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 8-10. Poor cold tolerance, entering winter dormancy and discoloration when temperatures drop below 50°F.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Variety / Cultivar
'Palmetto' or 'Floratam' (broad, coarse blades with high light and coastal adaptability)
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, dense, low-growing warm-season turfgrass with bright to dark blue-green blades. Unmowed height can reach 6 to 12 inches, but it is typically maintained around 2.5 to 4 inches. Produces flat, thick seed spikes at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse texture with wide blades (4-10mm wide), flat shape, rounded or blunt tips, blue-green to green color, folded vernation in the bud, prominent veins, with a short membranous ligule and absent or very small auricles.
Root System
Moderately shallow fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Prone to thatch accumulation, moderate establishment speed from plugs or sod, and forms a dense, spongy sod layer.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide. Well-adapted to the southern United States.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, coarse turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to moderate shade (most shade-tolerant warm-season grass). Needs regular watering (1 inch per week) and has moderate drought tolerance, entering dormancy during severe dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches using a sharp rotary mower. Medium to high maintenance level, requiring moderate to high fertilization (2-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year) and regular monitoring for chinch bugs and fungal diseases.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses, good salt tolerance for coastal areas, moderate wear tolerance, but poor recuperative ability from heavy traffic compared to Bermuda or Zoysia.
Ecological Information
Introduced to many regions for landscaping. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal areas. Low wildlife food value due to tough texture, but stolons provide ground cover and habitat for small ground insects.