St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common St. Augustine (likely wild-type or 'Floratam' based on blade width)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; will go dormant and turn brown after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a dense, carpet-like habit. It is dark green in color and forms a thick sod that can effectively crowd out many weeds. The image shows the grass interspersed with broadleaf weeds (Chickweed), but the visible grass blades are broad and flat.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), flat shape with a distinctly rounded/boat-shaped tip. Color is typically medium to dark green. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous roots originating from stolon nodes; forms significant thatch; moderate establishment speed via sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and parts of Africa; well-adapted to the Southern USA and coastal regions.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads horizontally via thick, above-ground runners/stolons)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun; one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses (4-6 hours minimum). Requires regular watering, especially in sandy soils; moderate drought tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches; frequency every 7-10 days; 2-4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to thatch and pest monitoring.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (coastal suitable); low wear tolerance; susceptible to St. Augustine Decline (SAD) and Chinch bugs.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many tropical regions; provides soil stabilization for coastal dunes; habitat for small invertebrates but can become aggressive and displace native low-growing flora.