St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season perennial, C4 metabolism
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto' (Standard broad-leaf turf type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy (turns brown) when temperatures drop below 55°F; cannot survive sustained freezing.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing turfgrass with a deep blue-green to medium green color. It forms a thick, spongy sod and produces short, spike-like seed heads on flattened stems.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blades (8-10mm width), flat with a distinct 'v' shape near the base; rounded or boat-shaped tips; folded vernation; fringe of hairs for a ligule; auricles absent; broad, light-colored collar.
Root System
Fibrous and relatively shallow compared to Bermuda grass; relies on stolons for lateral spread; creates significant thatch; moderate establishment speed from sod or plugs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners (stolons) that root at nodes to form a dense, coarse mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (best shade tolerance of warm-season grasses); high water requirements; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture; prefers pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
High mowing height (3.0-4.0 inches); weekly frequency; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; requires regular dethatching; medium maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance; high salt tolerance (ideal for coastal lawns); poor wear/traffic tolerance; susceptible to Large Patch (fungus) and Chinch Bugs.
Ecological Information
Native to tropical Atlantic coasts; provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal areas; can be invasive in non-native wetland margins; often grown as a monoculture turf.