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’ (a widely planted cultivar known for its coarse texture, blue-green color, and resistance to St. Augustine Decline virus and chinch bugs)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Poor cold tolerance, entering dormancy and turning brown when temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, lush, carpet-like turf with coarse-textured, flat blades. Color ranges from bright green to blue-green depending on the cultivar. Grows quickly during warm summer months and becomes semi-dormant or yellows in cooler winter regions.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (>4mm wide), flat with blunt, rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Features a prominent midrib, smooth texture, a membranous ligule with a fringe of hairs, and absent or very small auricles.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system combined with vigorous above-ground stolons. Establishes quickly from sod, forms a thick thatch layer, and provides moderate drought tolerance once established with good wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions around the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and coastal areas worldwide. Well-adapted to the southern United States, particularly Florida, the Gulf Coast, and parts of California and Texas.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively via above-ground runners (stolons) to form a thick, coarse, carpet-like turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses, needing at least 4 hours of direct sun). High watering needs for optimal appearance, moderate drought tolerance by entering dormancy during dry spells. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.5 to 3.5 inches high. Requires frequent mowing during the active growing season. Fertilization needs are moderate to high (2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Prone to heavy thatch accumulation, requiring regular dethatching and aeration. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses, good salt tolerance making it ideal for coastal regions. Susceptible to chinch bugs, sod webworms, and large patch fungus. Moderate wear tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in coastal and warm inland regions. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on coastal slopes and sandy soils. Wildlife value is moderate, offering cover for small ground-dwelling animals.