St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Exhibits low cold tolerance and will enter winter dormancy (turning brown) in cooler areas of its range.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Variety / Cultivar
'Floratam' (most common wide-bladed cultivar with good drought tolerance and lighter green color)
About This Grass
Forms a dense, carpet-like turf with coarse, broad blades and a bright blue-green to apple-green color. Height ranges from 1 to 3 inches when maintained; can grow up to 6-12 inches if unmowed. Produces flat, spike-like seed heads on terminal stalks at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are coarse, flat, and wide (typically 4-10 mm), with blunt, rounded tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. The ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous and narrow.
Root System
Moderately deep fibrous root system complemented by extensive, vigorous stolons. Tends to form a moderate amount of thatch. Establishes rapidly from sod or plugs. Moderate drought tolerance; goes dormant during prolonged dry spells.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; widely cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially the southeastern United States.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading rapidly via robust, flat above-ground runners (stolons) to form a thick, coarse-textured turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun to partial shade (more shade-tolerant than most warm-season grasses). Needs regular watering (about 1 inch per week) for optimal appearance. Prefers moist, well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at a height of 2.5 to 4 inches using rotary mowers with sharp blades to prevent tearing. Medium to high maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (2-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually) and occasional dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Moderate wear and traffic tolerance, but slower to recover from damage than Bermuda or Zoysia. Good salt tolerance, making it ideal for coastal areas. Excellent shade tolerance among warm-season grasses. Susceptible to chinch bugs and take-all root rot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/cultivated turfgrass in many areas. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control in coastal regions. Offers limited wildlife value compared to native grasses, but serves as dense cover for small ground-dwelling fauna.