St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Panicae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
'Floratam', a widely used cultivar known for its coarse texture, blue-green color, and larger leaves
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10, sensitive to severe cold and frosts which induce winter dormancy and discoloration.
About This Grass
Forms a lush, dense, carpet-like turf with a coarse texture and vibrant green to blue-green color. Mown height typically ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches, while unmowed growth can reach 6 to 12 inches with flattened, thick stems and spike-like seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse texture with blade width generally between 5 to 10mm. Blades are flat, smooth, with blunt or rounded tips, folded in the bud (vernation). Features a very short membranous ligule with a fringe of hairs, and lacks auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Establishes relatively quickly from sod or plugs, moderate thatch-forming tendency, forms a dense carpet but has poor to moderate drought tolerance due to shallow rooting compared to deeper grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide; well-adapted to the southern United States
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading rapidly via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a thick, dense sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most warm-season grasses, needing at least 4 hours of direct sun). High water needs, particularly during establishment and hot summer months. Poor drought tolerance, goes into dormancy or wilts under prolonged dry conditions. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches high every 7-10 days during the growing season. Requires 2 to 4 lbs of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Medium-high maintenance level due to regular watering, fertilization, and potential thatch management.
Special Characteristics
Good shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses, moderate salt tolerance (making it popular in coastal areas), low wear tolerance and slow recovery from heavy traffic, susceptible to chinch bugs and take-all root rot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal sandy soils. Low invasive concern outside of managed turf landscapes, typically used as a monoculture lawn grass for residential and commercial lawns.