass cultivar, and Alabama Extension says its cold tolerance may make it perform better in the transition zone of northern Alabama (UGA C1003; Alabama Extension).

It was bred by irradiating Common seed with 10,000 rads of cobalt-60 gamma radiation for four cycles, planting it at Blairsville, Ga., and harvesting seed from plants that survived the 1980 to 1984 winters (USDA-ARS). Registration dates to 1997, but ARS expected seed in early 2000 and sod in 2001. Its licensee, The Turfgrass Group, markets it for USDA zone 7 and recommends 1 to 2 lb of nitrogen a year (The Turfgrass Group).

The trade-off is price. In October 2026, a 1 lb bag of TifBlair seed cost $59.99 to $67.70, against $45.00 a pound for Common raw seed in a 2 lb bag (Hancock Seed; Seed Barn; Hancock Seed, raw). Per pound, TifBlair runs about 33 to 50 percent more.

Should you plant centipede grass from seed, sod or plugs?

Plant centipede grass from sod for an instant lawn, or from seed if you can wait: seeding is cheap but slow, with germination in about 28 days and up to three years to a uniform lawn (NC State AG-381). UF/IFAS says sod establishes faster and resists stress better, while plugs and sprigs leave bare soil that weeds take over (UF/IFAS LH009).

Method	Rate	When	Time to cover	Source
Seed	1/4 to 1/2 lb per 1,000 sq ft (Clemson, NC State, Alabama); 4 oz (UF)	April to July; fall seeding undesirable	Germinates in 2 to 3 weeks (UF) or 28 days (NC); up to 3 years to a dense lawn	NC State AG-381; UF/IFAS LH009
Sod	Pieces fitted tightly, rolled, watered	May for repairs (Clemson)	Mow after 2 to 3 weeks, once it resists a tug	UF/IFAS LH009; Clemson
Plugs	About 1 ft apart	After all risk of hard freeze (seller)	Slow; weeds fill gaps first	LSU AgCenter; Hancock; UF/IFAS
Sprigs	5 bushels per 1,000 sq ft (Clemson) or 3/4 bushel (NC State)	May	Slow	Clemson HGIC 1215; NC State AG-381

Whether sod is worth the premium on your lot, given that centipede seed needs about 28 days just to germinate, is the subject of our sod vs seed comparison.

How do you plant centipede grass seed?

Plant centipede grass seed in a soil-tested, tilled seedbed between April and July, at 1/4 to 1/2 lb of raw seed per 1,000 sq ft mixed with sand, then keep the surface moist for about 28 days (NC State AG-381; Alabama Extension). UF/IFAS asks for seed of 90 percent purity or better and at least 85 percent germination (UF/IFAS LH009).

1. Test the soil. If pH is above 6.5, UF/IFAS says wettable sulfur at 10 lb per 1,000 sq ft lowers some Florida soils by about 1 pH unit; never exceed 10 lb per application, wait 60 days between, and water in with 1 inch (UF/IFAS LH009).
2. Clear debris and till to a crumbly seedbed. Seed Barn’s TifBlair directions work in 10 lb of 5-10-15 per 1,000 sq ft at this step (Seed Barn).
3. Weigh the seed: 1/4 to 1/2 lb of raw seed per 1,000 sq ft. Mix 1 lb of seed with 20 lb of dry sand, per Alabama Extension, or with 2 gallons of fine sand per 1,000 sq ft, per NC State (Alabama Extension; NC State AG-381).
4. Spread half the mix in one direction and half at right angles (Alabama Extension). Rake it 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep (Hancock Seed).
5. Mulch lightly with weed-free straw so 50 to 75 percent of bare ground is covered (UF/IFAS LH009).
6. Water lightly several times a day for 28 days (NC State AG-381). After germination, water less often but more deeply (UF/IFAS LH009).
7. Expect the stand to need 6 to 8 weeks after germination to establish in Florida (UF/IFAS LH009), and up to three years to become dense in North Carolina.

Why do seed bags say 1 to 2 lb when extension says 1/4 lb?

Seed bags often list 1 to 2 lb per 1,000 sq ft because many are coated: Hancock says its coated centipede seed is about 50 percent coating by weight, and UF/IFAS warns coated seed needs more product for the same seed count (Hancock Seed; UF/IFAS LH009). Hancock lists the same 1 to 2 lb rate for its raw seed, which is two to eight times the 1/4 to 1/2 lb extension rate.

1. UF/IFAS0.25
2. Super-Sod0.25
3. Clemson0.50
4. NC State0.50
5. Alabama Ext.0.50
6. Hancock TifBlair0.50
7. Seed Barn1
8. Outsidepride1
9. Hancock coated2
10. Hancock raw2
11. Pennington2.50

Source: UF/IFAS LH009; Clemson HGIC 1215; NC State AG-381; Alabama Extension; seller product pages checked Oct. 19, 2026 Seller rates include coating or mulch weight where stated. Extension rates are for seed without coating.

