St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Floratam-type (likely a mixed utility lawn variety)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11. Poor cold tolerance; turns dormant/brown below 55°F. Susceptible to winter kill in northern transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a vibrant lime-to-medium green color. It forms a thick, spongy sod and produces short, thick flowering stalks with spikelets embedded in the rachis (not highly visible in maintained lawns).
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (8-10mm wide), flat, with blunt/rounded tips. Light to medium green. Folded vernation, short fringed ligule, and no auricles. The blades transition into thick, compressed sheaths.
Root System
Fibrous root system arising from stolons; moderate depth (6-12 inches). Moderate thatch-forming tendency; slow to medium establishment speed compared to Bermuda.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Africa. Well-adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick above-ground runners), forming a dense, coarse-textured mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs at least 4-5 hours of sun. High water needs; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 3.0-4.0 inches recommended. Weekly frequency. Requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Moderate maintenance level due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); poor wear tolerance due to succulent stolons; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (fungus).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US. Provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal soils. Often found growing with broadleaf weeds like Florida Pusley and Clover (seen in image) when not treated with herbicides.