St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common variant (visible characteristics suggest a broadleaf type like 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy and turns brown when temperatures drop below 55°F; very heat tolerant.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a vibrant medium-to-dark green color. It forms a thick carpet that crowds out most weeds. Seed heads are inconspicuous, appearing as short spikes with embedded seeds.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm); flat shape with a distinct rounded or blunt 'boat-shaped' tip; folded vernation; auricles are absent; ligule is a short fringe of hairs; collar is continuous and narrow.
Root System
Extensive fibrous root system primarily established from stolons; moderate depth; high thatch-forming tendency; slow to moderate establishment speed; creates a dense, spongy sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Western Africa; thrives in tropical and subtropical climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via thick, creeping above-ground runners); forms a dense, coarse-textured mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses); needs at least 4-5 hours of sun; high water requirements; moderate drought tolerance but wilts quickly without moisture.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4.0 inches; weekly frequency during growing season; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance due to water and pest needs.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas); poor wear tolerance due to fleshy stolons; susceptible to Large Patch (fungus) and Chinch Bugs.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many coastal areas; provides soil stabilization in sandy coastal soils; low wildlife food value but provides cover for small insects and reptiles; can be invasive in non-managed wetland borders.