St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 10; poor cold tolerance; enters winter dormancy and loses color in cooler northern areas of its range
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Variety / Cultivar
Commonly 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto', known for broad blades and blue-green color
About This Grass
Coarse-textured, dense, low-growing turf with flat, broad blades and blunt tips; forms a thick sod with significant thatch potential; reaches 2 to 3 inches when maintained, taller if unmowed
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), flat shape, rounded/blunt tips, bluish-green to dark green color, folded in the bud (vernation), membranous ligule often reduced to a fringe of hairs, continuous collar, absent auricles
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from thick stolons; rapid establishment from sod; high thatch tendency if over-fertilized; poor deep-drought tolerance without irrigation
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, coastal areas, and tropical regions globally; well-adapted to warm, humid climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous, forming a thick, dense mat with above-ground runners
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (most shade-tolerant warm-season grass); requires regular watering (1 inch per week); moderate drought tolerance with dormancy; prefers moist, fertile soils with neutral to slightly acidic pH
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height 2.5 to 4 inches; high maintenance regarding water and pest control; fertilization 2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; regular dethatching needed due to heavy stolon production
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance in optimal conditions but slow to recover from severe damage compared to Bermuda; susceptible to chinch bugs and take-all root rot; good salt spray tolerance; poor cold resistance
Ecological Information
Introduced/cultivated in warm coastal regions; provides good erosion control on sandy coastal soils; excellent ground cover; limited wildlife value compared to native prairie grasses