St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, and Erosion Control Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam (common for Southern regions)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11. Very poor cold tolerance; will go dormant (brown) and may die in sustained freezing temperatures.
About This Grass
A low-growing, dense turfgrass with a medium-to-dark green color. It has a coarse texture with thick, succulent blades and visible stolons that form a thick, carpet-like mat. Seed heads are distinctive spikes with embedded spikelets.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), folded vernation, rounded or boat-shaped tips. The color is deep green to blue-green. Ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent. Leaves have a distinct constricted collar.
Root System
Relatively shallow but intensive fibrous roots arising from nodes along the stolons. Slow to establish from seed (usually sodded or plugged). High thatch-building potential.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, aggressive above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has excellent shade tolerance (one of the best for warm-season grasses). Requires regular watering; low to moderate drought tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended mowing height: 2.5 to 4.0 inches. Medium maintenance. Needs 4-6 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually and frequent dethatching.
Special Characteristics
High shade tolerance, excellent salt tolerance (salt spray and soil), moderate wear tolerance, but slow recovery from heavy traffic compared to Bermuda.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many coastal areas. Excellent for coastal soil stabilization. Non-invasive in dry inland areas but can spread in moist, subtropical environments.