Kinds of St. Augustine Grass

Floratam

• "Floratam" is one of the most popular cultivars of St. Augustine grass. An improved variety that was released in 1973 once touted better chinch bug resistance, but that quality has been lost over time, according to University of Florida specialist L.E. Trenholm. Floratam grows vigorously and requires at least six hours of sunlight per day, as well as regular watering during dry periods.

Palmetto

• "Palmetto" is a semidwarf cultivar that was released for use in the 1990s that has a deep green color and increased cold tolerance that allows it to stay green even after successive nights of frost. It grows shorter than other varieties of St. Augustine grass, but has no chinch bug resistance. It is often touted as being drought-tolerant, but this has not been clinically established. It grows well in sun or shade, according to the Texas A&M University site.

Bitterblue

• The "Bitterblue" cultivar is an older variety of St. Augustine grass with a dense, fine texture and blue-green color. It possesses good shade and cold tolerance, but no chinch bug resistance. Bitterblue is also salt-tolerant and good for growing in coastal areas.

Raleigh

• The "Raleigh" cultivar was released in 1980 as a more cold-hardy cultivar of St. Augustine grass and is used in areas that see some frost conditions, such as in northern Florida. It has a medium green color and a coarse texture. Raleigh tends to yellow and grow more slowly in hot temperatures. It is susceptible to chinch bug infestations and brown patch.

Captiva

• The "Captiva" cultivar was released in 2007. A dark green, narrow-bladed type, it grows shorter than some St. Augustine cultivars. Although it has increased tolerance to chinch bugs, it is susceptible to other diseases, such as brown patch, when treated with excessive amounts of fertilizer. It exhibits better shade tolerance, as do many of the other dwarf cultivars of St. Augustine grass.

Seville

• The "Seville" is a dwarf variety of St. Augustine grass that is finer in texture than Floratam or other cultivars. This type has a blue-green color and can withstand drought, salt and shade. Because it grows shorter, Seville requires less maintenance than many other types of St. Augustine grass. It establishes quickly in most kinds of soil.