St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Low cold tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia; suffers freeze damage below 25°F. Goes dormant in cooler limits of its range.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, dense turfgrass with broad flat blades, blue-green to dark green in color. Forms a thick, spongy turf when properly maintained. Unmowed height reaches 6 to 12 inches. Produces flat, spike-like seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse, greater than 4mm wide (typically 6-10mm), flat with blunt, rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. Collar is broad and continuous.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Prone to thatch accumulation under high fertility and moisture. Establishes rapidly from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; widely cultivated in the Southern United States and tropical climates worldwide.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively via thick above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse-textured sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses). High water needs, moderate to low drought tolerance, going dormant or dying back under severe prolonged drought. Prefers moist, well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches high. Requires frequent mowing during the growing season. High fertilizer needs (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Medium to high maintenance level, requiring regular watering and pest control.
Special Characteristics
Moderate wear tolerance with slow recovery due to above-ground stolons. Susceptible to chinch bugs, take-all root rot, and brown patch. Good salt tolerance. Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass.
Ecological Information
Introduced/cultivated across many tropical and subtropical regions. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal areas. Limited wildlife food value compared to native grasses.