St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paspaleae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on blade width and growth density
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown after the first hard frost
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass with a vibrant medium-to-dark green color. It forms a thick carpet that crowds out weeds and stays green longer into the fall than other warm-season grasses. Seed heads are inconspicuous spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), flat shape with a distinctively rounded or 'boat-shaped' tip; folded vernation in the bud; short, fringe-like hairy ligule; no auricles; broad, continuous collar
Root System
Relatively shallow to moderate fibrous root system arising from thick stolons; prone to heavy thatch buildup; establishes relatively quickly via sod or plugs
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners), forming a dense, coarse mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs 4-5 hours of sun; moderate to high water needs; moderate drought tolerance but wilts visibly under stress
Mowing & Maintenance
Height: 2.5–4 inches; frequency: weekly during peak growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; high maintenance due to water and dethatching needs
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); low wear tolerance (does not handle heavy traffic well); susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch disease
Ecological Information
Native to coastal environments; provides soil stabilization for sandy soils; non-invasive in most managed landscapes but can escape in tropical riparian zones; often grown as a mono-stand