St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, and Erosion Control Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely Floratam or Common St. Augustine (distinguished by coarse texture and wide blades)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance, enters dormancy and turns brown when temperatures drop below 55°F consistently.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass with a distinctive blue-green to dark green color. It forms a thick, spongy sod and produces short, thick flowering stalks with spikelets embedded in a flattened rachis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (8-10mm width), flat shape with rounded or 'boat-shaped' tips, folded vernation in the bud, blue-green color, short/hairy ligule, and no auricles.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively shallow but dense, spreading via thick stolons. It has high thatch-forming tendencies and moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastlines of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Western Africa; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads aggressively via thick, above-ground runners); forms a dense, carpet-like mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has excellent shade tolerance (for a warm-season grass); requires regular watering and has moderate drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.0 to 8.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height of 2.5 to 4.0 inches; requires frequent mowing to prevent thatch buildup; moderate fertilization (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year); maintenance level is medium to high.
Special Characteristics
Salt tolerant (excellent for coastal areas), high shade tolerance relative to other warm-season grasses, poor wear tolerance compared to Bermuda, prone to Chinch bugs and Gray Leaf Spot.
Ecological Information
Native to coastal regions; provides soil stabilization in sandy areas; low wildlife value for food but provides good ground cover; can be invasive in non-native wetland margins.