St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Palmetto or Floratam
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Sensitive to freezing temperatures and enters dormancy in cooler periods.
About This Grass
Forms a thick, lush carpet of medium-to-coarse texture with a bright to dark green color. Unmowed height can reach 6 to 12 inches. Produces flat, thick seed spikes at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse, 4-10 mm wide, flat with blunt, rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system with aggressive stolons. Moderate thatch-forming tendency and relatively fast establishment from sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, coastal areas, and tropical regions worldwide. Cultivated widely in the Southern United States.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively by flat, above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse-textured turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade, being one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses. Needs regular watering and has moderate-to-high moisture requirements.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches. Requires regular mowing, moderate fertilization, and occasional dethatching. Maintenance level is medium.
Special Characteristics
Good shade tolerance and moderate salt tolerance, but poor wear and heavy traffic tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia.
Ecological Information
Widely used for residential lawns in coastal and southern regions. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control, though generally non-invasive outside managed landscapes.