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
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (susceptible to frost damage and enters dormancy or dies back in freezing temperatures).
About This Grass
Forms a lush, dense carpet with relatively coarse, flat blades and blunt tips. Light to medium bright green color. Can grow rapidly during warm months, reaching several inches if unmanaged, but typically maintained at 2 to 3 inches. Produces flattened seed spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse texture with wide blades (greater than 4mm), flat shape, blunt or rounded tips, light to bright green color, folded vernation in the bud, prominent collar region with a very short membranous ligule fringed with hairs, and lacking auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Establishes relatively quickly from sod, forms a dense sod layer, and has a moderate to high thatch-forming tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, coastal areas, and tropical regions worldwide. Well-adapted to the southern United States and tropical climates.
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous, spreading via thick above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse-textured turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than many other warm-season grasses). Moderate to high watering needs; moderate drought tolerance by entering dormancy during prolonged dry spells. Prefers moist, well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Mowing frequency is weekly during the active growing season. Requires moderate to high fertilization (2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Medium to high maintenance level due to thatch management and pest susceptibility.
Special Characteristics
Moderate wear tolerance with good recuperative ability via stolons. Susceptible to chinch bugs and large patch disease. Good salt tolerance, making it popular in coastal areas. Poor cold tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal areas. Can be invasive in tropical natural habitats outside its native range.