St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Poor cold tolerance; turns brown and enters dormancy with the first heavy frost.
About This Grass
Forms a thick, coarse-textured lawn with a vibrant blue-green to dark green color. It has a low-growing, spreading habit, reaching 2 to 3 inches when maintained, but can grow taller if left unmowed. Produces flat, thick flattened seed spikes at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse, greater than 4-10mm in width, flat with blunt or rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous and broad.
Root System
Moderate root depth with a fibrous root system spreading from creeping stolons. High tendency to form thatch if over-fertilized. Establishes rapidly from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical coastal regions around the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; widely cultivated in the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most warm-season grasses). Needs moderate to high water; low drought tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia, going dormant in severe drought. Prefers moist, well-draining soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 3.5 inches high. Requires frequent mowing during the active growing season. Fertilization needs are moderate (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). High maintenance level regarding watering and weed control.
Special Characteristics
Low traffic and wear tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia. Good salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas). Moderate shade tolerance. Prone to chinch bugs and large patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced/cultivated turfgrass in many non-native regions. Provides ground cover and soil stabilization in coastal residential landscapes, but offers limited wildlife value compared to native prairie grasses.