St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Commonly 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto', known for coarse texture and rapid lateral spread via stolons.
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 10. Low cold tolerance, goes dormant and turns brown with frost. Poor performance in heavy transition zones due to winter kill.
About This Grass
Forms a thick, carpet-like turf with coarse texture and bright to blue-green color. Unmowed height reaches 6 to 12 inches, maintained at 2.5 to 4 inches. Produces flat, spike-like seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse (>4mm wide), flat with blunt, rounded tips. Rolled vernation in the bud. The ligule is a fringe of hairs, auricles are absent, and the collar region is broad and continuous.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency, establishes quickly from sod or plugs, and forms a dense sod layer.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide. Widely cultivated in the southern United States and tropical/subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous, spreading via thick 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 requirement; moderate drought tolerance by entering dormancy during severe dry spells. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches using a sharp rotary mower. Requires frequent mowing during active growth. High fertilization needs (2-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Medium-High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Good shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, poor wear tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia, susceptible to chinch bugs and large patch disease, moderate salt tolerance, excellent erosion control in coastal areas.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal sandy soils. Low wildlife food value for mammals, but provides cover for small ground-dwelling fauna. Often grown as a monoculture turf.