St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Commonly 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto', noted for coarser texture and superior color or shade tolerance respectively.
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (goes dormant and may suffer winter injury below freezing).
About This Grass
Forms a lush, dense carpet with relatively coarse, flat blades. Color ranges from bright light green to blue-green. Unmowed height can reach 6 to 12 inches, but typically maintained lower. Produces a flattened spike-like seed head at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse texture with wide blades (typically 4-10 mm), flat shape, rounded or blunt tips, folded vernation in the bud, prominent collar region with a fringe of hairs serving as a ligule, and no auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system spreading from stolons. Prone to thatch accumulation if over-fertilized. Moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide. Well-adapted to the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to moderate shade (more shade tolerant than most warm-season grasses). Needs regular watering (1 inch per week) and has moderate drought tolerance, entering dormancy during severe dry spells. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches. Mowing frequency is weekly during the growing season. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization, occasional dethatching, and monitoring for pests like chinch bugs.
Special Characteristics
Moderate to low wear/traffic tolerance due to fleshy stolons. Good salt tolerance, making it popular for coastal areas. Moderate shade tolerance for a warm-season grass. Recovers moderately well from drought through stolon growth.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions. Provides ground cover and erosion control, especially in sandy coastal soils. Low wildlife food value compared to native grasses, primarily functions as managed turf.