St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on blade width and stolon prominence
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when temperatures drop below 55°F consistently.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a deep blue-green to emerald green color. It forms a thick sod through aggressive stolon growth. Seed heads are spike-like racemes with seeds embedded in a thickened rachis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), folded vernation, rounded or blunt tips, smooth texture with a wide collar region, and a short hairy ligule; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment from plugs or sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; well-adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners); forms a dense, coarse mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (requires at least 4-6 hours); moderate to high water needs; good drought tolerance once established but prefers moist, well-drained soils; pH 5.0-8.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2.5 to 4.0 inches; frequency every 7-10 days; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; medium to high maintenance due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance; poor wear tolerance compared to Bermuda; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (Rhizoctonia).
Ecological Information
Native to coastal coastal areas; provides soil stabilization in sandy regions; can be invasive in non-native wetland margins; often blended with other warm-season grasses in low-traffic landscapes.