St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Generic/Unknown (Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on coarse texture)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy below 55°F; prone to winter kill in northern transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass that forms a thick sod. It maintains a medium-to-dark green color throughout the growing season but goes dormant (turns brown) after the first hard frost. It features thick, fleshy stolons and broad blades.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (8-10mm); flat shape with a distinct rounded/obtuse tip; medium to dark green; folded vernation; fringe of hairs for a ligule; auricles absent; constricted collar.
Root System
Relatively shallow fibrous root system emanating from stolon nodes; moderate thatch tendency; moderately slow establishment from sprigs/plugs; low-to-moderate drought tolerance due to shallow roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, West Indies, and Western Africa; well-adapted to tropical and subtropical coastal climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads predominantly via aggressive above-ground runners/stolons); forms a thick, dense mat when healthy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has the best shade tolerance among warm-season grasses (needs 4-6 hours direct sun); high water requirement; prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soils with pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended mowing height of 2.5-4.0 inches; weekly frequency; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance level for density; susceptible to Thatch buildup.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to Bermuda; excellent salt tolerance (coastal adapted); poor traffic tolerance (stolons easily crushed); prone to Chinch bugs and Large Patch (Rhizoctonia).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many areas; provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal areas; low wildlife value in manicured turf; requires significant water/fertilizer inputs which can impact local runoff.