Show the numbers

	lb per 1,000 sq ft (top of stated range)
UF/IFAS	0.25
Super-Sod	0.25
Clemson	0.50
NC State	0.50
Alabama Ext.	0.50
Hancock TifBlair	0.50
Seed Barn	1
Outsidepride	1
Hancock coated	2
Hancock raw	2
Pennington	2.50

Source	Seed type	Stated rate per 1,000 sq ft	Highest rate (lb)
UF/IFAS LH009	Not specified	4 oz	0.25
Super-Sod	TifBlair	1 lb covers up to 4,000 sq ft	0.25
Clemson HGIC 1215	Not specified	1/4 to 1/2 lb	0.5
NC State AG-381	Not specified	1/4 to 1/2 lb	0.5
Alabama Extension	Not specified	1/4 to 1/2 lb	0.5
Hancock Seed	TifBlair, coated	1 lb per 2,000 sq ft	0.5
Seed Barn	TifBlair, certified	1/2 lb; up to 1 lb for faster grow-in	1.0
Outsidepride	Common	1/2 to 1 lb	1.0
Hancock Seed	Common, coated (about 50% coating)	1 to 2 lb	2.0
Hancock Seed	Common, raw	1 to 2 lb	2.0
Pennington	TifBlair Penkoted seed and mulch	2.5 lb of product	2.5

In practice, weigh pure live seed, not bag weight. Half a pound of coated seed that is 50 percent coating holds about 1/4 lb of seed, the bottom of the extension range, so the Hancock coated rate of 1 to 2 lb equals roughly 1/2 to 1 lb of raw seed. That is still up to twice the 1/2 lb ceiling that Clemson, NC State and Alabama Extension publish.

How much does centipede grass cost?

Centipede grass sod averaged 28.27 cents per sq ft at the farm nationally in April to June 2026, in a range of 27 to 35 cents, before delivery (USDA AMS). North Carolina farms averaged 38 cents on the farm and 43 cents delivered in 2026 (NC State sod report). Raw seed ran $30.00 to $45.00 a pound and TifBlair $45.67 to $67.70 in October 2026.

1. Centipedegrass28.27
2. Bermudagrass38.04
3. Zoysiagrass52.32
4. St. Augustinegrass54.25

Source: USDA AMS National Quarterly Sod Report, Q2 2026 Free on board at the farm, before delivery; 13 producers reporting.

Show the numbers

	Weighted average trade price (cents per sq ft)
Centipedegrass	28.27
Bermudagrass	38.04
Zoysiagrass	52.32
St. Augustinegrass	54.25

Swipe the table sideways to see every column.

Item	Price	Unit price	Source, date
Centipede sod, U.S. farm (trade)	27¢ to 35¢ per sq ft	28.27¢ weighted average	USDA AMS, Q2 2026
Bermudagrass sod, U.S. farm (trade)	23¢ to 72¢	38.04¢	USDA AMS, Q2 2026
Zoysiagrass sod, U.S. farm (trade)	51¢ to 78¢	52.32¢	USDA AMS, Q2 2026
St. Augustinegrass sod, U.S. farm (trade)	52¢ to 85¢	54.25¢	USDA AMS, Q2 2026
Centipede sod, N.C. on farm	25¢ to 62¢	38¢ average	NC State, 2026
Centipede sod, N.C. delivered	30¢ to 67¢	43¢ average	NC State, 2026
Centipede sod, north Florida farm	n/a	32¢	UF/IFAS EP658, 2024
Centipede sod, pallet (about 450 sq ft)	$215	About 48¢	Panhandle Palm & Rock, Oct. 19, 2026
TifBlair sod, retail store price	$1.00 to $1.18 per sq ft	Varies by store	Super-Sod, Oct. 19, 2026
Common seed, coated	$58.99 (2 lb) to $834.99 (50 lb)	$29.50 to $16.70 per lb	Hancock Seed, Oct. 19, 2026
Common seed, raw	$89.99 (2 lb) to $1,499.99 (50 lb)	$45.00 to $30.00 per lb	Hancock Seed, Oct. 19, 2026
TifBlair seed	$59.99 (1 lb) to $1,499.99 (30 lb)	$59.99 to $50.00 per lb	Hancock Seed, Oct. 19, 2026
TifBlair seed, certified	$67.70 (1 lb) to $1,370.00 (30 lb)	$67.70 to $45.67 per lb	Seed Barn, Oct. 19, 2026
TifBlair seed	$66.95 (1 lb); $324.95 (5 lb)	$66.95 to $64.99 per lb	Super-Sod, Oct. 19, 2026
Centipede plugs	$44.99 (16) to $109.99 (64)	$2.81 to $1.72 per plug	Hancock Seed, Oct. 19, 2026

Those are material prices only; the USDA figure is a trade price before delivery charges of 5 to 12 cents per sq ft. Installed sod adds site prep, delivery and labor, which our sod installation cost guide prices per square foot from the same USDA report. Per-pound prices for every lawn species are compiled in our grass seed cost guide.

What does it cost to plant a 5,000 sq ft centipede lawn?

