St. Augustine Grass
Stenotaphrum secundatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Floratam' or 'Palmetto'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11. Poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy (turns brown) when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, low-growing grass with a deep blue-green color. It forms a thick, carpet-like sod that creates a dense lawn. Left unmowed, it can reach 6-12 inches; maintained, it looks lush and thick.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (>4mm), flat blades with a rounded or blunt tip. Vernation is folded. Color is typically deep green to blue-green. Ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Fibrous and moderately deep, primarily spreading through thick stolons. High thatch-forming tendency but provides excellent sod density and moderate drought recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal regions of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Africa.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (spreads via above-ground runners); heavy mat-forming with rapid lateral spread.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses). Requires moderate watering; has moderate drought tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5 to 4 inches. Frequency 7-10 days. Fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft/year. Thrives with vertical mowing (dethatching) every few years.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass, high salt tolerance (good for coastal areas), but low traffic/wear tolerance compared to Bermuda.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US. Good for soil stabilization and erosion control. Can be invasive in wetland margins but is widely used as a structural ground cover in tropical/subtropical landscapes.