Hybrid

St. Augustine Grass

Stenotaphrum secundatum

a close up of some grass with water droplets on it

A thick, luxurious warm-season grass that creates a dense, carpet-like lawn perfect for Southern climates. Known for its excellent shade tolerance and aggressive spreading habit, it quickly fills in bare spots to create a lush green lawn. Its broad, flat blades give it a distinctive coarse texture that many homeowners love for its tropical appearance.

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

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Zones

7–12

USDA hardiness

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Height

11 inches

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Direct Sow

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for St. Augustine Grass in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 grass →

Zone Map

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St. Augustine Grass · Zones 7–12

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

SpacingSod or plugs 12-18 inches apart

SoilAdaptable, prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soil

pH6.0-7.5

WaterModerate — regular watering

SeasonSummer and Fall

FlavorN/A

ColorMedium to dark green

SizeCoarse, broad blades

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 11	—	February – March	January – February	—
Zone 12	—	February – March	January – February	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	March – May	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	March – May	—
Zone 9	—	March – May	February – April	—
Zone 10	—	March – April	January – March	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day), Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Moist, Occasional Flooding, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: High, Medium. Regions: Coastal, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Fruits are available August-November.

Type: Caryopsis.

Harvest time: Fall

Storage & Preservation

St. Augustine grass doesn't require traditional storage or preservation methods since it's an established lawn. However, newly sodded areas should be kept consistently moist (not waterlogged) during the first 2-3 weeks to establish roots. For sod rolls prior to installation, store in a cool, shaded location and keep damp—they should be laid within 24-48 hours of delivery. Long-term maintenance involves regular watering during establishment and drought stress, occasional dethatching to remove dead grass buildup, and aeration every 1-2 years to improve soil health and reduce compaction in high-traffic areas.

History & Origin

Origin: Southeastern U.S.A., South America, Africa

Advantages

+Attracts: Small Mammals, Songbirds

Considerations

-High maintenance

Companion Plants

St. Augustine does best when low-growing, non-aggressive plants fill the gaps rather than fight it for space. Clover fixes nitrogen at the root level — feeding the turf without a bag of fertilizer — and its shallow roots don't compete for depth. Ajuga and wild strawberry stay under 6 inches tall and handle the partial-shade margins where St. Augustine thins out; in zone 7 Georgia, those shaded edges along tree lines are typically where a lawn goes patchy first. Bermuda grass is the plant to exclude entirely: it spreads by both stolons and rhizomes, moves faster than St. Augustine in heat, and the two don't share space — Bermuda takes over. Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus) is technically a sedge, which is why standard grass herbicides won't touch it; hand-pulling just snaps the tubers and multiplies the colony, so use halosulfuron, a product formulated specifically for sedge control.

Plant Together

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil, enhances grass nutrition and reduces need for fertilizer

Dandelion

Deep taproot brings nutrients to surface, benefits shallow-rooted grass

Plantain

Indicates soil compaction issues and helps aerate soil for grass roots

Violets

Provides ground cover in shady areas where grass struggles to grow

Ajuga

Tolerates foot traffic and fills bare spots under trees where grass won't grow

Moss

Indicates and thrives in acidic conditions that St. Augustine grass prefers

Wild Strawberry

Low-growing ground cover that complements grass without competing heavily

Chickweed

Provides natural mulch and soil protection during grass dormancy

Keep Apart

Bermuda Grass

Aggressive spreader that outcompetes and overtakes St. Augustine grass

Nutgrass

Fast-spreading sedge that crowds out grass and is extremely difficult to eliminate

Crabgrass

Annual weed that competes for water and nutrients, weakening grass stands

Dollarweed

Thrives in overwatered conditions and quickly spreads to dominate lawn areas

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Moderate, susceptible to brown patch and gray leaf spot

Common Pests

Chinch bugs, sod webworms, grubs

Diseases

Brown patch, gray leaf spot, take-all root rot

Troubleshooting St. Augustine Grass

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Irregular yellow or brown patches, 6–18 inches across, appearing in mid-to-late summer heat — often near driveways, curbs, or south-facing slopes

