St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' (Common cultivars for residential lawns)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass that forms a dense, carpet-like sod. It is characterized by its bright to dark green color and thick stolons. It lacks underground rhizomes. Seed heads are inconspicuous spikes with small flowers embedded in a flattened rachis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm); flat shape with a distinct boat-shaped or rounded tip; light to medium green color; folded vernation; inconspicuous ligule (fringe of hairs); auricles absent; broad, continuous collar.
Root System
Fibrous and moderately deep; primarily established through stolons; high thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed; forms a very dense sod that recovers well from wear but lacks rhizomous recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, West Indies, and West Africa. Highly adapted to subtropical and tropical coastal regions.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (4-6 hours minimum); some varieties are highly shade tolerant; high water requirements during establishment; moderate to high drought tolerance once established; prefers moist, well-drained soils with pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5–4.0 inches; weekly mowing frequency; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year; high dethatching needs; medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses; high salt tolerance (excellent for coastal lawns); susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch disease.
Ecological Information
Native to coastal regions; provides good soil stabilization against erosion; low wildlife food value but provides cover for small invertebrates; can be invasive in non-native wetland margins.