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' based on commonality and blade width
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when temperatures drop below freezing.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass that forms a dense, thick mat. It is bright to dark green in color and holds its color well into the fall.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), folded in the bud, blunt/rounded tips, smooth edges with a prominent midrib, and a short hairy ligule.
Root System
Fibrous and moderately deep, primarily spreading through a thick layer of surface stolons; low thatch tendency if managed correctly.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Western Mediterranean; best in USDA 8-11
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads aggressively above ground via thick, creeping runners
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires moderate to high water; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly under severe stress.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; weekly mowing; 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance level due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; poor traffic tolerance; moderate salt tolerance; prone to Chinch bugs and Gray Leaf Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many southern regions; provides soil stabilization; not generally considered invasive in managed lawn settings.