St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
'Floratam' (a widely used cultivar known for its coarse texture, blue-green color, and resistance to St. Augustine decline virus and chinch bugs)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Exhibits low cold tolerance and goes dormant (turning brown) with the first heavy frost.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, coarse-textured turf with broad, flat blades. Color ranges from bright green to a distinct blue-green. Unmowed height can reach 6 to 12 inches, but it is typically maintained much lower. Produces flattened seed spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse (greater than 4mm wide), flat, with blunt, rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous and broad.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system combined with vigorous above-ground stolons. Forms a heavy thatch layer over time. Establishes quickly from sod, moderately from plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, coastal areas of the southeastern United States, and tropical regions worldwide. Performs best in warm, humid coastal climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading rapidly via aggressive, thick above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, carpet-like turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses, needing a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight). High water requirement during dry periods, with moderate drought tolerance by entering dormancy.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches using a rotary mower. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (2 to 5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), frequent irrigation, and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent salt tolerance making it ideal for coastal areas. Moderate wear tolerance; recovers well from damage via stolons but can be slow to repair heavy traffic areas compared to Bermuda. Susceptible to chinch bugs and large patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized widely across tropical and subtropical regions. Excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal sandy soils. Provides basic ground cover and micro-habitats for small insects and invertebrates.