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' (indicated by coarse blade width and stolon vigor)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown below 40-50°F; susceptible to winter kill in northern transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass with a creeping habit. It is known for its wide blades and deep blue-green color, maintaining a thick sod that crowds out most weeds.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), folded vernation, rounded or blunt tips, medium to dark green color, smooth texture; ligule is a fringe of short hairs, auricles are absent.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively shallow compared to Bermuda, but bolstered by thick stolons; moderate thatch tendency; slow to moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Mediterranean, Gulf of Mexico, and West Indies; adapted to humid tropical and subtropical regions
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners); forms a dense, carpet-like mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (most shade-tolerant warm-season grass); requires 4-5 hours of direct sun; high water needs; moderate drought tolerance but recovers poorly from prolonged wilting.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency; 4-6 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annual fertilization; high maintenance level due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); poor wear tolerance due to succulent stolons; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions; provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal areas; low wildlife value in managed turf; can be invasive in sensitive wetlands if escaped.