St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae, Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam (likely, given the coarse texture and broad blades), Palmetto, or Raleigh
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy (turns brown) when soil temperatures drop below 55°F; thrives in humid, subtropical climates.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a vibrant medium-to-dark green color. It forms a thick, dense sod that competes well against weeds. Seed heads are unique floral spikes with seeds embedded in a thickened rachis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), folded in the bud (folded vernation), rounded/blunt tips, smooth surface with prominent midveins, short membranous ligule with hairs, and no auricles.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively deep for a warm-season grass; spreads primarily through heavy stolons; moderate thatch tendency; excellent at forming a dense, wear-resistant sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico; widespread in tropical and subtropical regions.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads aggressively via thick above-ground runners/stolons), mat-forming
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs at least 4-5 hours of direct sun; high water requirement during establishment; moderate drought tolerance but maintains color better with regular irrigation.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2.5–4 inches; low-to-medium frequency; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance level due to water and pest monitoring needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses; high salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas); poor traffic tolerance compared to Bermuda; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (rhizoctonia).
Ecological Information
Native to coastal ecosystems; provides excellent soil stabilization in sandy coastal soils; non-invasive in most landscapes but can escape in moisture-heavy climates; often used as a monoculture turf.