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. Susceptible to frost damage and enters dormancy with winter temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Panicae
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam (coarse texture, bright green color, fast-growing, widely planted in southern regions)
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing warm-season turfgrass that forms a dense, carpet-like sod. Has a bright blue-green to dark green color in summer, going into winter dormancy in cooler parts of its range. Mows cleanly and maintains a dense sward when properly managed.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse (greater than 4mm wide), flat, with rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from nodes on the stolons. Forms a moderate to heavy thatch layer. Establishes rapidly from sod or plugs. Moderate drought tolerance, relying on stolons for lateral recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, coastal areas of the southeastern United States, Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide. Performs best in hot, humid climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreading aggressively via above-ground runners or stolons), forming a thick, dense turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun, but is notably the most shade-tolerant of all warm-season turfgrasses (requires a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight). High water requirements during active growth, with moderate drought tolerance by entering dormancy. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4.0 inches. Mowed frequently during the growing season. High fertilizer requirements (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Requires periodic dethatching due to heavy stolon production. Maintenance level is medium-high.
Special Characteristics
Moderate wear tolerance compared to bermudagrass or zoysiagrass. Good salt tolerance (often used in coastal environments). Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass. Susceptible to chinch bugs, take-all root rot, and large patch disease.
Ecological Information
Widely introduced and naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal areas. Low wildlife food value due to tough foliage, but offers cover. Can become invasive in moist tropical habitats.