St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common / Floratam (Likely for warm coastal regions)
Hardiness Zones
USDA 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 that forms a thick, carpet-like sod. It is known for its vibrant blue-green to dark green color and thick, juicy stolons that root at the nodes.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (8-10mm), flat blades with a distinctive rounded/obtuse tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent; collar is constricted.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively shallow compared to other warm-season grasses; forms a very dense sod that creates significant thatch. Establishment speed is moderate via sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf Coast region, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; well-adapted to tropical and subtropical coastal areas
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads aggressively via thick above-ground runners/stolons), mat-forming
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); requires high water frequency and has moderate drought tolerance; prefers pH 5.0–8.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 2.5 to 4.0 inches; frequency: weekly during peak growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; high maintenance due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas), low wear tolerance (does not handle heavy foot traffic well), prone to Large Patch and Chinch Bugs.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization in coastal sandy soils; generally not invasive in non-tropical climates; often grown as a monoculture.