St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common St. Augustine (likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on blade width and dark green color)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance, turns dormant below 55°F and can suffer winter kill in Zone 7.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turf with a dark green hue. It forms a dense sod that crowds out most weeds and remains relatively flat but can reach 6-12 inches if left unmowed. In autumn, it enters dormancy and turns tan.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (>4mm wide), 4-10 inches long, flat with rounded or 'boat-shaped' tips. Vernation is folded in the bud; the ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. It forms heavy thatch and has moderate establishment speed but excellent sod density.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Gulf of Mexico, West Indies, and West Africa. Widely grown in Southeast US, Texas, and California.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads aggressively via thick above-ground stolons), forming a dense, coarse mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial shade to full sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses). High water requirement; poor drought tolerance compared to Bermuda.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintain at 2.5 to 4.0 inches. Fertilize with 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft annually. Requires moderate maintenance and frequent watering during dry spells.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance, high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas), and high traffic tolerance. Susceptible to Chinch bugs and Gray Leaf Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control. Often blended with other cultivars but usually grown as a monostand.