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' (most common wide-bladed cultivar with good drought and virus tolerance)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10, sensitive to prolonged freezing temperatures, goes dormant in cooler parts of its range.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, lush carpet with a bright to dark green color. Blades are notably wide and flat with a coarse texture. Typically maintained at 2 to 3 inches.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse (>4mm wide, often 6-9mm), flat, with rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. Collar is continuous and broad.
Root System
Shallow to moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Establishes rapidly from sod, forms a dense sod layer, moderate thatch tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, West Indies, and tropical coastal areas worldwide. Well-adapted to the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous, forming a dense, coarse-textured mat by spreading via above-ground runners.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses). High water needs during establishment, moderate to high ongoing needs. Good drought tolerance through dormancy.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 3.5 inches using a rotary mower. Requires medium-high maintenance, including regular fertilization and irrigation.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance among warm-season grasses, moderate salt tolerance, poor heavy traffic tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia.
Ecological Information
Introduced/naturalized in coastal regions, provides moderate wildlife cover, excellent erosion control on coastal sandy soils.