St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Palmetto or Floratam
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Low cold tolerance with winter dormancy occurring below 50°F and freeze damage possible at temperatures below 20°F.
About This Grass
Forms a lush, dense, coarse-textured turf with broad, flat blades and an apple-green to blue-green color. Mowed height is typically maintained at 2.5 to 4 inches, while unmowed growth can reach 6 to 12 inches with thick, flattened seed stalks.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades greater than 4mm wide (typically 6-9mm), flat shape with blunt or rounded tips, folded in the bud (vernation). Features a membranous ligule with a fringe of hairs, absent or rudimentary auricles, and a continuous collar region.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from nodes along the stolons. Establishes relatively quickly from sod, moderate to high thatch tendency, excellent sod-forming ability.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, coastal areas of the southeastern United States, and tropical regions globally. Well-adapted to the southern United States and tropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun but has the best shade tolerance among warm-season grasses. Requires moderate to high watering and has fair to good drought tolerance by entering dormancy during extreme dryness. Prefers moist, well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches using a sharp rotary mower. Medium maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), periodic dethatching, and consistent watering.
Special Characteristics
Moderate wear and traffic tolerance with fair recovery via stolons. Susceptible to chinch bugs, sod webworms, and fungal diseases like take-all root rot and brown patch. Good salt tolerance, making it ideal for coastal properties.
Ecological Information
Introduced and widely cultivated in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control in sandy coastal soils. Serves limited wildlife habitat value while offering excellent runoff filtration due to dense ground coverage.