St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Low cold tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses; susceptible to freeze damage below 20°F. Goes dormant and turns brown in cooler northern ranges of its adaptability.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Panicae
Variety / Cultivar
'Floratam' (most common widespread variety characterized by larger, coarser blades and blue-green color)
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing, sod-forming turfgrass with flat, broad blades and blunt tips. Forms a dense, carpet-like turf. Color ranges from light green to dark blue-green depending on the variety and fertilization. Unmowed height can reach 6 to 12 inches, but typically maintained low.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse in width (typically 4-10 mm wide), flat, with rounded or blunt, boat-shaped tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous and broad.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system originating from nodes along the stolons. Forms a thick layer of thatch quickly if over-fertilized. Establishes rapidly from sod or plugs. Moderate drought tolerance, recovers via stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide; well-adapted to the southeastern United States and warm coastal climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads aggressively via above-ground runners or stolons), forming a dense, coarse-textured mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun, but is the most shade-tolerant of the common warm-season turfgrasses (requires a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight). High water requirement to maintain optimal green color and vigor; moderate to low drought tolerance compared to Bermuda or Zoysia, often entering drought-induced dormancy.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches. High maintenance level due to regular watering needs, periodic dethatching, and frequent mowing during peak growing season. Fertilization of 2-4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft annually.
Special Characteristics
Excellent salt-tolerance, making it ideal for coastal properties. Moderate to low wear tolerance (cannot handle heavy foot traffic as well as Bermuda or Zoysia). Susceptible to chinch bugs, take-all root rot, and sod webworms. Poor weed-crowding ability if mowed too short or kept thin.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in many tropical and subtropical coastal regions. Provides low wildlife value as a managed monoculture turf, but offers soil stabilization and erosion control on coastal sandy soils. Filter and traps runoff effectively when dense.