St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' (Standard varieties in Southern US)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy (browns) when temperatures drop below 55°F; lacks a transition zone hardiness.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a thick, spongy feel. It is characterized by its wide, blunt blades and thick stolons. In the image, the grass shows significant dormancy or localized decline, with green patches emerging through a brown thatch layer.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), folded vernation, blunt or rounded boat-shaped tips. Color is typically dark green to blue-green. The ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous roots originating from stolon nodes; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to establish from seed (usually sodded or plugged); excellent sod-forming ability.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and West Africa; adapted to coastal tropical and subtropical regions.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, thick mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs 4-6 hours of sun; high water requirement; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization 2-4 lbs N 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; poor wear tolerance (recovers slowly from heavy traffic); susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; provides soil stabilization in coastal areas; low wildlife value; lacks invasive tendencies in dry areas but can dominate moist landscapes; often grown as a mono-stand.