St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
'Floratam' (or similar common coarse warm-season cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10. Sensitive to hard freezes; goes dormant and turns brown in cooler winter regions.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, coarse-textured, blue-green to dark green carpet-like turf. Spreads rapidly via thick stolons with short internodes. Can grow quite tall if left unmowed (up to 6-12 inches), but typically maintained low.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse (>4mm wide, often 8-10mm), flat, with blunt, rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Forms a heavy thatch layer over time if not managed. Establishes rapidly from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, West Indies, and tropical regions worldwide. Best adapted to coastal, tropical, and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively by above-ground runners (stolons) to form a thick, coarse turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has the best shade tolerance among warm-season grasses. High water requirements during active growth, with moderate drought tolerance (enters dormancy under severe drought). Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches high. High mowing height is critical for health and weed suppression. Requires moderate to high fertility (2-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Medium-high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Good shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, moderate salt tolerance, poor heavy-traffic tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia. Recovers moderately from stolon spread.
Ecological Information
Introduced and widely cultivated in southern residential lawns. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal areas. Can become weedy if it invades flower beds via aggressive stolons.