St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Panicae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Coastal Turf
Variety / Cultivar
'Palmetto', 'Floratam', or 'Raleigh'. These cultivars differ mainly in shade tolerance, cold hardiness, and blade width.
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Low cold tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses; turns straw-colored and enters dormancy when temperatures drop below freezing.
About This Grass
Forms a coarse-textured, dense, carpet-like turf with broad, flat blades. Color ranges from bright apple green to deep blue-green depending on fertilization and moisture. Typically maintained at 2 to 3 inches.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse (greater than 4mm wide), flat, with rounded or obtuse tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. The collar is continuous and broad.
Root System
Moderate root depth with a fibrous root system anchored by vigorous surface stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency. Establishes relatively quickly from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. Widely cultivated in the southern United States and tropical regions worldwide.
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous, spreading via thick, flat above-ground runners (stolons) that form a coarse, dense turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to moderate shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses). High water needs during active growth, moderate drought tolerance entering dormancy during severe dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 3.5 inches using sharp rotary mowers to prevent shredding the wide blades. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization, irrigation, and frequent dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Low to moderate wear tolerance due to spongy stolons, poor cold tolerance, excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, susceptible to chinch bugs and take-all root rot.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in many non-native ranges. Provides standard lawn ecosystem services like soil stabilization and cooling, but limited wildlife value compared to native prairie grasses.