St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
'Floratam', a widely used cultivar known for its coarse texture, blue-green color, and resistance to St. Augustine Decline (SAD) virus.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Low cold tolerance, goes dormant and can suffer freeze damage below freezing temperatures.
About This Grass
Coarse-textured, dense, low-growing turfgrass with flat blades and a bright green to blue-green color. Forms a thick mat that crowds out weeds. Seed heads are flattened spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (>4mm wide), flat with rounded tips, rolled in the bud (vernation), smooth texture, prominent collar region with a fringe of hairs representing the ligule, and lacking auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from nodes along the stolons. Establishes quickly from sod, forms a dense sod, and exhibits moderate thatch-forming tendencies.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide. Well-adapted to the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, carpet-like turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most warm-season grasses). High watering needs for optimal appearance, moderate drought tolerance by entering dormancy during dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 3.5 inches high. Requires regular mowing during growing season, medium-high fertilization schedule, and occasional dethatching. Medium-high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Good shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, moderate salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas), poor traffic/wear tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia, slow to recover from severe damage.
Ecological Information
Introduced/naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on coastal sites. Moderate wildlife value for ground-nesting birds and insects.