--- title: "The Best Fertilizers for Centipede Grass" description: "Though relatively low maintenance, centipede grass grows best with specific fertilizers. See the best fertilizer for centipede grass in this buyer’s guide." date: "2021-05-22" modified: "2023-04-28" authors: - name: "Mark Wolfe" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/mark-wolfe/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-fertilizer-for-centipede-grass/" categories: - "Lawn & Garden" - "Lawn Care" - "Lawn, Garden & Pool" - "Reviews" tags: - "choose" - "Commerce" - "grow" - "lawn" - "maintenance" - "MPR" - "Product Category Reviews" --- # The Best Fertilizers for Centipede Grass ![A man using a fertilizer spread to spread the best fertilizer for centipede grass option]() *Photo: amazon.com* Slow growing and semi shade tolerant, centipede grass is known throughout the South as “the lazy man’s grass.” Growing from South Carolina to Florida and along the Gulf coast, it thrives with [little fertilizer](), requires less frequent mowing than other [lawn grasses](), and is well adapted to the heat and humidity of the southern states. Tolerant as it is, centipede grass does need a little bit of care. Providing the right fertilization program helps ensure that a centipede lawn grows dense and healthy. Unlike [other grasses](), centipede grows best in soil with a low pH value, low phosphorus, and moderate to high potassium levels. Not just any fertilizer will do; in fact, the wrong types will damage centipede lawns. The best fertilizer for centipede grass includes moderate levels of nitrogen and potassium, and no phosphorus. Keep reading to learn what to look for and to see quality picks the lawn’s needs. 1. **BEST OVERALL:** [Sunday Micro Boost Liquid Fertilizer]() 2. **RUNNER-UP:** [Safer Brand 9334 Lawn Restore Fertilizer]() 3. **BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK:** [Jonathan Green (10250) Organic Lawn Food]() 4. **BEST FOR HIGH PH SOIL:** [Sunday Super S Liquid Fertilizer]() 5. **BEST FOR A THICK LAWN:** [The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Organic Fertilizer]() 6. **BEST FOR FALL:** [Espoma EOFW30 Organic Fall Fertilizer]() ![A man pouring the best fertilizer for centipede grass option into a fertilizer spreader]() *Photo: amazon.com* ## Before You Buy Fertilizer for Centipede Grass Before shopping for fertilizer for centipede grass, it’s important to determine whether the lawn has any nutritional deficiencies. Performing a soil test before purchasing fertilizer for centipede grass is crucial to ensure that the grass receives the right nutrients and pH level it needs to grow healthy and lush. A soil test will provide information about the soil type, pH level, nutrient levels, and organic matter content. This information will help determine the type and amount of fertilizer the soil needs. ## How We Chose the Best Fertilizers for Centipede Grass Years of experience covering home and garden products, as well as extensive product research, went into creating this guide. We explored more than 20 fertilizer options and weighed a number of practical considerations before making our recommendations. - **Organic vs. inorganic:** We only considered organic fertilizers for this guide since they are capable of top-notch performance without negative environmental impact. - **NPK ratio:** Centipede grass has specific nutritional needs which differ from those of other common grasses. We, therefore, only included products that contained minimal quantities of phosphorus. - **Value:** Lawn fertilizers vary widely in type and quantity. We ensured that each recommended product offered excellent value, regardless of the format. ## Our Top Picks To rank as a top pick, a fertilizer must provide the right nutrient balance to maintain health and vigor of centipede grass. For a centipede lawn that is sparse, pale, or recovering from damage, consider one of the formulas here designed to treat those issues. All the fertilizers here have proven their effectiveness on thousands of lawns. The fast action of this Sunday Micro Boost Liquid Fertilizer is delivered via a convenient hose-end sprayer that’s included with the product. While liquid fertilizer requires multiple applications for season-long nourishment, this product is a solid choice for a quick transition from winter dormancy to spring green-up. The 15-0-2 N-P-K analysis is just what most centipede lawns need for steady growth, rich green color, and overall health at the beginning of the season. The addition of micronutrients like boron, iron, manganese, and zinc provides an additional boost of nutrition. The 42-ounce bag feeds up to 3,200 square feet. **Get the Sunday Micro Boost Liquid Fertilizer at [Sunday Lawn Care]().** For both healthy and struggling lawns, Safer Brand Lawn Restore Fertilizer features a 9-0-2 N-P-K ratio. It is derived from all-natural, nonburning ingredients that will build the soil as it feeds the lawn. Since this fertilizer contains more nitrogen than potassium, it’s ideal for start-of-season greening but won’t offer high drought protection for the hotter summer months. Apply this granular lawn food with a walk-behind spreader. Although organic fertilizers offer a slow, consistent feed, this Safer Brand product may make the lawn greener in as few as 3 days. The 20-pound bag feeds up to 5,000 square feet. **Get the Safer Brand 9334 Lawn Restore Fertilizer at [Amazon]() or [The Home Depot]().** Organic lawn fertilizer tends to be more expensive than fertilizer made from synthetic ingredients, but it’s still possible to find a good deal. Jonathan Green’s organic lawn food is a granular fertilizer that contains a blend of plant and animal-based ingredients, including feather meal, soybean meal, molasses, and wheat middlings. With an NPK ratio of 10-0-1, this product is perfect for lawns lacking nitrogen which don’t need a heavy dose of potassium. In addition to macronutrients, this fertilizer also contains iron, helping centipede grass to produce a richer, deeper color. The 17-pound bag feeds up to 5,000 square feet. **Get the Jonathan Green organic lawn fertilizer at [Amazon]().** Centipede grass thrives when the pH level of the soil is around 5.5. If the pH is higher than that, however, it’s beneficial to choose a fertilizer that’s compatible with more alkaline soil. Acid-loving centipede grass also benefits from the boost provided by sulfur in this fertilizer, which unlocks the soil’s naturally occurring nutrients. The NPK ratio of 10-0-4 includes a healthy dose of nitrogen and potassium. Since the Super S Liquid Fertilizer is in liquid form, it’s easy to apply and ensures that the fertilizer is evenly distributed across the lawn. It does, however, need to be applied more frequently than granular fertilizer. **Get the Sunday Super S Liquid Fertilizer at [Sunday Lawn Care]().** Those looking for a fertilizer that doesn’t contain animal-derived ingredients will appreciate the plant-based formula of the Innova organic fertilizer from The Andersons, which contains no biosolids, manure, composted waste products, or animal parts. It’s a slow-release formula that features a 7-1-2 NPK ratio and added amino acids. The 40-pound bag feeds up to 11,000 square feet of lawn, contributing to this product’s excellent value. While some granular fertilizers may have high quantities of dust granules, this one is low in dust, so users won’t have to worry about breathing in dust while applying the fertilizer. **Get The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Organic Fertilizer at [Amazon]().** When preparing centipede grass for winter dormancy, it has different nutritional needs than it does at the beginning of the growing season. This fertilizer from Espoma is specifically designed to be used at the end of the summer season between September and November to ensure lawns have the nutrients they need over winter. This formula is rich in both nitrogen and potassium, featuring an NPK ratio of 8-0-5. It’s suitable for a wide variety of lawn types, including lawns that have recently been seeded or sodded. The manufacturer does, however, recommend applying this product to a dry lawn that has recently been mowed. **Get the Espoma EOFW30 Organic Fall Fertilizer at [Amazon]().** ## Author Mark Wolfe is a BobVila.com staff writer with an extensive background in the horticulture industry. Since 2020, he has contributed numerous gardening and home improvement articles, along with a variety of tool and product reviews.