St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance, entering winter dormancy and losing color when temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing, aggressive warm-season turfgrass forming a dense sod. Color ranges from medium to dark blue-green. Unmowed height reaches 6-12 inches, but typically maintained much lower. Produces flat, thick seed stalks with spike-like racemes at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (5-10 mm), flat shape with blunt, rounded tips. Color is medium to dark green or blue-green. Rolled in the bud (vernation). Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. Smooth texture with smooth margins.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from stolon nodes. Moderate to fast establishment from sod or plugs. Prone to thatch accumulation if over-fertilized. Forms a thick, spongy sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, the Caribbean, and tropical coasts worldwide. Best adapted to warm, humid coastal regions.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading rapidly via aggressive, 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 watering needs for optimal appearance; moderate drought tolerance by entering dormancy or wilting under severe stress. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 inches. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), frequent mowing during growing season, and occasional dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Moderate wear tolerance, good recovery via stolons, excellent salt tolerance for coastal areas, poor cold tolerance, susceptible to chinch bugs and take-all root rot, good erosion control in coastal sandy soils.
Ecological Information
Introduced/naturalized in many tropical and subtropical areas. Provides modest wildlife habitat and excellent soil stabilization in coastal environments. Often grown as a monoculture due to its aggressive spreading nature.