St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' based on blade width and medium-green color
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy below 55°F; prone to winter kill in northern transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass that forms a thick sod. It maintains a deep green color in its active season and turns tan during winter dormancy. Unmowed, it can reach 6-12 inches; maintained, it creates a plush, carpet-like surface.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (8-10mm wide), flat to slightly folded, with distinct rounded or blunt tips. 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 stolons; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment speed; excellent sod-forming ability with high wear recovery via stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico, West Indies, and West Africa; adapted to coastal and tropical regions
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads by thick, creeping above-ground runners), forming a dense, coarse mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial Sun to Full Sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs at least 4-5 hours of sun; high water requirements; moderate drought tolerance; prefers pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency; fertilization of 3-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance level; requires regular dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); poor traffic tolerance due to coarse blades; susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (fungus).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in US; provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal areas; low wildlife food value but provides cover; can be invasive in sensitive wetland margins; usually grown as a monostand.