St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn / Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on blade width and typical residential usage
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy (turns brown) below 45-50°F; susceptible to winter kill in northern transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turf grass with a creeping habit. It features a deep blue-green to dark green color and forms a thick carpet that crowds out most weeds. Seed heads are inconspicuous spikes on a flattened stem (rachis).
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades, 8-10mm wide; folded in the bud (vernation); rounded or blunt tips; smooth texture with prominent mid-vein; ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent; collar is broad and continuous.
Root System
Relatively shallow fibrous root system emanating from stolon nodes; low thatch tendency if managed well; slow to moderate establishment speed compared to Bermuda; excellent sod-forming capability.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Africa, and the Mediterranean; thrives in tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners/stolons); forms a dense, aggressive mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); requires at least 4-6 hours of sun; high water requirement; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly mowing frequency; fertilization: 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance level due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
High shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (excellent for coastal lawns); low wear tolerance (does not handle heavy foot traffic well); susceptible to Chinch bugs and Large Patch (Rhizoctonia).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal areas; low wildlife value beyond cover; can be invasive in sensitive wetland margins but generally remains in managed landscapes.