St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (goes dormant and may suffer freeze damage below 25°F). Not suitable for the transition zone.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Variety / Cultivar
Floratam
About This Grass
Forms a dense, coarse-textured turf with broad, flat blades and blunt tips. Light to medium green in color. Grows rapidly in warm weather, reaching heights of 3 to 4 inches if unmowed, and is typically maintained at 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Produces a flat, spike-like seed head at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (greater than 4mm), flat shape, blunt or rounded tip, bright yellow-green to dark green color, folded vernation in the bud, prominent ligule consisting of a fringe of hairs, absent auricles, and a continuous collar region.
Root System
Moderate root depth with extensive, thick stolons spreading across the soil surface. Moderate thatch-forming tendency, medium establishment speed, and forms a very dense sod that recovers well from stolon spread but has moderate wear tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Gulf of Mexico region, the Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide. Well-adapted to the southern United States, particularly Florida and the Gulf Coast.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and rhizomatous, spreading aggressively via above-ground stolon runners to form a thick, coarse, mat-like turf.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Performs best in full sun, but has the highest shade tolerance among warm-season grasses (tolerates partial shade). Requires regular moisture, moderate to high watering needs during dry periods, and prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 2.5 to 4 inches using a rotary mower with sharp blades. Requires frequent mowing during the growing season. Fertilization needs are medium to high (2 to 5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Moderate maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Good salt tolerance making it popular for coastal regions. Moderate wear tolerance, susceptible to chinch bugs, take-all root rot, and large patch disease. Good ability to crowd out weeds when healthy and thick.
Ecological Information
Introduced and widely cultivated across warm coastal regions. Provides ground cover and soil stabilization in coastal ecosystems. Valued in residential and commercial landscapes for erosion control and aesthetic lawns.