St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (susceptible to frost damage and winter dormancy discoloration).
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Variety / Cultivar
'Floratam' or common St. Augustine, characterized by coarse texture and blue-green color
About This Grass
Forms a thick, coarse-textured lawn with a bright to dark blue-green color. Leaf blades are broad and flat. Unmowed height can reach up to 6-12 inches, but typically maintained lower. Produces a flattened spike-like seed head at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse texture with wide blades (>4mm), folded in the bud (vernation), rounded to obtuse tips, smooth surfaces, prominent ligule consisting of a fringe of hairs, and absent or very small auricles.
Root System
Shallow to moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Forms a thick thatch layer rather quickly. Moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely cultivated in the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading vigorously via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade tolerant than most warm-season grasses). High water needs during active growth, moderate drought tolerance by entering dormancy during severe dry spells. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches. Mowed weekly or bi-weekly during peak growing season. High fertilization needs. Regular dethatching and aeration are often required due to heavy stolon and thatch buildup. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Moderate traffic wear tolerance with excellent recovery via stolons. Susceptible to chinch bugs, take-all root rot, and brown patch. Poor salt tolerance compared to seashore paspalum, but decent compared to other turf grasses. Excellent erosion control in coastal areas.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions outside its native range. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on coastal sites. Serves as a habitat for various turf insects and urban wildlife.