St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10, highly sensitive to freezing temperatures.
About This Grass
Coarse-textured, dense, bright to dark blue-green lawn grass forming a thick mat. Mows well at medium heights, but can feel spongy if thatch builds up. Seed heads are flattened spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse (greater than 4mm wide), flat, with blunt, rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderate depth fibrous root system arising from stolon nodes. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency, establishes quickly from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical coastal regions around the world, well-adapted to the southern United States and Gulf Coast.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading rapidly via thick, flat above-ground stolons to form a dense, coarse turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade tolerant (most shade tolerant of warm-season grasses). High water needs, low to moderate drought tolerance, goes dormant or wilts under severe dry conditions.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height 2.5 to 3.5 inches. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization, frequent watering, and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Poor to moderate wear tolerance compared to Bermuda, but excellent shade tolerance, good salt tolerance, and aggressive growth that helps crowd out weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced turfgrass in many parts of the US. Provides standard ground cover and soil stabilization in coastal areas, with limited native wildlife value.