St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Coastal Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Low cold tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown with the first hard frost.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Variety / Cultivar
'Floratam', a widely planted cultivar known for its coarse texture, blue-green color, and resistance to St. Augustine Decline (SAD) virus.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, coarse-textured turf with flat, broad blades and a bright green to blue-green color. Tolerates lower light levels better than many other warm-season grasses. Height when maintained is typically 2.5 to 3 inches, but can grow much taller if left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse (greater than 4mm wide), flat, with rounded, blunt tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Collars are continuous and often broad.
Root System
Shallow to moderately deep fibrous root system originating from thick, branching stolons. Tends to build up thatch quickly if over-fertilized. Establishes rapidly from sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions along the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean coasts; well-adapted to coastal areas in the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous (spreading via above-ground runners) and forming a thick, coarse sod with moderate to fast spread.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than Bermuda or Zoysia). Moderate to high watering needs; moderate drought tolerance entering dormancy during severe dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches using a rotary mower. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization, frequent watering, and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent salt tolerance making it ideal for coastal lawns. Poor wear and traffic tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia. Susceptible to chinch bugs, sod webworms, and large patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal sandy soils. High wildlife value for coastal ecosystems.