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 (coarse texture, bright green color, susceptible to chinch bugs)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Sensitive to hard frosts and prolonged freezing temperatures, going dormant in cooler parts of its range.
About This Grass
Forms a thick, lush, carpet-like turf with a coarse texture and bright to blue-green color. Mowed height typically ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches. Produces flat, thick seed spikes at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse-textured blades (>5mm wide), flat with blunt or rounded tips, folded in the bud (vernation), light green to blue-green color, with a prominent midrib. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, auricles are absent, and the collar is continuous.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Forms a moderate to heavy thatch layer. Fast establishment from sod, moderate from plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions along the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; widely cultivated in the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading rapidly via thick surface runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse turf mat.
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 entering dormancy during severe dry spells. Prefers moist, fertile soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2.5 to 4 inches. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (2 to 5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), frequent watering, and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Poor traffic and wear tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia. Susceptible to chinch bugs, take-all root rot, and sod webworms. Excellent salt tolerance, making it popular in coastal areas.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in tropical/subtropical regions. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal environments. Low wildlife food value compared to native grasses.