The caryopsis is enclosed in a wax coating which is a physical barrier to germination. Centipede grass apparently requires alternating temperature regimes for optimum germination. Centipede grass produces new stolons each growing season. These runners replace the live growth of the previous year. They grow over the top of the latter, developing a thick, spongy thatch.
Centipede grass is a tropical grass that has no natural winter rest period.
A centipede grass cultivar and three other lawn grasses were tested for shade tolerance in southeastern Louisiana. The experimental conditrions simulated those under Gulf Coast deciduous shade trees. In another study in northeastern Texas, seven centipede grass cultivars were tested at 15 percent full sunlight under tree canopy. No cultivar produced acceptable turf under these conditions. Information on centipede grass successional status in naturalized conditions was unavailable.