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 (likely based on coarse blade and wide stolons shown)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11. Poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown after the first hard frost. Does not tolerate sustained freezing temperatures well.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass that forms a thick, spongy sod. It maintains a deep blue-green to medium green color. Unmowed, it can reach 6-12 inches; maintained, it is thick and dense. Seed heads are inconspicuous spikes with seeds embedded on one side of a flattened rachis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (8-10mm), flat shape with a distinct boat-shaped or rounded tip. Color is light to dark emerald green. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent. The leaf sheath is greatly compressed and flattened.
Root System
Extensive fibrous root system emerging primarily from stolon nodes. Moderate depth; can form significant thatch. Establishment speed is moderate to fast from sod or plugs but cannot be established from seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; well-adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads aggressively via thick, above-ground runners/stolons); forms a dense, carpet-like mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (4-6 hours minimum). It is the most shade-tolerant of the warm-season grasses. High water needs; poor drought tolerance compared to Bermuda, requiring regular irrigation during dry spells. Prefers well-drained, sandy soils with pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches. Mowing frequency is weekly during peak growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. High maintenance level due to water and pest monitoring requirements.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (excellent for coastal lawns); low wear tolerance (does not handle heavy foot traffic well); susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch disease.
Ecological Information
Native to coastal regions of the Americas and Africa. Effective for soil stabilization in coastal zones. Generally not invasive in non-tropical environments due to cold sensitivity. Often used as a mono-stand rather than in mixes.