St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10. Sensitive to hard freezes and cold winters. Not suitable for the transition zone north of the deep south.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam (widely planted, coarse texture, deep blue-green color)
About This Grass
Forms a dense, coarse-textured lawn with a blue-green to dark green color. When unmowed, it can grow up to 6-12 inches tall, but is typically maintained at 2.5-4 inches. Spreads vigorously via flat, broad stolons.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are wide (coarse, >4-10mm), flat, with blunt, rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. Collar is broad and continuous.
Root System
Moderate depth fibrous root system with aggressive stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency. Establishes relatively quickly from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, West Indies, and tropical coasts worldwide. Well-adapted to the southern United States and tropical/subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading rapidly via thick above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses, minimum 4 hours of direct sun). High watering needs for optimal color and growth. Moderate drought tolerance, going dormant in severe drought.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches using a rotary mower. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization, frequent watering, and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Good shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, moderate salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas), poor wear tolerance compared to Bermuda, susceptible to chinch bugs and brown patch fungus.
Ecological Information
Introduced to many regions for turf use. Provides limited wildlife value compared to native grasses, though the dense mats offer cover for small insects and ground-dwelling creatures. Serves well for coastal erosion control.