St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or 'Floratam' (based on blade width and color)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass that forms a thick, carpet-like sod. It is deep green to blue-green in color and maintains color longer into the fall than other warm-season grasses. Seed heads are inconspicuous spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (>4mm width), flat/folded, with a distinct rounded or 'boat-shaped' tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system; high thatch-forming tendency due to stolon density; establishment is fast via sod or plugs but not seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Africa; best in tropical and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, thick mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses). Requires 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate to high water needs; low to moderate drought tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 3.0 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization of 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance level due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); poor wear tolerance; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal areas; low wildlife value; can be invasive in non-managed southern landscapes.