Carol Cloud Bailey
Family
Poaceae
Botanical Name
Stenotaphrum secundatum
Plant Common Name
Softleaf Buffalo Grass, St. Augustine Grass
General Description
Saint Augustine grass is a perennial plant native to the southeastern United States, California, the West Indies and the Mediterranean but has become naturalized in most of the sub-tropical and tropical areas of the world. It is used mostly as turf for lawns in warm zones and grows best when temperatures are hot and humid.
This vigorous grass forms dense, slightly open mats of vegetation and spreads by means of flattened, running stems or stolons. Plantlets form along the stems, rooting at regular intervals. The leaves emerge from loose sheaths folded and are fairly broad and coarse for turfgrass. The leaf color is yellow-green to blue green. The grassy flowers are held on short spikes among the leaves. Most cultivars do not produce fertile flowers or viable seed and must be vegetatively propagated.
Where native, Saint Augustine grass grows naturally along the edges of wetlands, such as swamps and lakes. As turfgrass, it prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Though moderately shade tolerant, this warm-season grass looks best if given six to eight hours of full sun per day. It will tolerate some drought once established and also withstands considerable wear and exhibits excellent salt tolerance.
Mowing is the key to success of a Saint Augustine lawn. Due to its broad blades, most cultivars must be mowed very high to maintain enough leaf for good growth and density. Some dwarf cultivars can be mown lower, such as ‘Seville’, ‘Jade’ and ‘Delmar’. Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release food formulated for grass as determined by a soil test or local soil studies. This turf grass is susceptible to a number of pest problems, including chinch bugs, caterpillars, gray leaf spot disease and take-all root rot.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Grass
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
3"-6" / 7.6cm - 15.2cm
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Southeastern United States, California, Caribbean
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Mat-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Lawns and Turf
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
No
