St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' (indicated by coarse texture and broad blades)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy (turns brown) when temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a deep blue-green color. It forms a thick, spongy sod and features blunt, rounded leaf tips and thick stolons that are visible in the canopy.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>8mm), flat shape with a distinct boat-shaped/rounded blunt tip. Vernation is folded. Color is dark green to blue-green. Ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent; collar is continuous and constricted.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous roots originating from stolon nodes. High thatch-forming tendency, slow to moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
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, creeping above-ground runners); forms a dense, carpet-like mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (4-6 hours minimum); excellent shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses. High water needs; poor drought tolerance during active growth.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 2.5–4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; high maintenance due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance, high salt tolerance (ideal for coastal areas), low wear tolerance (recovers slowly), susceptible to Large Patch and Chinch Bugs.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal soils; generally non-invasive in non-tropical zones due to cold sensitivity; usually grown as a monostand.