St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Low cold tolerance (susceptible to frost damage below 25°F) and goes dormant in the cooler parts of its range.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Variety / Cultivar
'Palmetto' St. Augustine (noted for improved shade tolerance and semi-dwarf growth habit)
About This Grass
Forms a coarse-textured, dense turf with a blue-green to bright green color. Can grow several inches tall if unmowed, but maintained at low heights. Produces flat, thickened seed stalks with spike-like racemes.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse texture with wide blades (>4mm, typically 6-10mm wide), flat shape, blunt or rounded tips, folded vernation in the bud, prominent ligule consisting of a fringe of hairs, and absent auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system with a strong tendency to produce thatch. Establishes rapidly from sod or stolons, providing good erosion control and moderate wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide. Cultivated widely in the Southern United States and tropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (aggressive above-ground runners) forming a thick, dense turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most warm-season grasses). High water needs, moderate drought tolerance with dormancy during extended dry spells. Prefers moist, fertile soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 3.5 inches high using rotary mowers. Requires high fertilization (2-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), frequent irrigation, and regular dethatching due to rapid stolon accumulation. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Moderate traffic tolerance (lower than Bermuda or Zoysia), susceptible to chinch bugs and take-all root rot, good salt tolerance, excellent shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses, and forms a dense barrier against weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions. Provides soil stabilization in coastal zones, offers minimal wildlife food value compared to native grasses, and is typically grown as a monoculture lawn.