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, given the coarse texture and mixed density with weeds)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11. Poor cold tolerance; turns brown and becomes dormant quickly during frost.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass forming a thick, dense carpet when healthy. Leaves are medium to dark green with a relatively dull finish. It produces thick, compressed stolons and flower spikes that are short and inconspicuous.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (8-10mm), flat shape with a distinct rounded (boat-shaped) tip. Light to medium green color. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Fibrous and moderate depth; spreads primarily via heavy stolons that root at nodes. High thatch-forming tendency but provides excellent sod stability once established.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to West Indies, Africa, and the Gulf of Mexico; well-adapted to the Southern United States and subtropical regions
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade (highly shade tolerant for a warm-season grass). Requires moderate to high watering; low drought tolerance compared to Bermuda.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 2.5 to 4.0 inches. Mowing frequency: 7-10 days. Requires 2-4 lbs of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. High maintenance level due to water and chemical needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance, high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas), moderate wear tolerance, susceptible to Large Patch (fungus) and Chinch bugs.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal areas. Not considered highly invasive in managed landscapes but can crowd out native low-growing flora.