St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or Floratam-like variety
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when temperatures drop below 55°F consistently.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass that forms a dense, spongy carpet. It features a medium to dark green color and thick, succulent stems. Seed heads are spike-like with seeds embedded on one side of a flattened rachis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), folded vernation, rounded or boat-shaped tips, flat shape, fringe of hairs for a ligule, absent auricles, and a distinct constricted collar.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively shallow, but supported by extensive stolons; moderate thatch tendency; slow to moderate establishment from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; well-adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads aggressively via thick above-ground runners/stolons), mat-forming
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (best shade tolerance among warm-season grasses); needs 4-6 hours of sun; moderate to high water needs; moderate drought tolerance; prefers pH 5.0-8.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5–4.0 inches; weekly frequency; 2–4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; medium maintenance level; needs occasional vertical mowing to manage thatch.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); poor wear tolerance due to succulent nature; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (fungus).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Native to coastal tropics; excellent for soil stabilization in sandy coastal areas; low wildlife value; not considered invasive in managed lawns but can escape in moist climates.