St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae, Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' (Standard broad-leaf types)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass with a creeping growth habit. It is dark green to blue-green in color and is known for forming a thick, spongy sod. It enters dormancy and turns brown/tan in cold temperatures.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), flat shape with a blunt/rounded 'boat-shaped' tip; blue-green color; vernation is folded; ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent; collar is constricted.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous roots originating from stolon nodes; high thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, above-ground runners/stolons); forms a dense, coarse mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); high water needs; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture; prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency; requires 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to water and pest needs; periodic dethatching required.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); poor wear tolerance due to succulent stolons; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch disease.
Ecological Information
Native to coastal sea regions; provides soil stabilization for sandy coastal soils; generally non-invasive in non-tropical inland areas but can dominate local ecosystems in warm, humid climates.