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', 'Floratam', or 'CitraBlue'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10, sensitive to hard frosts and prolonged freezing temperatures.
About This Grass
Forms a thick, coarse-textured lawn with bright green to blue-green blades. Typically maintained at 2.5 to 3 inches in height, but can grow much taller if left unmowed. Shows distinct coarse leaf texture and mat-forming density.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse leaf blades (>4mm wide), flat shape, rounded to slightly pointed tips, bright green to blue-green color, folded vernation in the bud, short membranous ligule, and absent auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Forms a thick thatch layer easily if over-fertilized. Moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions along the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; widely used in the southern United States and tropical climates worldwide.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively by above-ground runners (stolons) to form a thick, coarse, carpet-like turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses). Needs regular watering (1 inch per week) and has moderate drought tolerance, entering dormancy during prolonged dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches using a sharp rotary mower. Medium maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), periodic dethatching, and weed control.
Special Characteristics
Good shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, moderate salt tolerance (ideal for coastal regions), poor heavy-traffic wear tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia.
Ecological Information
Introduced to many regions for landscaping. Provides moderate wildlife value as cover. Can become invasive in tropical and subtropical moist natural habitats.