St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on blade width and color
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when temperatures drop below 55°F; very high heat tolerance.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a distinctively wide blade and thick stolons. It maintains a deep blue-green color throughout the growing season and produces short, spike-like seed heads called racemes.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), folded in the bud (vernation), rounded/obtuse boat-shaped tip, dark green to blue-green color. Features a short, fringed membranous ligule and no auricles (clasping appendages).
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment speed; excellent sod density.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean, and West Africa
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreading via thick, above-ground runners); forms a dense, carpet-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (prefers 4-6 hours minimum); high watering needs; moderate drought tolerance but prone to wilting during dry spells; prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 5.0-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 2.5-4.0 inches; weekly frequency; requires 2-4 lbs of N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to water and pest management needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses; high salt tolerance (coastal suitable); low traffic/wear tolerance; susceptible to Chinch bugs and Gray Leaf Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the Southern US; provides soil stabilization in coastal marshes; invasive potential in sensitive wetland ecosystems but generally stays within managed landscapes.