How do I identify St. Augustine?

Wide, coarse blade (8–10 mm) with a rounded tip — the widest of all common turfgrasses Dark green to blue-green color, depending on variety Spreads entirely by stolons (no rhizomes or seeds in most varieties) Rolled vernation; boat-shaped blade that folds when pinched Flattened stems (stolons) that radiate outward from the center

Warm-seasonSouth BeltUSDA Zones 8–10

St. Augustine

Q: When should I fertilize St. Augustine?

Spring through summer (April–August). Iron supplements are often needed in alkaline soils to maintain dark green color. Avoid fertilizing in fall or winter — cold damage to tender growth is a significant risk.

Q: What are common problems with St. Augustine?

Chinch Bugs: The #1 pest of St. Augustine. Tiny insects that suck plant juices, causing irregular yellow-to-brown patches in sunny areas. Insecticide applications are effective but must be timed correctly. St. Augustine Decline (SAD): A viral disease causing yellowing, stunting, and eventual death. No cure — remove affected areas and replant with a resistant variety like Floratam. Take-All Root Rot: Causes yellowing and thinning from a soil-borne fungus. More common in overly wet, compacted soil. Improve drainage and reduce irrigation. Gray Leaf Spot: Gray to tan lesions with brown borders on blades, worst in hot and humid conditions. Avoid high nitrogen in summer and reduce irrigation.

St. Augustine is the most shade-tolerant warm-season grass, making it the dominant lawn grass in the Deep South and Gulf Coast. Its wide, coarse blades and fast-spreading stolons quickly fill in a lawn, and it handles the heat and humidity of the Gulf Coast exceptionally well.

Mow Height

3.5–4 inches

Water / Week

1–1.5 inches

Fertilize

Every 6–8 weeks during growing season

Maintenance

Moderate

Tolerance & Maintenance

Heat ToleranceHigh

Cold ToleranceLow

Drought ToleranceLow

Shade ToleranceHigh

MaintenanceModerate

How to Identify St. Augustine

✓Wide, coarse blade (8–10 mm) with a rounded tip — the widest of all common turfgrasses
✓Dark green to blue-green color, depending on variety
✓Spreads entirely by stolons (no rhizomes or seeds in most varieties)
✓Rolled vernation; boat-shaped blade that folds when pinched
✓Flattened stems (stolons) that radiate outward from the center

Mowing

Recommended height3.5–4 inches

FrequencyEvery 7–10 days

St. Augustine performs best at higher mowing heights. Scalping weakens the lawn significantly. Some varieties (like Seville) tolerate lower mowing at 2–2.5 inches.

Watering

Weekly amount1–1.5 inches

Frequency2–3 times per week

Less drought-tolerant than Bermuda or Zoysia. Wilting appears as a blue-green tinge and folded blades — a signal to water immediately. Sandy soils may need more frequent irrigation.

Fertilization

TimingSpring through summer (April–August)

FrequencyEvery 6–8 weeks during growing season

Iron supplements are often needed in alkaline soils to maintain dark green color. Avoid fertilizing in fall or winter — cold damage to tender growth is a significant risk.

Common Problems

Chinch Bugs

The #1 pest of St. Augustine. Tiny insects that suck plant juices, causing irregular yellow-to-brown patches in sunny areas. Insecticide applications are effective but must be timed correctly.

St. Augustine Decline (SAD)

A viral disease causing yellowing, stunting, and eventual death. No cure — remove affected areas and replant with a resistant variety like Floratam.

Take-All Root Rot

Causes yellowing and thinning from a soil-borne fungus. More common in overly wet, compacted soil. Improve drainage and reduce irrigation.

Gray Leaf Spot

Gray to tan lesions with brown borders on blades, worst in hot and humid conditions. Avoid high nitrogen in summer and reduce irrigation.

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