Centipede grass is actually a very popular choice for people’s lawns in the south. In places like the panhandle, it is the number one choice for people as Centipede grass loves the heat and humidity that it is accustomed to in its native home of Southeast Asia.
So, if you love this low-maintenance apple-green turf grass, then you’ll want to know the weeds that want to make themselves at home on your lawn. Here are 10 of the most common weeds in Centipede grass that you might spot.
Which Are the Most Common Weeds in Centipede Grass? (The Short Answer)
The common weeds found in Centipede grass can be broken down into two categories: broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds. Here are 10 common weeds you might find in your Centipede grass lawn.
This can include broadleaf varieties like:
- Common Chickweed
- Prostrate Spurge
- Henbit
- Virginia Buttonweed
- Common Lespedeza
Grassy weed varieties such as:
- Crabgrass
- Goosegrass
- Sandspurs
- Bahiagrass
- Dallisgrass
A Closer Look At 10 Weeds that Affect Centipede Grass
Like all grasses, Centipede grass is not immune to weeds. But knowing what weeds to look out for will better prepare you to treat and get rid of any weeds growing in your Centipede grass. So, let’s look at the 10 most common types of broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds you’ll find growing in your Centipede grass.
Broadleaf Weeds Common in Centipede Grass
Broadleaf weeds are pretty easy to spot in your Centipede grass. To be honest, broadleaf weeds are easy to spot in any lawn. They have rounded leaves that stand out from the grass shoots on your lawn and sometimes bloom flowers. So, what are some of the most common broadleaf weeds in Centipede grass? Let’s take a look.
Common Chickweed – Stellaria media
Chickweed is a low-growing weed that will form a canopy over Centipede grass. You can spot Chickweed by its small star-shaped white flower that only lives a couple of days. Its oval leaves grow opposite one another along the stem and close at night.
I’ll admit to having gone out at night with a flashlight checking to see if the weeds on my lawn are, in fact, Chickweed. One Chickweed plant can produce up to 1,300 seeds. That’s a lot of Chickweeds spreading across your Centipede grass, so you’ll want to get rid of it as soon as you spot it.
Prostrate Spurge – Euphorbia maculata
Spurge has a creeping stem that is reddish-brown in color with small oval leaves that grow opposite each other. If you have any bare spots in your Centipede grass, then the Spurge will quickly make a home there.
After a while, a white flower will bloom at the end of the stems. But you really want to get it out before it’s had time to flower and go to seed. You might want to wear gloves when pulling this weed out since it drips a sticky sap.
Spurge likes to grow in sidewalk cracks and along driveways, so if you have any block paving, Spurge will be right at home. My neighbor’s pool deck gets covered in Spurge whenever he goes on vacation, and then he has to spend a week trying to pull it all out.
Henbit – Lamium amplexicaule
You’ll be able to spot Henbit pretty easily on your Centipede lawn. This weed has purplish square stems, heart-shaped leaves, and blooms purple flowers. It is used as feed for chickens, which is where it gets its name.
The main problem with Henbit is its pretty flowers, which can spread up to 2 thousand seeds per plant. This means that it will very quickly spread through your Centipede grass and rob it of nutrients if not tackled right away. When this plant is small, you can pull it out by hand as long as you make sure to remove the entire root system.
Virginia Buttonweed – Diodia virginiana
Virginia Buttonweed actually hides pretty easily in Centipede grass, so you’ll have to be vigilant. It grows dark green leaves along a hairy stem. One way that it stands out from your Centipede grass is that its flower is white and star-shaped.
You’re probably familiar with Virginia Buttonweed if you live anywhere between New Jersey and Missouri all the way down to the Gulf states. This weed likes to grow in moist soil, so making sure not to overwater your lawn and maintaining good drainage is one way to prevent Virginia Buttonweed from making a home in your Centipede grass.
Common Lespedeza – Kummerowia striata
This is a summer weed that is also called Japanese clover. If your Centipede grass is weak, then the Lespedeza will easily take over. You’ll know it’s Lespedeza because it grows three oblong leaves on a leaflet and blooms purple or pink flowers.
Lespedeza will create a mat over your Centipede grass. It’s actually a legume and grows its seeds in a bean pod. You don’t want to leave Lespedeza for long because its stem will eventually thicken and become woody making it harder to remove.
Grassy Weeds Common in Centipede Grass
You’ll have a harder time spotting grassy weeds in your Centipede grass. As their name describes, these weeds look like grass, have one leaf, and grow in clusters in your Centipede grass. Let’s go over common grassy weeds in Centipede grass, so you know what to look for.
Crabgrass – Digitaria
One of the most common weeds in Centipede grass is Crabgrass. No matter where you live in the US, you’re probably familiar with this grassy weed. You can spot Crabgrass in your Centipede grass by its purple stem base. It is a very stubborn weed that can easily dominate your lawn.
If you spot Crabgrass in your Centipede lawn, use a clipping bag when mowing since each stalk contains hundreds of weeds. But if you have lawn guys mowing your lawn, then they’ll probably drop Crabgrass seeds on your lawn which are stuck in the tread of their lawn mower tires or sitting on the cutting deck with some grass clippings.
Goosegrass – Galium aparine
Goosegrass is another common weed found in Centipede grass. You can spot it in your lawn by its thick leaf blades, which will make your Centipede grass look ragged and messy even after mowing. It is an aggressive weed that spreads its seeds easily across the lawn. Goosegrass likes to grow in compacted soil, so keep high-traffic areas aerated.
Sandspurs – Cenchrus
If you’ve ever accidentally walked through Sandspurs, then you know just how painful they can be. The easiest way to spot Sandspurs is by their thorny, sticky burrs, which will annoyingly stick to your socks, clothes, or skin. Believe me, it can be very painful.
You’ve probably seen this grassy weed growing in the southern states, especially by the beach, since it likes sandy soil. In the wintertime, it looks just like any other grass but come spring and summer, its painful flowers pop up. I know I’m always having to check my dog after taking him to the beach so that he doesn’t drag burrs back onto my lawn.
Bahiagrass – Paspalum notatum
While driving down the highway, you’ve likely seen Bahiagrass growing along the road. You can spot Bahiagrass on your Centipede lawn by its mat-like structure, light green color, and tall Y-shaped seed heads. This grass is tough and aggressive and will leave a patch of bare ground when removed. To stop it from coming back, plant plugs of Centipede grass in the bare areas.
Dallisgrass – Paspalum dilatatum
If you live in the south or in California, then you’ve spotted Dallisgrass growing in fields, highways, drainage ditches, or even your Centipede grass. You can easily tell it apart from your Centipede grass by its mat-like growth pattern and coarse gray-green leaves that grow up to ¼ – ½ inch wide. It grows in a clump that slowly increases in diameter.
Unlike the Y-shaped seed heads of Bahiagrass, Dallisgrass seed heads consist of alternating branches growing along a stem. In your Centipede grass, Dallisgrass will thrive in wet areas with poor drainage.
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