St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Centipede-like variety, possibly 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on blade width and stolon pigmentation
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass that forms a thick, carpet-like sod. Features light to dark green leaves that may turn brownish or purple-tinted under stress or cold. Seed heads are inconspicuous spikes with seeds embedded on one side of a flattened rachis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), flat blades with a rounded or blunt tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent. The collar is broad and conspicuous.
Root System
Fibrous roots originating from stolon nodes; moderate depth; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment speed; excellent sod-forming density.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; thrives in tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Strongly stoloniferous, spreading above ground via thick, creeping runners to form a dense, coarse mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun; one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses (needs 4-6 hours direct sun). High water requirement; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization of 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to water and chemical needs.
Special Characteristics
High salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas); excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; poor traffic/wear tolerance due to coarse stolons; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Gray Leaf Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal areas; low wildlife value; non-invasive in temperate zones but can be aggressive in tropical wetlands.