St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' (indicated by medium-coarse texture and deep green color)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy below 55°F; susceptible to winter kill in upper transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass that forms a dense, spongy sod. It maintains a deep blue-green to emerald color in peak season and goes dormant (tan) after the first hard frost.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (8-10mm wide), flat, with rounded or blunt 'boat-shaped' tips. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent; collar is constricted.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively shallow compared to Centipede grass, but forms a dense sod. Dependent on stolons for lateral spread; produces moderate thatch; moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a thick, dense mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs at least 4-5 hours of sun; high water requirement; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 3.0-4.0 inches; weekly frequency during growing season; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance level due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas); poor wear tolerance due to succulent stolons; susceptible to Chinch bugs and Large Patch (fungus).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; provides soil stabilization for coastal sandy soils; non-invasive in arid regions but can escape in wetlands; usually planted as monoculture sod.