Key Facts
- Warm season turfgrass commonly used in southern and coastal lawns
- Spreads by aboveground stolons to form a dense sod
- Tolerates shade better than many other warm season grasses
- Moderate tolerance to soil salinity
- Usually established by sod, plugs, sprigs or stolons rather than seed
- Best maintained at a relatively high mowing height compared with many turf grasses
- Produces small, inconspicuous seedheads in warm months but flowering is not prominent in lawns
St. Augustine Grass is a warm season turfgrass used for dense lawns in warm humid and coastal regions. It spreads by aboveground stolons to form a thick sod and tolerates shade better than many other warm season grasses, with moderate tolerance to soil salinity.
Identification and key traits
St. Augustine forms a coarse textured, sod-forming lawn from stolons that run aboveground and root at the nodes. Flowering produces small inconspicuous seedheads in the warm months but seed is not prominent in maintained turf. Most stands are established vegetatively rather than from seed.
Best uses and where to grow
Use St. Augustine as a lawn or groundcover in southern and coastal landscapes where a dense, shade tolerant turf is desired. It is adapted to USDA zones 8 through 11 and performs well on a range of soils when fertility and drainage are adequate. Moderate salt tolerance makes it useful near coastlines.
Planting and establishment
Establish St. Augustine with sod, plugs, sprigs or stolons since many common varieties are not reliably seeded. Plant during the grass active growing season in your region when temperatures favor warm season growth. Choose healthy sod or plugs and keep soil contact and moisture consistent until the turf is rooted.
Mowing and routine care
Maintain St. Augustine at a relatively high mowing height compared with many turfgrasses, commonly about 2.5 to 4 inches 6 to 10 cm for maintained lawns. Mowing regularly reduces seedhead visibility and helps density. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged as poor drainage increases thinning and disease risk.
Controlling spread and repairing thin spots
Stolons will fill nearby bare areas over time so expect lateral spread under favorable conditions. Use edging or physical barriers to limit spread into beds, remove rogue stolons by hand, and repair thin areas with plugs or sod. Spread rate varies by cultivar, fertility, moisture and mowing practices.
Pests, diseases and site limits
St. Augustine tolerates a range of soils from sandy to clay when well managed but will thin on poorly drained sites and in dense shade. Shade can increase disease pressure. Salt tolerance is moderate so it can perform near coasts with appropriate care. Consult local extension for region specific pests and disease management.
Frequently asked questions
- How fast does St. Augustine Grass grow?
- Growth varies with cultivar, fertility, moisture and climate. During the warm growing season it spreads by stolons and can fill nearby bare spots over weeks to months rather than days.
- Is St. Augustine Grass safe for pets?
- St. Augustine is not listed as a poisonous plant to pets. Eating large amounts can cause mild stomach upset. Turf treatments such as herbicides or fertilizers can be hazardous if not used according to label instructions.
- Can St. Augustine be grown in shade?
- It tolerates more shade than many warm season grasses and can be used in partial shade, but density will decline in dense shade and disease risk may increase. Shade tolerance also varies by cultivar.
- How tall should I mow St. Augustine?
- Keep mowing height relatively high, commonly about 2.5 to 4 inches 6 to 10 cm for maintained lawns. Specific cultivar recommendations may differ.
- How do I establish a new St. Augustine lawn?
- Use sod, plugs, sprigs or stolons for reliable establishment. Keep new plantings well watered until rooted and avoid heavy traffic until the turf is established. Seeded cultivars are available in some regions but are less common.