St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
'Floratam' (or similar coarse-textured cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10, sensitive to heavy frost and cold temperatures
About This Grass
Forms a dense, coarse turf with flat, broad blades and a vibrant blue-green to dark green color; spreads rapidly via above-ground runners (stolons)
Blade Characteristics
Coarse texture with wide blades greater than 4mm, blunt or rounded tips, folded vernation in the bud, and broad collar region
Root System
Shallow to moderately deep fibrous root system with thick, robust stolons rooting at the nodes; moderate thatch tendency
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical coastal regions globally, widely cultivated in the southern United States
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous, forming a thick, coarse-textured mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has the best shade tolerance among warm-season grasses; requires regular watering and moderate to high moisture
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 3.5 inches; high maintenance level requiring regular fertilization, watering, and occasional weed or pest management
Special Characteristics
Moderate salt tolerance, poor wear tolerance compared to Bermuda, excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass
Ecological Information
Introduced in many regions for utility turf; provides dense ground cover for erosion control and modest wildlife habitat in coastal residential ecosystems