St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on blade width and color intensity; 'Floratam' is known for its wide blades and coarse texture.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11. Excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance, prone to winter kill in temperatures below 20°F. Goes dormant after the first frost.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass that forms a thick, spongy mat. It maintains a vibrant deep green to blue-green color during the growing season and turns tan-brown during winter dormancy. If unmowed, it can reach 6-12 inches; the seed head is a distinctive thick, flattened spike with small spikelets embedded in one side.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (8-10mm wide), flat to slightly folded, with a prominent midrib and a blunt, rounded 'boat-shaped' tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Color ranges from medium to dark green. The ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent; the collar is continuous and constricted.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. It has a high thatch-forming tendency due to the thick stolons. Establishment is moderate to fast via sod or plugs, providing excellent wear recovery once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; widely used in the Southern United States and tropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads aggressively by thick, creeping above-ground runners (stolons) that root at the nodes to form a dense, carpet-like sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but is one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses (needs 4-6 hours). Requires moderate to high watering; sensitive to drought, showing wilting through folded blades. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintain at 2.5 to 4.0 inches; mowing frequency is weekly during peak summer. Fertilize with 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. Requires periodic dethatching and core aeration to manage heavy stolon buildup. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas), high shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, and excellent ability to crowd out weeds due to its dense growth. Susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (Brown Patch) disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions; provides high soil stabilization and erosion control. Not a significant wildlife food source but provides cover for small insects and reptiles. Often grown as a monoculture, but can be managed alongside larger ornamental trees due to shade tolerance.