St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn / Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common or 'Floratam' (likely, given coarse texture and stolon visibility)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when temperatures drop below 55°F for extended periods; no frost tolerance.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turf grass with a vibrant lime-green to medium-green color. It creates a thick, spongy carpet and is recognizable by its wide blades and prostrate growth habit. Seed heads are inconspicuous, appearing as short, thick spikes with embedded seeds along one side.
Blade Characteristics
Width is coarse (>4mm), blades are flat with a distinct 'v' fold at the base. Tips are rounded or blunt-shaped. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent; collar is constricted.
Root System
Relatively shallow but dense fibrous root system extending from stolon nodes; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment from plugs or sod; good wear recovery but susceptible to compaction.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and West Africa; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads aggressively via thick above-ground runners (stolons) to form a dense mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); requires 4-6 hours of sun; high watering needs; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 2.5 to 4.0 inches; frequency: weekly during peak growth; fertilization: 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to Bermuda; good salt tolerance (ideal for coastal lawns); susceptible to Chinch Bugs and Large Patch (fungus); poor traffic tolerance compared to finer grasses.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions; provides high soil stabilization; little wildlife value in managed lawns; non-invasive in dry climates but can escape in wetlands; often grown as a monoculture.