St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn, Turf, and Coastal Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam / Palmetto (likely common cultivar based on wide blade and color)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; turns brown and dormant when temperatures consistently drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, coarse-textured grass with a creeping habit. It forms a thick, spongy sod. Color is typically medium to dark green and holds well under moderate salt spray. Seed heads are inconspicuous, spike-like racemes.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse (8-10mm wide), flat blades with a distinctly rounded or blunt tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent; collar is broad and continuous.
Root System
Relatively shallow fibrous root system primarily arising from stolon nodes; high thatch-forming tendency; moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, thick mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but is among the most shade-tolerant of warm-season grasses; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun. High water needs; poor drought tolerance compared to Bermuda.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height 2.5-4.0 inches; weekly mowing. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft/year. Requires regular dethatching and aeration. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent salt tolerance for coastal environments; moderate traffic tolerance (though slow to recover from heavy wear); susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (rhizoctonia).
Ecological Information
Native to coastal Americas; provides good soil stabilization in sandy areas; low wildlife food value but provides cover; non-invasive in non-tropical zones but can escape in wetlands.