St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season perennial, C4 photosynthesis type
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common St. Augustine / Floratam (Likely broad-leaved variety)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a vibrant blue-green to medium-green color. It forms a thick sod that crowds out most weeds and is known for its wide, blunt blades and thick, compressed stolons.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (8-10mm), flat shape with a distinct rounded or 'boat-shaped' tip; folded vernation; short, fringe-like hairy ligule; auricles are absent; collar is continuous and narrow.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from nodes along the stolons; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; thrives in subtropical and tropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via aggressive above-ground runners), forming a thick, dense mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (4-6 hours minimum); best shade tolerance among warm-season grasses; high water needs; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height of 3.0-4.0 inches; weekly mowing; requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; medium to high maintenance due to potential for thatch and pest issues.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas); poor wear tolerance due to coarse, fleshy blades; susceptible to Chinch bugs and Large Patch (Grey Leaf Spot).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many US Southern states; provides excellent soil stabilization; used for erosion control in coastal sandy soils; generally not compatible in mixes due to its aggressive stolons.