Pros & cons of centipede grass: What home gardeners should know

by Jan Kennemer 06/30/2024

Centipede grass is a variety of bright-green grass commonly grown in warm, wet climates. It tolerates high temperatures and most soil types, which make it a superb lawn choice for homes in warmer regions. But even if your home meets the climate requirements, how do you know if centipede grass is the right choice for your lawn or garden?

To help you learn more, here are some primary advantages and disadvantages of centipede grass:

Centipede grass pros

Centipede grass lawns have many benefits, including:

  • Easy care: Centipede grass is low maintenance once established in your outdoor space. It doesn’t grow as quickly as other types of grass, which means less mowing.
  • Weed control: Centipede grass grows thick enough to block out weeds from growing in your lawn. This means less time spent pulling weeds or using weed killers.
  • Heat-friendly: Centipede grass grows well in sunny, hot climates that might scorch and dry out other grass types.

Centipede grass cons

Despite its many advantages, centipede grass does have some drawbacks to consider, such as:

  • Not shade-friendly: While centipede grass can handle some light shade, it will die without proper sun exposure.
  • Delicate: Centipede grass is extremely susceptible to damage from foot traffic, making it a poor choice of lawn grass for active yards. Because it grows slowly, damaged grass can take a long time to recover.
  • Thirsty: Centipede grass requires frequent watering, especially if you live somewhere without much rainfall. While you’ll spend less time mowing and pulling weeds, you may need to water a centipede grass lawn more frequently than other grass types.

Is planting centipede grass the right choice for your lawn? If you’re searching for a warm season grass that loves high heat and full sun, it might be a great option. However, consider the disadvantages and advantages carefully to determine what’s best for your home.

About the Author
Author

Jan Kennemer

Jan will show you how you can live close to Washington, DC – by public transit and/or highway – and still enjoy all the many amenities and friendliness of a quiet community. Jan is a life-long resident of Arlington, Va. So, she is very familiar with northern Virginia …Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria and close-in Fairfax. She knows where to find those little out-of the-way places where you will still get excellent value and a home that meets your needs. As a Realtor® for over 20 years, Jan has developed a customized system for marketing and selling properties which includes the latest technologies combined with tried and true practices. She has received special training in working with first time buyers, repeat buyers and seniors. She is a certified VHDA trainer and is certified as a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES©). Jan is also a certified e-Pro. She gets results you want – the best price in the shortest time. Jan is dedicated to helping clients satisfy their needs and wants while providing them with a strong investment for the future. She is readily available to provide explanations and information. She won’t push you into making an uncomfortable choice. Jan helps you to fully understand the transaction, so that you can always make an informed decision based on facts and figures.