St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on blade width and color
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns tan/brown when temperatures drop below 55°F consistently
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with wide blades and a deep blue-green to medium green color. It forms a thick, spongy sod and has a relatively fast horizontal growth rate through stolons.
Blade Characteristics
Width: Coarse (>8mm wide); Shape: Flat; Tip: Rounded/Blunt; Color: Medium to dark green; Vernation: Folded; Ligule: Fringe of hairs; Auricles: Absent; Collar: Continuous and narrow
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous roots arising from nodes along stolons; creates significant thatch; slow to establish from seed (usually sodded or plugged); poor wear recovery if heavily damaged
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the North and South America and West Africa; thrives in subtropical and tropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, above-ground runners), forming a dense, coarse mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs minimum 4-5 hours of sun; moderate to high water needs; moderate drought tolerance
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 2.5 to 4.0 inches; Frequency: Weekly during growing season; Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; Requires periodic dethatching; Maintenance Level: Medium
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas); susceptible to Chinch bugs and Gray Leaf Spot; poor traffic tolerance
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions; provides high soil stabilization; can be invasive in non-native wetland margins; often grown as a monoculture but may host various lawn-dwelling insects