St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' (Standard broad-leaf turf type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormant state in winter; thrives in coastal humidity and high heat.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass with a deep blue-green color. It forms a thick, spongy sod and remains relatively low-profile. It turns brown/dormant when temperatures drop below 55°F.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), folded vernation, rounded or blunt tips, blue-green color, short/fringed ligule, and no auricles. The blades arise from thick, compressed stolons.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively deep for a warm-season grass; primarily develops from nodes along the stolons. Slow to establish from seed (mostly sodded/plugged) but forms a very dense, thatch-prone sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners that form a dense, carpet-like mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (requires 4-6 hours minimum); better shade tolerance than Bermuda; high water needs; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5-4.0 inches; weekly frequency; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to water and pest needs; requires periodic vertical mowing to manage thatch.
Special Characteristics
Excellent salt tolerance (ideal for coastal lawns), moderate shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, poor wear tolerance compared to Bermuda, susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the South; high soil stabilization value due to dense mat; low wildlife value in turf form; can be aggressive in native coastal dunes if escaped.