St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10, sensitive to hard freezes, goes dormant and turns brown in winter in cooler parts of its range.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Variety / Cultivar
'Palmetto' or 'Floratam' (common cultivars known for texture and color variations)
About This Grass
Forms a dense, coarse-textured lawn with flat, broad blades and blunt tips. Light to medium green color, growing upright from thick stolons. Height ranges from 2 to 3 inches when maintained.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades greater than 4mm wide, flat shape, rounded or blunt tips, light to medium green color, folded vernation in the bud, continuous collar, very short membranous ligule with a fringe of hairs, and absent auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Moderate thatch tendency, fast establishment from sod or plugs, good wear recovery via stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, coastal areas, and tropical regions worldwide; well-adapted to the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a thick, coarse turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade tolerance (better shade tolerance than most warm-season grasses). High water needs during active growth, moderate drought tolerance, enters dormancy under prolonged drought.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches high. High maintenance level requiring regular mowing, moderate to high fertilization (2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), frequent watering, and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance, moderate salt tolerance, poor traffic/wear tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia, susceptible to chinch bugs and large patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced/cultivated across southern coastal regions, provides moderate soil stabilization and erosion control, minimal wildlife value as a managed turf lawn.