St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Floratam-like; exact cultivar unidentified, exhibits characteristics of standard lawn varieties.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11. Excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance. Goes dormant (turns brown) when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
Large, coarse-textured grass with a creeping habit. It features a medium to dark green color and forms a thick carpet. It remains relatively low to the ground and produces spike-like seed heads on short stalks at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), blades are flat and wide with a distinctly rounded/obtuse tip. Vernation is folded. Color is vibrant green to blue-green. Ligules are short and fringe-like (hairy); auricles are absent. The collar is constricted.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively shallow to moderate depth. High thatch tendency due to thick stolon production. Moderate establishment speed via sod or plugs (rarely by seed).
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastal regions of the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean; well-adapted to humid subtropical regions.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads aggressively via thick above-ground runners), forming a dense, coarse mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade (highly shade tolerant for a warm-season grass). Needs 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate to high water needs; moderate drought tolerance but requires irrigation during dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height: 2.5 to 4.0 inches. Medium frequency; fertilization: 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. High maintenance level due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance among warm-season grasses. High salt tolerance (suitable for coastal areas). Poor wear tolerance due to succulent stolons that crush easily; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (fungus).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions. Provides thick ground cover for soil stabilization and filtration. Not considered highly invasive in managed landscapes but can crowd out other species. Often used as a mono-stand rather than in mixes.