St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on blade width and stolon presence
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy below 55°F; highly heat tolerant.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass that forms a thick, carpet-like sod. It has a medium to dark green color and remains green in winter in frost-free regions, but turns brown and dormant in cold climates.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), folded vernation, rounded or boat-shaped tips, smooth texture, short fringe of hairs for a ligule, and no auricles. Blades are opposite on the stolons.
Root System
Primarily stoloniferous with a shallow to moderate fibrous root system that develops from nodes along the stolons; high thatch accumulation; relatively slow establishment from plugs or sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Africa; well-adapted to USDA zones 8-11
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via aggressive above-ground runners), forming a dense, coarse mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); high water requirements; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly mowing; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance; poor wear/traffic tolerance due to leaf thickness and slow recovery; prone to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch disease.
Ecological Information
Commonly used for erosion control in coastal areas; non-invasive in most upland settings but can displace native vegetation in moist coastal habitats; often grown as a monoculture.