St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' (Standard broad-leaf turf type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance (prone to winter kill below 20°F); goes dormant and turns tan in freezing temperatures.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turf grass with a medium to dark green color. It forms a dense mat that crowds out weeds. It features thick, fleshy stolons and compress-flattened stems.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (>4mm wide), flat, with a distinct rounded or blunt tip. Color varies from bright green to deep blue-green. Vernation is folded; the ligule is a short fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous and narrow.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment speed; good wear recovery but poor traffic tolerance compared to Bermuda.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via aggressive above-ground runners/stolons); forms a thick, dense carpet-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs at least 4-5 hours of sun; moderate to high water needs; moderate drought tolerance but wilt-prone without irrigation.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 2.5 to 4.0 inches; frequency every 7-10 days; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance level; requires regular dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (ideal for coastal lawns); susceptible to Large Patch (fungus) and Chinch Bugs; poor traffic tolerance.
Ecological Information
Native to coastal regions of the Americas and Africa; excellent soil stabilizer for sandy coastal soils; low wildlife value in turf form; can be invasive in sensitive wetland ecosystems if escaped.