St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common (or 'Floratam'/'Palmetto' based on blade texture and typical landscape usage)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11. Poor cold tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a vibrant medium-to-dark green color. It forms a thick sod and can reach 6-12 inches unmowed, but is typically maintained at a higher turf height. Seed heads are spike-like racemes with seeds embedded in a thick, flattened axis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (>4mm wide), flat, with a distinct rounded/obtuse tip. Color is typically deep green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent; the collar is continuous and somewhat constricted.
Root System
Fibrous and moderately deep, primarily arising from the nodes of stolons. High thatch-forming tendency. Slow to moderate establishment speed but creates a very dense, competitive sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads via thick above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense, carpet-like mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses). Needs 4-6 hours of light. Higher water needs than Bermuda; moderate drought tolerance but prefers consistent moisture. Thrives in pH 5.0-8.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5–4.0 inches. Frequency: weekly during growing season. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year. Medium to High maintenance due to irrigation and pest monitoring needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas), low wear tolerance (recovers slowly), susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (fungus).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions. Provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal soils. Low wildlife value; often considered invasive in non-managed wetlands but stays contained in dry landscapes. Often blended with other cultivars for disease resistance.