St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-10; high heat tolerance but low cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown during frost.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a dark green color. It forms a dense turf that crowds out weeds and stays green throughout the warm season.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), folded vernation, rounded or blunt tips, smooth texture with a distinct midrib and no auricles.
Root System
Fibrous and stoloniferous roots of moderate depth; forms heavy thatch and establishes quickly through sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Western Africa; highly adapted to coastal regions and the Southern US.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads by vigorous above-ground runners), forming a thick, dense mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses); moderate to high watering needs; moderate drought tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 2.5 to 4 inches; requires regular fertilization (3-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually) and periodic dethatching; medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); poor wear tolerance due to coarse, succulent blades.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in many regions; excellent for soil stabilization; provides cover for small invertebrates; generally non-invasive in managed landscapes.