St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Low cold tolerance, damaged by hard frosts. Excellent heat tolerance. Not suitable for the transition zone unless protected from extreme winter cold.
About This Grass
Forms a lush, dense, coarse-textured turf with broad, flat blades. Bright to dark green color. Height ranges from 2 to 3 inches when maintained. Can grow up to 6 inches or more if left unmowed. Produces flat, spike-like seed heads at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), flat shape, rounded to bluntly pointed tips, light to medium green color, folded in the bud (vernation). Membranous ligule with a fringe of hairs, absent auricles, and a continuous collar.
Root System
Moderate to deep fibrous root system combined with vigorous stolons. Tends to form a moderate amount of thatch. Fast establishment from sod or plugs. Good wear recovery via stolons, but moderate drought tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide. Thrives in warm, coastal areas.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading rapidly by above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in Full Sun to Partial Shade (more shade tolerant than most warm-season grasses). Requires moderate to high watering and regular rainfall or irrigation. Poor to moderate drought tolerance, entering dormancy in severe dry spells. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Mow every 7 to 14 days during the growing season. Requires 2 to 4 lbs of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Medium-high maintenance level due to watering, pest management, and mowing needs.
Special Characteristics
Moderate traffic and wear tolerance (lower than Bermuda or Zoysia). Susceptible to chinch bugs, take-all root rot, and sod webworms. Good salt tolerance, making it ideal for coastal properties. Moderate shade tolerance. Excellent erosion control in sandy coastal soils.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions. Provides habitat and cover for small insects and ground-dwelling wildlife. Good soil stabilization on coastal dunes and slopes. Forms a dense monoculture that naturally suppresses many weeds.