Planting a 5,000 sq ft centipede lawn costs about $90 to $325 in seed or about $1,400 to $5,900 in sod at October 2026 prices, before labor; plugs on 12-inch centers cost more than either at about $8,700. The table shows each input: rate, quantity, the bag or pallet you would actually buy and the dated price behind it.

1. Common raw seed89.99
2. Common coated seed129.99
3. TifBlair seed179.97
4. Sod, USDA farm price1,413.50
5. Sod, N.C. delivered2,150
6. Sod, retail store5,000
7. Plugs, 12 in centers8,689.21

Source: Green Industry Report arithmetic from USDA AMS Q2 2026, NC State 2026 and seller prices checked Oct. 19, 2026 Low end of each range. Excludes prep, labor and tax.

Show the numbers

	Dollars, before labor
Common raw seed	89.99
Common coated seed	129.99
TifBlair seed	179.97
Sod, USDA farm price	1,413.50
Sod, N.C. delivered	2,150
Sod, retail store	5,000
Plugs, 12 in centers	8,689.21

Method	Rate or unit (source)	Quantity for 5,000 sq ft	Buy	Material cost
Common raw seed	1/4 to 1/2 lb per 1,000 sq ft (NC State)	1.25 to 2.5 lb	One 2 lb bag ($89.99) or one 5 lb bag ($196.99)	$89.99 to $196.99
Common coated seed	1 to 2 lb per 1,000 sq ft (Hancock label)	5 to 10 lb	5 lb ($129.99) or 10 lb ($204.99)	$129.99 to $204.99
TifBlair seed	1/2 lb per 1,000 sq ft (Seed Barn, Hancock)	2.5 lb	Three 1 lb bags at $59.99, or a 5 lb bag ($247.77 to $324.95)	$179.97 to $324.95
Sod at USDA farm price	28.27¢ per sq ft (USDA AMS)	5,000 sq ft	Trade price before delivery	$1,413.50
Sod delivered, N.C. average	43¢ per sq ft (NC State)	5,000 sq ft	Delivered within about 100 miles	$2,150.00
Sod by the pallet, Florida	$215 per pallet of about 450 sq ft	11.1 pallets	12 pallets	$2,580.00
TifBlair sod, retail	$1.00 to $1.18 per sq ft (Super-Sod)	5,000 sq ft	Store pickup	$5,000 to $5,900
Plugs on 12 in centers	1 plug per sq ft (LSU spacing)	5,000 plugs	79 packs of 64 at $109.99	$8,689.21

Seed wins on material cost by a factor of about 7 to 65, which is why UF/IFAS calls seeding’s up-front cost low (UF/IFAS LH009). What seed costs instead is time: a season or more of weeding and daily watering before the lawn closes, against a sodded lawn you can mow after 2 to 3 weeks.

How high should you mow centipede grass?

Mow centipede grass at 1 to 2 inches and never let it pass 2.5 inches, the range in NC State’s and Clemson’s calendars (NC State AG-381; Clemson HGIC 1215). UGA and Alabama Extension go lower, at 1 to 1.5 inches, and Clemson suggests 2 inches in partial shade. Remove no more than a third of the blade at once (UGA C1003).

Source	Recommended height	Added rule
NC State AG-381	1 to 2 in	Never taller than 2.5 in; never burn off debris
Clemson HGIC 1215	1 to 2 in	2 in in partial shade; about 1 in just before spring green-up; 2 in once nights fall below 70°F
Clemson HGIC 1209	1.5 to 2 in	Older Clemson fact sheet, revised 2016
UGA C1003	1.0 to 1.5 in	Raise 1/4 to 1/2 in during heat or before winter
Alabama Extension	1 to 1.5 in	Repeated mowing below 1 in thins the lawn
LSU AgCenter	1 to 2 in	At 1 in, mow before it passes 1.5 in
UF/IFAS LH009	1.5 to 2.5 in (text); under 2.0 in (Table 1)	Mow every 7 to 14 days in active growth
NC Extension, Pender County	About 1 in, no higher than 2 in	High-mown lawns are more prone to cold damage
Scotts; Pennington	1.5 to 2 in	Retail guides

Why lower is safer: mowing too high and too seldom lets thatch build up, and thatch-raised stolons are more exposed to cold and drought, according to Alabama Extension and UGA (Alabama Extension; UGA C1003). During heat or drought stress, Clemson says to raise the deck 1/2 to 1 inch until the stress passes (Clemson HGIC 1215).

Should you dethatch or aerate centipede grass?

Dethatch centipede grass only when thatch passes 1/4 inch (Clemson HGIC 1215) or 1/2 inch (NC State AG-381 and Clemson HGIC 1209), using 2 to 3 inch blade spacing set 1/4 inch deep; a 1 inch spacing can severely injure it (Clemson HGIC 1215; NC State AG-381). UGA warns centipede tolerates vertical mowing less than other warm-season grasses (UGA C1003).

