Will Centipede Grass Die in a Drought?

Symptoms

• Centipede grass suffering stress from drought may start to turn gray, first in small patches a foot or less in diameter, growing in time to areas 3-6 feet in diameter. Other symptoms of drought-related stress include leaves rolling, wilting or growing irregularly, and eventually dying. Especially at risk of centipede decline are areas of thatchy turf and where soil is particularly compacted. Centipede decline is prevalent in early spring through midsummer.

Exceptions

• Centipede grass often goes dormant during drought times, turning brown and ceasing to grow, but reviving and resuming growth following sufficient irrigation. The TifBlair variety of centipede grass is more tolerant to drought conditions, with deeper roots, allowing greater water retention and faster recovery from drought..

Care

• During drought, rather than following ordinary watering instructions for centipede grass to water shallowly a few times per week, water only when the grass shows signs of drought-related stress, about once per week, and water deeply. A deep watering is approximately 1 inch of water, or enough to moisten the soil to a 6- to 8-inch depth. Water in the mornings, as watering at night can cause fungi to develop.