St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season perennial, C4 species
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Floratam-type (notable for wide, coarse blades and vigorous stolon growth)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance, goes dormant and turns brown after the first hard frost; lacks the freeze tolerance of Bermuda or Zoysia.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass with a creeping growth habit. It is characterized by its bright to dark green color and thick, succulent-like stolons that root at the nodes. It forms a lush, dense carpet that is very effective at crowding out most weeds when healthy.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), reaching up to 10mm; blades are flat and folded in the bud (folded vernation) with a distinctive rounded or blunt tip. Color varies from vibrant light green to deep blue-green. The ligule is a short fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes; high thatch-forming tendency due to stolon accumulation; slow to moderate establishment from plugs or sod, but provides excellent sod density once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastal regions of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Africa; adapted to humid tropical and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a thick, dense sod rug.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (4-6 hours minimum); notable for having better shade tolerance than most warm-season grasses. High water requirements; requires regular irrigation to maintain color, though it possesses moderate drought recovery. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height of 2.5 to 4.0 inches; requires weekly mowing during peak summer growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. High maintenance level; prone to thatch buildup needing occasional vertical mowing/dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (ideal for coastal lawns); sensitive to heavy foot traffic (moderate wear tolerance but slow recovery compared to Bermuda); prone to Chinch bugs and Large Patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; provides soil stabilization for coastal sandy zones; low wildlife value beyond cover for small insects; can be invasive in non-managed wetlands in tropical climates; usually grown as a monostand rather than in blends.