Water Usage for St. Augustine Grass

Water Requirements

• St. Augustine grass is fairly resistant to drought, although the Texas A&M University Aggie Horticulture website says it is not as drought tolerant as Bermuda grass. In inland areas that tend to have prolonged dry periods, St. Augustine grass needs to be watered. In areas that receive at least a medium amount of rainfall, St. Augustine grass usually does not require a lot in the way of extra water applications. For property owners who are particularly concerned about the appearance of their lawns, water St. Augustine grass every week during normal conditions to help the grass have its best appearance.

Location

• St. Augustine grass is native to areas along the Gulf of Mexico, the West Indies and the western parts of Africa. A grass that thrives in subtropical climates, St. Augustine grass is found in the southern states in areas near the Gulf of Mexico. It is also found in the central parts of states such as Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama. St. Augustine grass does well in coastal areas up to North Carolina as well as the eastern half of South Carolina. Because it does not do well in cold conditions, St. Augustine is not grown in transitional states or the more northern inland areas of the southern states where the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.

Varieties

• Among the varieties of St. Augustine grass are Palmetto, Bitterblue, Floratam, Sapphire, Floralawn, Raleigh, Common, Jade, Floratine and Seville. Bitterblue is a good choice for the middle South because of its improved cold-weather tolerance. Floralawn does not do well in shade or colder areas. Seville is good at retaining its color. It is also among the best of the varieties at tolerating salt, shade and drought. The long leaves of Seville make it one of the more popular choices for lawns. Raleigh grows well in heavy soil that contains clay. Find out which of the varieties is best for your area.

Traits

• St. Augustine grows better in shaded areas than most of the other warm-season grasses. Its dark bluish-green leaves and wide blades make it an attractive grass for lawns. St. Augustine tolerates high temperatures and full sunlight. St. Augustine is fairly durable and can handle average amounts of foot traffic. An aggressive grass that spreads with above-ground runners and stolons, St. Augustine adapts to different environments. Because it does not produce a lot of seeds, it is normally established from plugs, sprigs or sod. Its dense turf makes it difficult for weeds to grow.