St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Floratam-type (likely a standard cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy below 55°F; susceptible to winter kill in northern transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass forming a thick, spongy carpet. It features a medium to dark green color and remains green in warm temperatures, turning brown during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), folded vernation, rounded or boat-shaped tips, blue-green to dark green color; ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Relatively shallow but dense fibrous root system extending from stolons; high thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Africa; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads aggressively via thick above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); high water requirements; moderate drought tolerance but wilt-prone without irrigation.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; high maintenance level due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance; poor wear tolerance; susceptible to Chinch bugs and Gray Leaf Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions; provides coastal soil stabilization; invasive in sensitive wetland ecosystems if escaped from lawns.