Controlling Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) in Centipede Lawns

Letting Heat Do the Work

If you have a centipedegrass lawn in a southern climate, you're in luck—nature offers a simple, chemical-free way to knock back annual bluegrass (Poa annua). Wait until summer temperatures consistently push into the upper 90s, then stop watering for about 10 days. The centipedegrass will go dormant and turn brown, but it will bounce back once you resume irrigation. The shallow-rooted Poa annua, however, cannot survive that heat-and-drought combo and will die out.

Why This Works

• Centipedegrass has deep roots and excellent drought tolerance.
• Poa annua is a cool-season annual with shallow roots—it dies in extreme heat.
• No herbicides needed, reducing cost and chemical exposure.

Plan for Repeat Treatments

Poa annua drops plenty of seed, so this will be an annual ritual. Mark your calendar for the hottest stretch each summer, withhold water for 10 days, then water deeply to revive your centipede. Over time, you'll reduce the seed bank in the soil.

Key Takeaway

Use summer's natural heat as your weed control tool. It's free, effective, and perfectly suited to centipedegrass lawns in the South.