Likely Causes

Chinch bug (Blissus insularis) feeding — they pierce grass blades and inject a toxin while sucking sap
Hot, dry microclimates along pavement edges where turf stress is highest

What to Do

1.Do the coffee-can test: cut both ends off a can, push it 3 inches into the turf at the patch edge, fill with water, and count chinch bugs floating up within 5 minutes — 20 or more per square foot confirms the problem
2.Treat with a bifenthrin-based lawn insecticide, following the label rate; water it in lightly after application
3.Raise mowing height to 3.5–4 inches to reduce heat stress and make the turf less hospitable to chinch bug colonies

Circular straw-colored patches, 1–3 feet across, appearing after hot humid nights — grass blades have tan lesions with darker brown borders

Likely Causes

Brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani) — a soil-borne fungus that activates when nighttime temps stay above 70°F and humidity is high
Fast-release nitrogen applied in summer, which pushes soft leafy growth that the fungus hits hard

What to Do

1.Hold off on any nitrogen applications from June through August; slow-release fertilizer in late spring is fine, but a mid-summer feeding invites this problem
2.Water in the early morning only — never in the evening — so blades dry before nightfall
3.Apply a fungicide labeled for Rhizoctonia (azoxystrobin or propiconazole) on a 14-day interval if the patch is actively spreading

Turf thinning in spreading areas, pulling up from the soil with almost no resistance — roots are short, dark, and rotted; often mistaken at first for drought stress

Likely Causes

Take-all root rot (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis) — a fungal disease that destroys the root system while blades may still look borderline acceptable for weeks
Soil pH drifting below 6.0, which stresses the grass and creates conditions where the pathogen gains ground

What to Do

1.Get a soil test — your county extension office can process one for a few dollars — and apply dolomitic lime if pH reads below 6.0
2.Top-dress the affected area with 1/4 inch of coarse sand mixed with mature compost to improve drainage and introduce competing soil microbes
3.Cut irrigation frequency but water deeply (about 1 inch per session) to push roots down and away from the infected surface layer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is St. Augustine grass good for beginners?▼

Yes, St. Augustine grass is excellent for beginners. It's rated easy to moderate in difficulty and is very forgiving once established. Its aggressive spreading habit means it quickly fills in bare spots, and it tolerates a wide range of soil types. The main requirement is consistent moisture during the first few weeks after installation, making it an ideal choice for new lawn owners.

How long does St. Augustine grass take to establish?▼

St. Augustine grass typically establishes within 2-3 weeks when properly watered. Sod takes root faster than seed—usually within 10-14 days with adequate moisture. However, full maturity and a dense, lush lawn can take 6-8 weeks. During this establishment period, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to encourage strong root development.

Can St. Augustine grass grow in shade?▼

Yes, St. Augustine grass has excellent shade tolerance, one of its key strengths. It performs well in areas with 4-6+ hours of sunlight and can handle partial shade better than many warm-season grasses. This makes it ideal for Southern lawns with trees or structures that create dappled shade throughout the day.

What are the main pests that affect St. Augustine grass?▼

Common pests include chinch bugs, sod webworms, and grubs. Chinch bugs are the most damaging, causing brown, dead patches in dry areas. Regular monitoring and proper maintenance—including adequate watering and aeration—help prevent infestations. Severe pest problems may require targeted treatments or professional pest management.

How often should I water established St. Augustine grass?▼

Established St. Augustine grass needs about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth. During hot, dry periods or drought stress, increase watering frequency. Reduce watering in cooler months when the grass goes dormant or slows growth.

Why is St. Augustine grass ideal for Southern climates?▼

St. Augustine grass is a warm-season grass that thrives in the heat and humidity of Southern regions. It's adapted to handle high temperatures, intense sun, and varying moisture levels common in the South. Its tropical appearance and dense growth also appeal to Southern homeowners seeking a lush, carpet-like lawn aesthetic.