Timing is late May in North Carolina, after full green-up, and core aeration can be combined with it once frost risk has passed (NC State AG-381; Clemson HGIC 1215). If a preemergent went down in late February to mid-March, Clemson says to postpone soil disturbance until just before the next preemergent. Machine rental and contractor prices for the job are in our dethatching cost guide.

How much fertilizer does centipede grass need?

Centipede grass needs 1 to 2 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft a year, the higher rate on sandy soil and the lower on clay, and more than 2 lb builds thatch and invites disease (Clemson HGIC 1215). UGA says 1 lb is ample for most established lawns, split into three 1/3 lb or four 1/4 lb feedings (UGA C1003). Skip phosphorus unless a soil test calls for it.

1. Clemson1
2. UGA1
3. NC State1
4. UF/IFAS (north Fla.)0.40
5. UF/IFAS (central, south Fla.)0.40
6. LSU AgCenter0

Source: Clemson HGIC 1215; UGA C1003; NC State AG-381; UF/IFAS LH009 Table 2; LSU AgCenter UGA's high end applies to sandy soils in high-rainfall areas; NC State's second pound is optional.

Show the numbers

	Low end (lb N per 1,000 sq ft a year)	High end (lb N per 1,000 sq ft a year)
Clemson	1	2
UGA	1	2
NC State	1	2
UF/IFAS (north Fla.)	0.40	2
UF/IFAS (central, south Fla.)	0.40	3
LSU AgCenter	0	1

Source	Nitrogen, lb per 1,000 sq ft a year	Low	High	Timing rule
Clemson HGIC 1215	1 to 2	1	2	Early May after full green-up; last before Aug. 15 (Upstate) or Sept. 1 (coast)
UGA C1003	1; up to 2 on sandy soil in high rainfall	1	2	Not until soil at 4 in is consistently 65°F
NC State AG-381	1 in mid-May; optional 1 in mid-August	1	2	No nitrogen before mid-May
UF/IFAS LH009	0.4 to 2 (north Fla.); 0.4 to 3 (central and south Fla.)	0.4	3	Not before April 15 in north Florida; last by mid-September
LSU AgCenter	Up to 1	0	1	Midspring to midsummer; 1 lb per application at most
Clemson HGIC 1209	0 to 2	0	2	Older Clemson fact sheet
The Turfgrass Group (TifBlair)	1 to 2	1	2	During the growing season

Timing matters as much as the rate. Fertilizing early pushes growth that a late frost can burn back, and Clemson notes centipede often greens up and is frosted back several times in spring (Clemson HGIC 1215). For a single feeding, LSU AgCenter suggests 1 lb of nitrogen from a slow-release product in April (LSU AgCenter).

What is the best fertilizer for centipede grass?

The best fertilizer for centipede grass has little or no phosphorus and plenty of potassium, such as the 15-0-15 Clemson names for the late-summer feeding (Clemson HGIC 1215). NC State suggests 5-5-15 or 8-8-24, or a phosphorus-free 15-0-14 or 8-0-24 where soil tests show moderate to high phosphorus (NC State AG-381). Rate matters more than brand.

To find pounds of product, Clemson and NC State divide 50 by the first number on the bag for 1/2 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, or 100 for 1 lb (Clemson HGIC 1215; NC State AG-381). The table runs that arithmetic for bags centipede owners are told to buy.

Product (N-P-K)	Who names it	Product per 1,000 sq ft	Nitrogen delivered	Also delivers
15-0-15	Clemson HGIC 1215	3.3 lb (50 / 15)	0.5 lb	0.5 lb potash
5-0-15	Pender County Extension	10 lb	0.5 lb	1.5 lb potash
5-5-15	NC State AG-381	10 lb (50 / 5)	0.5 lb	0.5 lb phosphate, 1.5 lb potash
16-0-8, slow release	LSU AgCenter	6.3 lb (100 / 16)	1 lb	0.5 lb potash
33-0-0	LSU AgCenter	1.5 lb	0.5 lb	Nothing else
32-0-5	Pennington guide	1.6 lb (50 / 32)	0.5 lb	0.08 lb potash
10-10-10	Asked in search results	5 lb (50 / 10)	0.5 lb	0.5 lb phosphate, which Clemson says to skip without a soil test
15-0-4 centipede weed and feed	Hancock Seed label rate	6.4 lb (32 lb per 5,000 sq ft)	0.96 lb	0.26 lb potash plus herbicide
0-0-60 muriate of potash	Clemson HGIC 1215	1.6 lb	None	About 1 lb potash, 4 to 6 weeks before first frost

The weed-and-feed line shows the trap: one bag at the label rate puts down 0.96 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, nearly the 1 lb a year that UGA calls ample, in a single pass (Hancock Seed; UGA C1003). LSU AgCenter also warns that repeated use of 8-8-8 or 13-13-13 builds up phosphorus that harms centipede lawns (LSU AgCenter).

Why is my centipede grass turning yellow?

