St. Augustine
A coarse-bladed warm-season grass dominant in Florida, the Gulf Coast, and coastal areas. St. Augustine spreads aggressively by stolons and is one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses. Its wide, rounded blades give it a distinct, lush appearance.
- Season
- Warm-season
- Mow height
- 3–4 inches
- Spreads by
- Stolons (above-ground runners)
- Blade width
- Coarse
- Drought tolerance
- Medium
- Shade tolerance
- High
- Regions
- Florida, Gulf Coast, South Texas
St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is the dominant lawn grass in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Its wide, flat blades and thick stolons create a dense, carpet-like lawn. It's the best warm-season option for shaded yards.
Best use: Home lawns in Florida, Gulf Coast, and similar climates. Best warm-season choice for partial shade.
Mowing: Keep at 3–4 inches. This is higher than most warm-season grasses — lower mowing weakens St. Augustine.
Fertilizer: Moderate feeder — 2–4 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year. Iron supplements produce a deeper green without excess growth.
Watering: Moderate-to-high need. Less drought-tolerant than Bermuda or Zoysia.
Pests: Chinch bugs are the #1 pest threat to St. Augustine lawns. Check for small yellow patches that expand rapidly in summer.
More on Grass Types
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