St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common (likely 'Floratam' based on blade width and coarse texture)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
A robust, low-growing grass with a coarse texture and vibrant green color. It creates a dense, spongy sod through thick stolons that root at the nodes. When unmowed, it can reach 6-12 inches; maintained, it is exceptionally dense.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (8-10mm); flat shape with a distinct boat-shaped to rounded tip; dark green to blue-green color; folded vernation in the bud; short, fringe-like hairy ligule; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root network branching from thick stolons; creates high thatch; establishes slowly from sod or plugs but forms a very stable, dense surface.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of West Africa, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico; well-adapted to humid subtropical regions
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via aggressive above-ground runners); forms a thick, carpet-like mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs 4-6 hours of sun; moderate to high water needs; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 2.5 - 4.0 inches; frequency: weekly during peak growth; fertilization: 3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to potential for thatch and chinch bug monitoring.
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 Gray Leaf Spot and Chinch bugs.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; provides soil stabilization for sandy coastal soils; generally considered non-invasive in managed landscapes but can crowd out native species in sensitive moisture-rich ecosystems.