St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy (turns brown) when temperatures drop below 55°F consistently.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass that forms a dense, carpet-like mat. It maintains a medium-to-dark green color during active growth and produces thick, creeping stolons with conspicuous nodes.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), flat shape with a distinct rounded (boat-ended) tip. Vernation is folded. Color is vibrant green to blue-green. Short, fringed hair ligule; auricles are absent; collar is constricted.
Root System
Fibrous and moderately deep; highly dependent on stolons for lateral spread. High thatch-forming tendency due to thick organic accumulation; slow seed establishment, mostly established via sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical/subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads aggressively via above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; among the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses. Requires moderate to high watering; low-to-moderate drought tolerance; prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2.5–4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance level due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; good salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas); poor traffic tolerance; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (fungus).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; provides soil stabilization in coastal zones; low wildlife food value but provides cover; can be invasive in non-managed tropical landscapes.