St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season perennial, C4 metabolism
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or 'Floratam' type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, coarse-textured grass that forms a thick carpet. It features a blue-green to dark green color, maintaining density well in moist soils. Seed heads are spike-like racemes with seeds embedded in a thickened, flattened stem (rachis).
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (up to 10mm), flat shape with a distinctively rounded or 'boat-shaped' blunt tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; the ligule is a fringe of short hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar is narrow and continuous.
Root System
Abundant fibrous roots originating from stolon nodes; moderate depth; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment speed from sod/plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads aggressively via thick above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (4-6 hours minimum); high water requirements; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture; prefers well-drained slightly acidic to neutral soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 2.5 to 4.0 inches; frequency every 7-14 days; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to thatch and pest monitoring.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); poor wear tolerance; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and St. Augustine Decline (SAD) virus.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions; provides soil stabilization in coastal sandy areas; low wildlife forage value; can be invasive in sensitive wetlands if not managed.