St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common St. Augustine (likely, based on the medium-green color and coarse texture shown)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11. Excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance. Enters brown dormancy when temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with wide blades and a creeping habit. It forms a dense, spongy mat that is deep green during the growing season. Seed heads are inconspicuous, appearing as small spikes along a flattened stem (rachis).
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), folded vernation, distinct rounded/obtuse tips. The color is life-to-medium green. Blades are smooth with a slight crease down the center. Ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent; collar is continuous and narrowed.
Root System
Abundant fibrous roots originating from stolon nodes; moderate depth. It has a high thatch-forming tendency and moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs. Forms a thick, dense sod layer.
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)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs at least 4-5 hours of sun. Requires moderate to high watering; poor performance in extremely dry, non-irrigated soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches. Mowing frequency: weekly. Fertilizer: 3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. 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), moderate wear tolerance, but slow to recover from heavy damage compared to Bermuda grass.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US. Provides soil stabilization but can be invasive in native coastal habitats. Companion grasses are rare as it typically forms a monoculture due to its density.