How-to Guide
St. Augustinegrass: Planting, Mowing, and Care
The short answer
St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a coarse-textured, warm-season lawn grass grown across Florida, the Gulf Coast, Texas, and the lower Southeast. It is generally considered the most shade-tolerant of the warm-season lawn grasses, which is why it is the default choice for southern yards with trees.
Because seed is not commercially available, you establish it vegetatively with sod, plugs, or sprigs, ideally during active growth from roughly May through August. Once established, mow at about 2.5 to 4 inches (3 to 4 inches in shade), never removing more than one-third of the blade per mowing, and water deeply but infrequently.
What St. Augustinegrass Is and Where It Grows
St. Augustinegrass is a warm-season grass, meaning it grows actively in the heat of late spring through summer and goes dormant and brown after frost. It spreads by above-ground runners (stolons), forming a dense, coarse-bladed turf.
It is widely grown throughout the southern United States, from Florida through the Gulf states into Texas. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension notes it is widely grown across Texas, and UF/IFAS describes it as a standard Florida lawn grass. In general, it is considered the most shade-tolerant warm-season turfgrass, though it still needs several hours of sun and will thin in dense shade.
How to Establish It
St. Augustinegrass is established vegetatively using sod, sprigs, or plugs; seed is not commercially available. The best time to plant is during its active growth period, normally between May and August, so the grass roots in fully before cool weather.
- 1Prepare the site — Clear weeds and debris, loosen the soil surface, and level the area so sod or plugs make firm soil contact.
- 2Plant sod, plugs, or sprigs — Sod gives an instant lawn; plugs and sprigs cost less but take longer to fill in. Lay sod pieces tightly together and press or roll for soil contact.
- 3Water for establishment — Keep the root zone consistently moist for the first few weeks until pieces resist a gentle tug, then transition to deeper, less frequent watering.
Mowing and Routine Care
- Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches; lawns in shade perform better mowed at 3 to 4 inches (UF/IFAS).
- Follow the one-third rule: at a 3-inch height, mow when the grass reaches about 4 to 4.5 inches.
- During heat or drought stress, raise the mowing height about a half inch to 1 inch until the stress passes (Clemson HGIC).
- Keep mower blades sharp; ragged cuts brown the coarse leaf tips.
✔ Scalping St. Augustinegrass below its recommended height is a leading cause of thinning and weed invasion. When in doubt, mow higher.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- UF/IFAS Extension — St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns (ENH5/LH010) — Warm-season grass; most shade-tolerant warm-season species; established from sod/sprigs/plugs (no seed); planting best May-August; mowing heights including 3-4 inches in shade
- Clemson Extension HGIC — St. Augustinegrass Yearly Maintenance Program — Mowing height range 2.5-4 inches, one-third rule, and raising height 0.5-1 inch during heat or drought stress
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Maintaining St. Augustinegrass Lawns — Coarse-textured stoloniferous grass widely grown in Texas and the southern US; general maintenance guidance