St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or 'Palmetto' (likely based on density and color)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-10; poor cold tolerance; turns brown/dormant when soil temperatures drop below 55°F; susceptible to winter kill in northern transition zones.
About This Grass
A low-growing, coarse-textured turfgrass with a lush, carpet-like appearance. It maintains a medium-to-dark green color during the growing season. Seed heads are inconspicuous, appearing as short, thick spikes (racemes) with seeds embedded on one side.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (8-10mm wide), flat with a rounded or blunt tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligules are a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent. The collar region is broad and constricted.
Root System
Relatively shallow fibrous root system emanating from stolon nodes; produces significant thatch; slow-to-moderate establishment speed; good wear recovery but poor drought dormancy compared to Bermuda.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Africa; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads primarily via robust above-ground runners (stolons) that form a dense, thick mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires Full Sun to Moderate Shade (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses). Needs 4-6 hours of sun. High water requirements; requires regular irrigation to prevent wilting during dry periods. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height: 2.5 to 4.0 inches. Frequency: weekly during peak growth. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually. High maintenance; prone to thatch buildup requiring vertical mowing and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); poor traffic tolerance due to fleshy stolons; susceptible to Chinch bugs and Large Patch (fungus).
Ecological Information
Introduced/naturalized in the US; provide minimal wildlife forage but offers excellent soil stabilization and erosion control on coastal dunes and lawns; non-invasive in non-tropical climates.