St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Commonly 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto', known for coarse texture and rapid spread
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-10. Low cold tolerance, goes dormant and loses color with frost. Does not tolerate heavy freezing temperatures.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, coarse-textured lawn with a vibrant bright green to blue-green color. Mowed typically at 2.5 to 3 inches, but can grow much taller if left unmaintained. Produces a flattened seed spike at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades, width typically 4-10mm, flat shape with rounded or blunt tips. Rolled in the bud (vernation). Has a short membranous ligule with hairs, and lacks auricles. The collar is continuous and broad.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system combined with robust stolons. Forms a heavy thatch layer over time. Establishes relatively quickly from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, coastal areas of the Americas, and the Caribbean. Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a thick, coarse turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses). High water needs during active growth, moderate drought tolerance with dormancy in prolonged dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches. Requires high maintenance including frequent mowing, regular fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Moderate traffic tolerance (less than Bermuda or Zoysia), good salt tolerance making it ideal for coastal areas, poor cold tolerance, excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in many tropical regions worldwide. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal sandy soils, though it has limited wildlife food value compared to native prairie grasses.