St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or 'Floratam' type; identified by its coarse texture and wide blades which are typical of the species, often found in residential lawns in the southern US.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance (damaged below 20°F); turns brown/dormant after first hard frost; excellent heat tolerance.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a deep blue-green to medium green color. It forms a thick, spongy sod and features a characteristic blunt, rounded leaf tip and thick stolons. Seed heads are inconspicuous, spike-like racemes embedded in a flattened rachis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (8-10mm), flat shape with a blunt/rounded boat-shaped tip. Leaf color is medium to dark green. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligules are a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes; low to moderate thatch tendency; relatively fast establishment from sod or plugs; excellent sod-forming capability for erosion control.
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 via thick, creeping above-ground runners (stolons) that root at nodes to form a dense, carpet-like mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); requires at least 4-5 hours of direct sun. High water needs; low drought tolerance compared to Bermuda grass; prefers well-drained fertile soils with pH 5.0-8.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 2.5 to 4.0 inches; frequency every 5-7 days during peak growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Medium maintenance level; requires monitoring for Chinch bugs and Gray Leaf Spot.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); moderate wear tolerance but slow to recover from heavy traffic; poor cold hardiness.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions; provides high soil stabilization; helps in water filtration due to dense sod; not typically considered invasive in managed landscapes; provides cover for small invertebrates.