St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8B–11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown below 40°F; susceptible to winter kill in northern transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass with wide blades and a vibrant blue-green color. It forms a thick carpet that crowds out weeds and stays green throughout the growing season in warm climates.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), folded vernation, rounded or boat-shaped tips, short membranous ligule with a fringe of hairs, no auricles, and a broad, compressed collar.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolons; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment from plugs or sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Gulf of Mexico, West Indies, and West Africa; adapted to humid tropical and subtropical regions
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads by vigorous 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 4-6 hours sun; high water requirement; moderate drought tolerance; prefers acidic to neutral pH (5.0-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5–4 inches; frequency weekly during peak growth; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance due to water and pest monitoring.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas); poor wear tolerance due to slow recovery; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in US; provides coastal soil stabilization; moderate wildlife value for cover; can be invasive in sensitive wetland margins; usually grown as a monostand.