Yellow centipede grass usually means iron chlorosis, caused by soil pH above 6.0 to 6.5, excess phosphorus, or cool spring nights that slow root uptake while warm days push leaves (UF/IFAS LH009; UGA C1003). Spraying 2 oz of ferrous sulfate in 3 to 5 gallons of water per 1,000 sq ft restores color; NC State says within 24 hours (Clemson HGIC 1215; NC State AG-381).

Iron is a cosmetic fix, not a cure. UGA says applications darken the grass only temporarily and may be needed every two to four weeks, and UF/IFAS says iron is no substitute for nitrogen (UGA C1003; UF/IFAS LH009). For high pH, Clemson allows no more than 5 lb of pelletized sulfur per 1,000 sq ft per application, only below 80°F, and 10 lb a year at most (Clemson HGIC 1215).

Soil pH reading	What it means for centipede	Action	Source
Below 5.0	Below the preferred range; rare	Lime only if the soil test says so	LSU AgCenter
5.0 to 6.0	Preferred range	No change	UGA C1003; LSU
6.0 to 6.5	Iron availability starts to fall	Watch spring color; iron spray as needed	UGA C1003; Alabama
Above 6.5	Iron chlorosis likely	Sulfur at no more than 5 lb (pelletized) per 1,000 sq ft per application	Clemson HGIC 1215; UF/IFAS
6.5 to 7.0 and up	Severe chlorosis possible	Consider another grass	UF/IFAS LH009

How much water does centipede grass need?

Established centipede grass needs about 1 inch of water a week from rain plus irrigation, applied to wet the soil 5 to 7 inches deep, ideally before sunrise (UGA C1003). On sandy soil, NC State suggests 1/2 inch every third day when rain falls short (NC State AG-381). Water when the lawn turns bluish or footprints stay flat (Clemson HGIC 1215).

UF/IFAS rates its drought tolerance good: it goes dormant and brown without water and usually recovers soon after rain (UF/IFAS LH009). Clemson lists drought among the stresses it does not tolerate, and Pennington notes its roots are shallow (Clemson HGIC 1215; Pennington). In dry winters, Clemson says to water if no measurable rain falls for 3 to 4 weeks, especially before lows in the low 20s °F.

New sod and plugs need a stepped schedule, which UF/IFAS spells out (UF/IFAS LH009):

1. Days 1 to 10: 2 to 3 brief waterings a day, 5 to 10 minutes each.
2. Next 7 to 10 days: once a day, 1/4 inch.
3. Following week: every other day, 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
4. From about day 30: a normal maintenance schedule of 1/2 to 3/4 inch per watering, as needed.

Clock times and run lengths for each zone type are in our guide to the best time to water your lawn.

What causes centipede grass decline, and can you fix it?

Centipede grass decline is a spring die-back of yellow or dead patches in lawns a few years old, tied to the fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis and made worse by high nitrogen, pH above 6.5, thatch, scalping and stressed roots (UF/IFAS LH009). No fungicide controls it, says Alabama Extension; management prevents it (Alabama Extension).

What you see (UGA diagnostic question)	Likely cause	What to do	Source
Yellowing as it greens up in spring or goes dormant in fall	High pH or phosphorus; iron deficiency	Soil test; sulfur if pH is high; iron spray for color	UGA C1003
Lawn stayed dark green most of last season	Too much nitrogen	Cut to 1 lb N a year	UGA C1003
Turf lifts easily when you pull a stolon	Poor roots: thatch, compaction, drought or nematodes	Dethatch, core aerate, test for nematodes	UGA C1003
Hard to push a screwdriver into the soil	Compaction	Core aerate after green-up	UGA C1003
Blades dull green and curled in dry weather	Drought stress	Deep watering to 1 in a week	UGA C1003
Rings or semicircles of dying grass in summer	Fairy ring fungi	Have a sample diagnosed	UGA C1003
Circular patches in spring or fall	Large patch (brown patch)	Fall fungicide; fix drainage and thatch	UGA C1003; Pender
Soft, fluffy turf full of tunnels	Moles or mole crickets	Identify the pest before treating	UGA C1003

To prevent or correct decline, UGA lists the same short program: prepare soil from a soil test, hold nitrogen to about 1 lb a year, mow at 1 to 1.5 inches, control thatch, and irrigate during drought, particularly in fall (UGA C1003). UF/IFAS adds a soil pH check and nematode and disease sampling through the county Extension office (UF/IFAS LH009).

Which pests and diseases hit centipede grass hardest?

Ground pearls and nematodes hit centipede grass hardest, because neither has a dependable chemical fix and centipede’s low vigor makes it the most severely damaged warm-season grass (Pender County Extension). Large patch is the most common disease in the growing season, Clemson says, while mole crickets, white grubs and spittlebugs cause summer insect damage (Clemson HGIC 1215).

