St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common St. Augustine (likely, based on the medium-green color and coarse texture)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy (turns brown) when temperatures consistently drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a creeping habit. It features thick, compressed stolons and produces a lush, carpet-like turf. Seed heads are spike-like racemes with seeds embedded in the rachis, though it is usually propagated vegetatively.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), folded in the bud (folded vernation), rounded/obtuse tips, medium to dark green color. Ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent; collar is constricted and distinct.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively shallow but dense; thrives on thick stolons which lead to heavy thatch buildup; moderately fast establishment through sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Atlantic Ocean (Africa, Americas); well-adapted to the US Gulf Coast and humid subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via vigorous above-ground runners), forming a dense, thick mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun; exhibits the best shade tolerance among warm-season grasses; requires frequent watering and has moderate drought tolerance; prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2.5–4.0 inches; weekly frequency; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to thatch management and water needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance; poor wear/traffic tolerance compared to Bermuda; susceptible to Chinch bugs and Gray Leaf Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions; provides excellent soil stabilization in coastal areas; low wildlife food value but provides cover; can be invasive in non-native wetland margins.