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' (known for its coarse texture, blue-green color, and resistance to St. Augustine decline virus)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Low cold tolerance, going dormant and turning brown with the first hard frost. Excellent heat tolerance.
About This Grass
Forms a thick, lush carpet of medium to dark blue-green grass. Coarse in texture with flat, broad blades. Typically maintained between 2.5 and 4 inches in height. Unmowed, it can grow up to 6 to 12 inches tall with flattened, upright seed stalks.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are wide (coarse, typically 4-10 mm), flat, with rounded or blunt tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. The collar region is continuous with broad, clasping auricles absent, and the ligule is a fringe of hairs.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from nodes along the stolons. Spreads quickly via stolons to create a dense sod. Moderate thatch-forming tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, coastal regions, and tropical areas worldwide. Well-adapted to the southern United States, particularly Florida and the Gulf Coast.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreading aggressively via thick above-ground runners called stolons), forming a dense, coarse-textured mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses). High water needs during active growth, moderate drought tolerance by entering dormancy during dry spells. Prefers moist, fertile soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches, mowed every 7-10 days during the growing season. High maintenance requirement with regular fertilization (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Requires periodic dethatching and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Good salt tolerance (often used in coastal areas), poor wear tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia, moderate shade tolerance, prone to chinch bugs and take-all root rot, excellent erosion control when established.
Ecological Information
Introduced/cultivated turf grass in many regions. Provides moderate wildlife value as ground cover. Forms monotypic stands due to its dense stoloniferous growth, effectively crowding out weeds.