Problem	Sign	Threshold or timing	Control	Source
Ground pearls (scale insect)	Yellow then dead patches growing about 1 ft in diameter a year; tan pearls in the soil at the edge	Any confirmed	None effective; replant with shrubs or trees, or zoysiagrass	Pender County; UF/IFAS
Nematodes (ring, sting)	Severe wilt even when watered	Lab assay of soil from the patch margin	Less nitrogen, deep and infrequent watering, adequate potassium	UF/IFAS LH009; Alabama
Large patch	Circles 2 to 3 ft across in spring that can pass 10 ft in weeks	Preventive spray when soil falls to 70°F or below, late Sept. to early Oct.	Fungicides with azoxystrobin or triadimefon, per label	Pender County; Clemson
White grubs	Turf peels back like carpet	More than 6 grubs per square foot	Labeled grub insecticide; preventive in June	Clemson HGIC 1215; NC State
Mole crickets	Tunnels, soft turf	Nymphs hatch midsummer	Insecticide in mid-July aimed at small nymphs	Clemson HGIC 1215
Two-lined spittlebug, sod webworms, caterpillars	Browning, chewed blades	Scout in summer	Identify, then a labeled insecticide	Clemson; UF/IFAS
Dollar spot	Small straw-colored spots	Sporadic	Balanced nutrition; fungicide if needed	UF/IFAS LH009

This page is general information, not pesticide advice. The label is the law: confirm that any herbicide, insecticide or fungicide lists centipedegrass, follow its rate, temperature and reentry rules, and check your state’s rules before you apply.

Which weed killers are safe on centipede grass?

Weed killers labeled for centipede grass include sethoxydim for crabgrass, goosegrass and sandspurs, imazaquin for sedges, and atrazine or simazine in November or December for annual bluegrass and winter broadleaf weeds (Clemson HGIC 1215; NC State AG-381). Use 2,4-D mixes with caution and at reduced rates, and spray nothing above 90°F.

Which straight 2,4-D labels warn on centipede, St. Augustine and carpetgrass is set out grass by grass in our answer to does 2,4-D kill grass.

For crabgrass that is already up, Tenacity and Pylex both list centipedegrass while every quinclorac label bars it; our comparison of crabgrass killers that won’t kill grass sets 9 labels side by side.

Active ingredient (example brand)	Targets in centipede	When	Limit or caution	Source
Preemergents labeled for centipede	Crabgrass, goosegrass, foxtail, sandspurs	Mid-Feb. (coast) to mid-March (piedmont); by March 1 in N.C.; repeat in 8 to 10 weeks	Do not use on dead or declining areas	Clemson; NC State; Pender
Sethoxydim (Segment)	Crabgrass, goosegrass, sandspurs, bahiagrass	Summer, active growth	Resistant crabgrass and goosegrass confirmed in Georgia	Clemson; UGA B1462; UGA Tattnall
Topramezone (Pylex)	Sethoxydim-resistant crabgrass and goosegrass	1 or 2 applications, 2 to 3 weeks apart	Foliar bleaching; crop oil adjuvant	UGA B1462
Mesotrione (Tenacity)	Crabgrass; seedling goosegrass only	2 applications, 3 weeks apart	Does not control mature goosegrass	UGA B1462
Metsulfuron methyl (Manor, Blade)	Bahiagrass, lespedeza	0.25 to 0.5 oz product per acre	Calibrated sprayer; nonionic surfactant	UGA Tattnall
Imazaquin	Sedges (nutgrass)	Summer	Label rate	Clemson HGIC 1215
Atrazine or simazine	Annual bluegrass, winter broadleaf weeds	November or December	Label rate	NC State AG-381
2,4-D + dicamba + mecoprop (three-way)	Spurge, lespedeza, chickweed, henbit	3 weeks after green-up; repeat in 10 to 14 days if needed	Centipede is sensitive; reduced rates	Clemson; NC State
Oxadiazon (Ronstar)	None: not for centipede	n/a	Labeled for most warm- and cool-season turf except centipedegrass	UGA B1462

Clemson adds three handling rules: apply only when grass and weeds are actively growing and not drought stressed, do not mow 3 days before or 2 days after a spray, and wait until spring green-up is complete before any postemergent (Clemson HGIC 1215). Common invaders listed by UF/IFAS are crabgrass, goosegrass, dallisgrass, annual bluegrass and torpedograss, plus dandelion, clover, pennywort, betony, oxalis and henbit (UF/IFAS LH009).

A thick centipede stand is itself the cheapest weed control: Alabama Extension says an established lawn crowds out many weeds, while new and thin stands are easily invaded (Alabama Extension).

Should you use weed and feed on centipede grass?

Most extension sources say no. Pender County Extension tells centipede owners to avoid weed and feed because the herbicides can damage the grass and the timing for weed control is the wrong time to fertilize (Pender County Extension). Hancock’s own seeding directions say not to use a weed-and-feed product on new seedings (Hancock Seed).

Retail guides disagree: Pennington and Scotts recommend a weed and feed labeled for centipede after green-up, with Scotts saying to wait until the third or fourth mowing (Pennington; Scotts). If you use one, check the nitrogen math first. At the label rate, Hancock’s 15-0-4 product delivers 0.96 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft in one pass (Hancock Seed).

When should you do each job on a centipede lawn?

