St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common St. Augustine (likely 'Floratam' based on blade width and typical residential use in warm climates)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy below 55°F; very heat tolerant.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass that forms a dense, carpet-like mat. It features wide, blunt-tipped blades and thick, compressed stolons. Color is typically a medium to deep emerald green, turning brown/tan during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (8-10mm); flat shape with a distinct boat-shaped or rounded tip; medium green color; folded vernation; no auricles; short, fringe-like hairy ligule; constricted collar region.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively shallow to moderate depth; fast establishment through stolons; high thatch-forming tendency; moderate drought tolerance due to succulent stolons; poor wear recovery compared to Bermuda grass.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (enjoys 4-6 hours minimum); high shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high water needs; prefers well-drained, sandy soils with pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2.5–4.0 inches; weekly frequency during growing season; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance due to thirst and pest susceptibility.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (fungus); poor traffic/wear tolerance.
Ecological Information
Native to coastal areas of Americas and Africa; provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal corridors; can be invasive in non-native wetland margins; often blended with other warm-season grasses only in transition zones.