Centipede grass
A slow-growing, medium green lawn that asks for very little: less mowing, almost no fertilizer, and it is at home in the acidic soils of the Gulf Coast.
About Centipede
Centipede is one of the most common lawn grasses on the Gulf Coast. It is a slow-growing, medium green, warm-season grass with a coarse texture and moderate shade tolerance.
It is very durable and low maintenance, which makes it an excellent general-purpose lawn for anyone who would rather not spend every weekend on the yard. Centipede is sold as sod and also as Gulf Kist Centipede seed.
- Needs little to no nitrogen
- Mow about every 10 days in season
- Likes acidic soil, pH 5 to 6
- Not built for heavy foot traffic
How to care for Centipede
Lay sod on moist, prepared soil and start watering the same day. Do not water sod while it is still on the pallet. You can usually mow after 10 to 14 days, once a gentle tug shows it has rooted.
| Care topic | What Centipede needs |
|---|---|
| Sun and shade | Moderate to full sun. Moderate shade tolerance. |
| Watering new sod | Soak the sod through, about 3 in, for the first 2 weeks, then water every other day for the next 2 weeks. |
| Once established | Varies with your soil. |
| Mowing height | 1 to 2 in, about every 10 days in season, with a sharp rotary or reel mower. Never remove more than a third of the blade. |
| Fertilizer | Little to no nitrogen. The ideal fertilizer is a 15-0-15, such as the ferti•lome Centipede Lawn Fertilizer at our stores. |
| Soil pH | 5 to 6, and it tolerates up to 7. Grows in a wide range of soils and does best in well-drained, fertile soil. |
| Wear and traffic | Fairly wear resistant with good recovery, but not for high-traffic areas. |
Where to get Centipede
Grown at the four farms below. Every farm sells to homeowners and contractors. Farm pickups are scheduled 24 hours ahead and paid in advance, and delivery is available.
Bon Secour, Alabama
Baldwin County. Serves the Gulf Coast from eastern Louisiana to Pensacola, and north to Birmingham. Call (251) 943-4716 or (251) 943-3770.
See the farm in Bon SecourFoley, Alabama
Baldwin County. Serves the Gulf Coast from eastern Louisiana to Pensacola, and south to Miami. Call (251) 943-4716 or (251) 943-3770.
See the farm in FoleyDonaldsonville, Louisiana
About an hour west of New Orleans. Serves central and eastern Louisiana, north to Jackson, Mississippi. Call (251) 943-4680 or (800) 547-9187.
See the farm in DonaldsonvilleEthel, Louisiana
About 15 minutes from Zachary and 35 from Baton Rouge. Serves Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Call (251) 943-4680 or (800) 547-9187.
See the farm in EthelOur Mobile store and Baton Rouge store, and our affiliate Gulf Kist Sod of Pensacola, also carry it by the pallet or the piece. Stock depends on the weather, so call ahead to reserve.
Compare other grasses
Not quite right for your yard? These three are worth a look, or let the grass finder narrow it down.