A centipede grass year runs on soil temperature, not the calendar: preemergent by March 1, mowing low before green-up, the only main feeding in mid-May, an optional one in mid-August, potash 4 to 6 weeks before frost, and nothing but weed control and occasional water in winter (NC State AG-381; Clemson HGIC 1215). Shift dates two to four weeks earlier on the Gulf.

Month	Mowing	Feeding	Weeds and pests	Source
January to February	1 to 2 in to clear debris; never burn	None; soil test now	Preemergent mid-February on the coast	Clemson HGIC 1215
March to April	Lower to about 1 in just before green-up (late April to early May)	No nitrogen	Preemergent by March 1 (N.C.), mid-March (piedmont)	NC State AG-381; Clemson
May	1 to 2 in; dethatch late May if over 1/2 in	1 lb N in mid-May; 1/2 to 1 lb (Clemson)	Postemergent 3 weeks after green-up; replant bare spots	NC State AG-381
June to July	1 to 2 in; raise in heat or drought	Iron for color only	Grub preventive in June; mole cricket and grub nymphs mid-July	NC State; Clemson
August	1 to 2 in	Optional 1/2 to 1 lb N with high potassium, before Aug. 15 (Upstate S.C.) or Sept. 1 (coast)	Spot-treat broadleaf weeds	Clemson HGIC 1215; NC State
September to October	Raise to about 2 in once nights fall below 70°F	1 lb potash 4 to 6 weeks before first frost; no nitrogen	Winter preemergent in September; large patch fungicide when soil drops to 70°F	Clemson HGIC 1215
November to December	Mow to remove leaves	None	Atrazine or simazine for annual bluegrass	NC State AG-381

A month-by-month plan for every lawn type is in our lawn care schedule. Centipede’s simplest rule from both calendars: no nitrogen before mid-May, no nitrogen after early September.

What do popular centipede grass guides get wrong?

Popular centipede grass guides most often get four things wrong against land-grant sources: mowing height, the date of the first feeding, seeding rate and weed-and-feed advice. The table sets each retail claim next to the primary source, with links to both, as published in October 2026. Retail figures are shown exactly as published on each page.

Topic	What several guides say	What the primary source says	Primary source
Mowing height	1 1/2 to 2 in (Pennington; Scotts; Super-Sod)	1 to 1.5 in (UGA, Alabama); 1 to 2 in (NC State, Clemson); higher mowing raises cold injury risk (Pender)	UGA C1003; NC State AG-381
First feeding	Feed in early spring with a crabgrass preventer, before soil reaches 55°F (Pennington)	No nitrogen before mid-May (N.C.) or until soil at 4 in holds 65°F (Ga.); early feeding raises frost damage	NC State AG-381; UGA C1003
Seeding rate	1 to 2 lb per 1,000 sq ft, raw or coated (Hancock); 2.5 lb seed and mulch (Pennington)	1/4 to 1/2 lb per 1,000 sq ft; 4 oz in Florida	NC State AG-381; UF/IFAS LH009
Weed and feed	Use one approved for centipede (Pennington; Scotts)	Avoid: herbicide injury and wrong fertilizer timing	Pender County Extension
Sunlight	Tolerates moderate shade with 4 hours of full sun (Outsidepride)	Needs at least 6 hours of full sun	Clemson HGIC 1215; Alabama
Drought	Shallow rooted with poor drought tolerance (Wikipedia)	Good drought tolerance by going dormant (UF); does not tolerate drought (Clemson). The sources split	UF/IFAS LH009; Clemson HGIC 1215
Fertilizer product	32-0-5 full-season feed (Pennington)	Low or no phosphorus with high potassium, such as 15-0-15; 1 to 2 lb N a year in total	Clemson HGIC 1215

Is centipede grass better than St. Augustine, bermuda or zoysia?

Centipede grass beats St. Augustine, bermuda and zoysia on cost and upkeep: NC State says it has the lowest nitrogen needs of the common turfgrasses and needs infrequent mowing, and its sod is cheapest at 28.27 cents a sq ft (NC State AG-381; USDA AMS). It loses on wear, salt, shade and cold. UF/IFAS rates its wear tolerance fair against excellent for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass (UF/IFAS LH009).

Criterion	Centipedegrass	St. Augustinegrass	Bermudagrass	Zoysiagrass	Bahiagrass	Source
Sod, U.S. farm price, Q2 2026	28.27¢	54.25¢	38.04¢	52.32¢	Not reported	USDA AMS
Sod, N.C. farm price, 2026	38¢	60¢	41¢	59¢	Not reported	NC State
Mowing height (in)	Under 2.0	2.0 to 4.0	0.5 to 2.0	2.5 or less	3.0 to 4.0	UF/IFAS LH009
Shade	Fair	Good to excellent	Poor	Good to excellent	Fair	UF/IFAS LH009
Wear / recovery	Fair / fair	Fair / good	Excellent / excellent	Excellent / fair	Poor / poor	UF/IFAS LH009
Salt	Poor	Good	Good	Excellent	Poor	UF/IFAS LH009
Maintenance	Low	Medium	Medium to high	Medium	Low	UF/IFAS LH009
Grown from seed	Yes	No	Yes (common types)	Some Z. japonica	Yes	UF/IFAS LH009

Full profiles of the alternatives: St. Augustine grass for shade and coastal salt, bermuda grass for sun and traffic, and zoysia grass for wear with less mowing than bermuda. Bahiagrass, rated low maintenance like centipede, tolerates nematodes far better on Florida’s deep sands, per UF/IFAS Table 1.

