St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10, sensitive to freezing temperatures, goes dormant and turns brown in winter frost.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Panicae
Variety / Cultivar
'Floratam', a widely used cultivar known for its coarse texture, blue-green color, and resistance to St. Augustine Decline (SAD) virus.
About This Grass
Forms a lush, dense, blue-green to dark green carpet with coarse-textured leaves. When unmowed, it can grow up to 6 to 12 inches tall, but it is typically maintained at 2.5 to 4 inches. Produces flat, spike-like seed heads on terminal stems.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades wider than 4mm, flat, with blunt, rounded tips. Rolled in the bud (vernation). Features a very short membranous ligule fringed with hairs, and lacks auricles. The collar region is continuous and broad.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from thick surface stolons. Moderate establishment speed, forms a dense sod, has low to moderate thatch-forming tendencies depending on fertilization.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions along the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and coastal areas worldwide; performs best in humid, warm coastal climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading rapidly via thick surface runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse-textured turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most warm-season grasses, needing at least 4 hours of direct sun). High water requirement during establishment, moderate to high ongoing needs. Moderate drought tolerance, enters dormancy during severe dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches using a rotary mower. Mowed weekly during peak growing season. Fertilization needs are 2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. Moderate maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Good shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, moderate salt tolerance, poor heavy traffic wear tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia, good weed-crowding ability when healthy.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in many tropical and subtropical areas. Provides good erosion control on coastal soils and slopes. Serves as habitat and ground cover for various small wildlife and insects.