Centipedegrass spreads by stolons. Centipedegrass is a slow growing, apple-green,
coarsely leaved turfgrass that is best used as a low maintenance, general purpose
turf. It requires little fertilizer once established (0.5 to 1 pound of nitrogen
per 1,000 sq ft per year) and infrequent mowing, and it grows well on acidic soils
in full sun to partial shade. It does not tolerate traffic, compaction, high soil
pH, high soil phosphorus, excessive thatch, drought, or heavy shade.
It should be mowed when it attains 1 inch in height and no higher than 1.5 inches.
Centipedegrass can become thatchy, especially when mowed high and infrequently or
when heavily fertilized. Thatch may need to be removed every two to three years,
but care should be taken because the stems can easily be torn from the ground, leaving
bare spots.
TifBlair, an improved cultivar from the University of Georgia, is quicker to establish
and more cold tolerant then common centipedegrass. It also retains its green color
later in the fall.