St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Low cold tolerance (frost damage occurs below freezing). Does not tolerate the transition zone well.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, coarse-textured, blue-green to dark green turf. Maintains a relatively low-growing profile when maintained, but can reach 6-12 inches if unmowed. Features flat, coarse blades and produces distinct flattened seed spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse (5-10mm wide), flat, with blunt, rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. Collar is broad and continuous.
Root System
Moderate-depth fibrous root system with aggressive stolons. Forms a moderate amount of thatch. Establishes relatively quickly from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical coastal regions globally, well-adapted to the southern United States and Gulf Coast
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively via thick above-ground runners to form a coarse, dense turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade; St. Augustine is the most shade-tolerant warm-season grass. High water needs during active growth, moderate drought tolerance (enters dormancy during severe drought). Prefers moist, well-draining soils with a pH of 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height range of 2.5 to 4.0 inches every 7-14 days. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually) and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Low to moderate traffic and wear tolerance. Susceptible to chinch bugs, take-all root rot, and brown patch. Good salt tolerance, making it ideal for coastal lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in many coastal regions. Provides ground cover, soil stabilization, and runoff reduction. Generally grown as a monoculture lawn grass.