St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily 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 brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass that forms a thick sod. It is deep green to blue-green in color with a dense canopy. When unmowed, it produces spike-like seed heads with seeds embedded in a thickened rachis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), folded vernation, rounded or boat-shaped tips, dark green color. It has a short, fringed membranous ligule and no auricles, with a conspicuous constricted collar.
Root System
Fibrous and moderately deep, primarily spreading through robust stolons. High thatch-forming tendency, slow to moderate establishment from plugs or sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf Coast region, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; well-adapted to tropical and subtropical coastal areas
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads aggressively via thick above-ground runners), forming a dense, coarse mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (4-6 hours minimum); excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass. High water needs; prefers moist, well-drained fertile soils with a pH of 5.0 to 8.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches; mow every 7-10 days. Requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year. High maintenance level due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
High salt tolerance (ideal for coastal lawns), good shade tolerance, poor wear tolerance compared to Bermuda, susceptible to Chinch bugs and Gray Leaf Spot.
Ecological Information
Native to coastal regions; provides soil stabilization for sandy coastal areas. Not generally invasive in non-tropical climates; often paired with other warm-season grasses but usually grown as a monostand.