St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam', 'Palmetto', or 'Raleigh' based on blade width and typical residential availability
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy when temperatures consistently drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass that forms a dense, carpet-like sod. It is deep green to blue-green in color and turns tan or brown during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (>4mm wide), flat to folded, with a distinct rounded or blunt tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively shallow, primarily anchored by thick stolons; moderate thatch tendency; moderately fast establishment from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; thrives in subtropical and tropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; has the best shade tolerance among warm-season grasses. Requires moderate to high watering; low drought tolerance compared to Bermuda grass.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly mowing; requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High salt tolerance (excellent for coastal areas), excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, poor traffic/wear tolerance due to coarse stolons.
Ecological Information
Native to tropical coastal regions; provides soil stabilization in sandy soils; frequently mixed with White Clover (Trifolium repens) as seen in the image.