St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common (likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on stolon thickness and pigmentation)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F; susceptible to winter kill in upper transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a distinct creeping habit. It features thick, fleshy stolons often tinged with purple or red. The turf is very dense and maintains a deep blue-green color under proper care.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (8-10mm); flat shape with a distinct 'boat-shaped' or rounded tip; vernation is folded; ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent; collar is constricted.
Root System
Relatively shallow to moderate fibrous root system arising from stolon nodes; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment from sprigs or sod; low wear recovery compared to Bermuda.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical humid climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads aggressively via thick above-ground runners that root at nodes to form a dense, carpet-like sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); requires at least 4-5 hours of sun; high watering needs; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture; prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches; frequency every 7-10 days; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft per year; high maintenance due to water and pest needs; frequent dethatching may be required.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas); susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Gray Leaf Spot; poor traffic tolerance due to coarse, fleshy blades.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions; provides excellent soil stabilization in sandy coastal areas; low wildlife value; not considered invasive in managed landscapes but can encroach on flower beds via stolons.