St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (susceptible to freeze damage below 25°F). Enters winter dormancy and loses color in the cooler parts of its range.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Panicae
Variety / Cultivar
'Floratam' (most common wide-bladed cultivar with good drought and insect tolerance)
About This Grass
Forms a lush, dense carpet with a coarse texture. Typically maintained at heights between 2.5 and 4 inches, but can grow taller if unmanaged. Color ranges from medium to dark blue-green during the active growing season, turning brown or straw-colored when dormant in winter. Produces flat, flattened seed stalks bearing a one-sided spike.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse texture with blade widths generally exceeding 5mm to 10mm. Blades are flat with rounded tips, folded vernation in the bud, and lack prominent auricles. The ligule is a fringe of hairs. The collar region is continuous and broad, often continuous with the blade base.
Root System
Moderate to deep fibrous root system originating from nodes along the stolons. Prone to thatch accumulation under high fertility and moisture. Establishes rapidly from sod or plugs. Forms a thick, spongy sod layer that provides moderate wear tolerance but slow recovery from severe damage compared to grasses like Bermuda.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; widely cultivated in warm, humid coastal areas of the southeastern United States
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively via thick above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse-textured turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most warm-season grasses). High watering needs for optimal appearance, especially during dry spells, with moderate drought tolerance allowing it to go dormant under severe dry conditions. Prefers moist, fertile soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches using a rotary mower with sharp blades to prevent tearing. Requires regular mowing weekly during peak growth. Fertilization needs are moderate to high (2 to 5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Maintenance level is medium-high due to watering, mowing, and occasional dethatching needs.
Special Characteristics
Good shade tolerance compared to other warm-season turfgrasses, moderate salt tolerance making it ideal for coastal properties. Fair wear tolerance, but poor recuperative rate from severe traffic damage compared to stoloniferous grasses like Bermuda. Susceptible to chinch bugs, take-all root rot, and large patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced/cultivated species in many regions outside its native coastal habitats. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on sandy coastal soils. Does not typically escape to become invasive, but can outcompete weeds in a well-managed home lawn due to its dense mat-forming growth habit.