St. Augustine Grass Stenotaphrum secundatum

St. Augustinegrass is a spreading turfgrass native to warm regions of Africa and South America, as well as the southeastern U.S.A. Originating along the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, it can be found along sandy beaches, swamp and lagoons edges, island streams, lakes, marshes and along roadsides. It has naturalized throughout much of southern North America, Europe, northern and southern Africa, China, and Australia.

It is commonly used as pasture grass and also grown as a lawn. This plant is heat tolerant and mildly drought tolerant. There are several cultivars of this plant available. This plant spreads by rhizomes and, if used as lawn grass, will rarely need mowing. It is sold as sod or plugs and is rarely propagated by seed.

Its dense, tight structure makes it resistant to weed infestation. It's known to improve soil structure, enhance water infiltration rates and also increases the soils' water retention capacity. It can also be used as a ground cover under trees to promote soil conservation. When placed on slopes, it will serve as a form of erosion control.  

Grown as a lawn, it will grow in most soils that are found in the southern states. It has a high shade tolerance, making it a better choice than other southern grasses. Typically grown in full sun, it will tolerate full shade and semi-shaded locations. In fact, it is the most shade-tolerant warm-season turfgrass.

For more information, please refer to the NC State Extension TurfFiles entry for St. Augustinegrass. Refer to "Caring for Your Lawn and the Environment" for guidelines on fertilizing and mowing.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Spreading by stolons or runners, it can expand into unwanted locations. Its wear tolerance is low. Not recommended for use in high traffic locations such as a sports field. Its drought tolerance is low, it will lose its color under dry conditions. Chinch bugs are a problem on St. Augustinegrass.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common southern lawn diseases.