St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae, Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common (likely Floratam or Palmetto based on leaf width)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-10; poor cold tolerance; will turn brown and go dormant after the first hard frost; thrives in high heat and humidity.
About This Grass
A low-growing, coarse-textured grass with thick, succulent stolons. It is dark green in color and forms a very dense sod. Seed heads are spike-like racemes with seeds embedded in a thickened rachis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades, typically 8-10mm wide; folded in the bud (folded vernation); rounded or boat-shaped tips; smooth surfaces with prominent midrib; ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderate depth, fibrous root system extending from stolon nodes; slow to moderate establishment speed from sod/plugs; low thatch tendency if managed well; good sod density.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Atlantic Ocean coasts, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick creeping runners above ground); forms a dense, coarse mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Preferably full sun but exhibits high shade tolerance (6-8 hours sun); high water requirements; moderate drought tolerance (enters dormancy quickly during dry spells); prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height of 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency during growing season; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; medium maintenance level; needs occasional aeration but rarely dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses; high salt tolerance suitable for coastal areas; poor wear tolerance (slow to recover from heavy traffic); susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (fungus).
Ecological Information
Native to coastal regions of the Americas; provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal environments; can be invasive in some wetland borders; often used as a monoculture turf.