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 commonality and blade density
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy (turns brown) when soil temperatures drop below 55°F; prone to winter kill in northern transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a vibrant medium to dark green color. It forms a thick, spongy sod and produces short, thick flowering stalks with spike-like seed heads hidden within the foliage.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), folded vernation, rounded or boat-shaped tips, flat blades, short fringe-like hairy ligule, and no auricles. The collar is typically continuous and constricted.
Root System
Fibrous and moderate depth; spreads primarily through thick stolons; moderate thatch tendency; relatively slow establishment from plugs or sod; good wear recovery but poor traffic tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and West Africa; adapted to subtropical and tropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via aggressive above-ground runners), forming a dense, coarse mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (4-6 hours minimum); higher shade tolerance than many warm-season grasses; high water needs (approx. 1 inch per week); moderate drought tolerance; prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4.0 inches; frequency every 5-7 days during peak growth; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance; susceptible to Large Patch (fungus) and Chinch Bugs; poor tolerance for high traffic/foot wear.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in many coastal ecosystems; provides erosion control in sandy soils; non-invasive in non-tropical climates; often grown as a monoculture but can coexist with Centipede or Bermuda in transition patches.