St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Sensitive to hard freezes and enters dormancy when temperatures drop.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Variety / Cultivar
Common or 'Floratam' cultivar characteristics (coarse texture, blue-green color)
About This Grass
Forms a dense, carpet-like turf with coarse-textured, flat blades. Medium to dark green color, turning straw-brown during winter dormancy in cooler parts of its range. Grows rapidly in hot weather.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse (>4mm wide), flat, with rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Shallow to moderately deep fibrous root system originating from nodes along thick stolons. Moderate establishment speed, creates a thick spongy sod, low drought tolerance compared to deep-rooted grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions along the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean coasts; widely cultivated in the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreading aggressively via above-ground runners or stolons), forming a thick, coarse turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to moderate shade (more shade tolerant than most warm-season grasses). Requires regular watering, moderate to high moisture, and prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 3.5 inches high. Requires frequent mowing during peak growing season. High maintenance regarding watering and pest management; moderate fertilization needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, poor cold tolerance, moderate to low wear tolerance, susceptible to chinch bugs and take-all root rot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/cultivated across southern coastal regions, provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on sandy coastal soils, serves as cover for small wildlife.