St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or 'Floratam' (likely based on coarse leaf texture and leaf width)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when temperatures drop below 55°F consistently; sensitive to frost.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a vibrant medium-to-dark green color. It forms a thick, spongy turf and features blunt, short flowering spikes (racemes) at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (6-10mm), flat shape with a distinctively rounded or 'boat-shaped' tip; folded vernation in the bud; short, fringe-like hairy ligule; auricles absent; collar is constricted and smooth.
Root System
Relatively shallow to moderate depth fibrous roots; high thatch-forming tendency due to heavy stolon production; establishes moderately fast from sod or plugs; excellent sod-forming capability.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners (stolons) that root at the nodes to form a dense mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Moderate Shade (most shade-tolerant warm-season grass); requires at least 4-5 hours of direct sun; high water needs; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.0 to 8.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance level; requires regular dethatching and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; good 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 many regions; provides high soil stabilization; low wildlife value in urban settings; can be slightly invasive in native wetland margins; often grown as a monoculture but may be mixed with southern weeds if not maintained.