Can you mix centipede with bermuda or St. Augustine?

Mixing centipede grass with bermuda or St. Augustine rarely works, because the grasses need different mowing heights and feeding: bermudagrass mows at 0.5 to 2.0 inches and St. Augustinegrass at 2.0 to 4.0, against under 2.0 for centipede (UF/IFAS LH009). UF/IFAS rates bermudagrass medium to high maintenance against low for centipede, so one feeding program overfeeds one grass or starves the other.

Overseeding with ryegrass for winter color is also discouraged. Pennington says the competition can weaken centipede’s roots and cause the grass to fail, and Scotts says most centipede lawns are better left dormant (Pennington; Scotts). To fill thin spots instead, NC State says to replant bare areas in May with seed or sprigs, and UF/IFAS warns that reseeding patches in an established lawn usually needs hand watering.

Should you plant centipede grass? A decision table

Plant centipede grass if your soil is acidic, the lawn gets 6 or more hours of sun, traffic is light and you want to feed it once or twice a year. Choose another grass if soil pH sits above 6.5, the yard is shaded, salty or heavily used, or winters regularly kill Common centipede (Clemson HGIC 1215; UF/IFAS LH009).

If your situation is	Do this	Why (source)
Soil pH above 6.5 and cannot be lowered	Plant a different grass	Severe iron chlorosis above pH 6.5 to 7.0; UF/IFAS says centipede may not be appropriate (UF/IFAS LH009)
Soil pH 6.0 to 6.5	Plant, but test yearly and apply sulfur at 5 lb or less per 1,000 sq ft per pass	Iron availability falls above 6.0 (UGA C1003; Clemson)
Under 6 hours of direct sun	Choose St. Augustinegrass or zoysiagrass	Centipede needs at least 6 hours (Clemson HGIC 1215)
Daily play or dog traffic	Choose bermudagrass or zoysiagrass	Centipede wear tolerance rated fair; bermuda and zoysia excellent (UF/IFAS LH009)
Oceanfront or salt spray	Choose zoysiagrass or St. Augustinegrass	Centipede salt tolerance rated poor (UF/IFAS LH009)
Zone 7, upper South or high elevation	Plant TifBlair or TennTurf, not Common	Improved cold tolerance (USDA-ARS; UT W159-C)
Ground pearls confirmed in the soil	Do not replant centipede; use shrubs, trees or zoysiagrass	No effective control (Pender County Extension)
Deep sand in south Florida	Pick bahiagrass or St. Augustinegrass	Nematodes historically limited centipede there (UF/IFAS LH009)
Big lawn, tight budget, April to July	Seed at 1/4 to 1/2 lb per 1,000 sq ft	About $90 to $325 of seed for 5,000 sq ft vs $1,400 or more of sod (our arithmetic, prices Oct. 19, 2026)
It is mid-August to October	Wait until April to seed	Fall seedlings may not survive winter (UF/IFAS LH009; Seed Barn)
You want a dark green lawn	Use iron, not more nitrogen, or choose another grass	Dark green from nitrogen is a primary cause of decline (UGA C1003)

1. 1Is soil pH above 6.5 and hard to lower?

   YesPlant a different grass; centipede yellows from iron chlorosis (UF/IFAS).

   NoGo to the next question

2. 2Does the lawn get under 6 hours of direct sun?

   YesChoose St. Augustinegrass or zoysiagrass (Clemson).

   NoGo to the next question

3. 3Does it take daily play, dog or vehicle traffic?

   YesChoose bermudagrass or zoysiagrass; centipede wear is rated fair (UF/IFAS).

   NoGo to the next question

4. 4Is it exposed to salt spray?

   YesChoose zoysiagrass or St. Augustinegrass; centipede salt tolerance is poor (UF/IFAS).

   NoGo to the next question

5. 5Are ground pearls confirmed in the soil?

   YesDo not replant centipede; use shrubs, trees or zoysiagrass (NC Extension).

   NoGo to the next question

6. 6Are you in USDA zone 7 or the upper South?

   YesPlant TifBlair or TennTurf rather than Common (USDA-ARS, UT Extension).

   NoGo to the next question

7. 7Is it mid-August to October?

   YesWait and seed in April to July, or lay sod (UF/IFAS).

   NoPlant centipede grass: seed at 1/4 to 1/2 lb per 1,000 sq ft from April to July, or lay sod; then mow at 1 to 2 inches and feed 1 to 2 lb of nitrogen a year from mid-May.

Source: UF/IFAS LH009; Clemson HGIC 1215; NC State AG-381; Pender County Extension; USDA-ARS; UT Extension W159-C