St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10; susceptible to cold damage below freezing temperatures.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, coarse-textured lawn with broad, flat blades and blunt tips. Light to dark green color, turning dormant and straw-colored during winter freezes.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (>4mm wide), flat shape with blunt/rounded tips, folded vernation in the bud, continuous ligule of hairs, broad collar region with absent auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes; forms a thick thatch layer rapidly; moderate establishment speed from plugs or sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions near the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean; widely cultivated in the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous, forming a thick, coarse-textured, mat-like turf via above-ground runners.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses); high watering needs for optimal appearance; moderate drought tolerance by entering dormancy.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height of 2.5 to 4 inches; medium maintenance level requiring regular mowing, frequent watering, and moderate fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually).
Special Characteristics
Moderate wear tolerance; poor traffic recovery compared to Bermuda; good salt tolerance; highly susceptible to chinch bugs and large patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced in many non-native regions; provides ground cover and erosion control in coastal areas; limited wildlife value compared to native prairie grasses.