St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on blade width and typical residential use in the southern US
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F; high heat and salt tolerance.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass that forms a thick, carpet-like sod. It is medium to dark green in color. Seed heads are spike-like racemes with seeds embedded in a thick, flattened rachis.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm); flat shape with a distinct rounded (blunt) boat-shaped tip; light to dark green color; folded vernation; inconspicuous ligule; no auricles; short, thick, and compressed collar.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes; high thatch-forming tendency; slow-to-moderate establishment from sod or plugs; good wear recovery due to aggressive stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to West Indies, Africa, and the Gulf Coast of Mexico; prevalent in the Southeastern United States and California
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via aggressive above-ground runners), forming a dense, thick mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs 4-6 hours of sun; high water requirements; moderate drought tolerance but wilts noticeably when dry; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.0-8.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
High maintenance; mowing height of 2.5 to 4.0 inches; frequency every 5-7 days during peak growth; fertilization of 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year; requires periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); poor traffic tolerance compared to Bermuda; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch disease.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; provides soil stabilization via thick stolon mats; low wildlife food value but provides cover for small invertebrates; can be invasive in native coastal sand dunes.