St. Augustinegrass

Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze

Family: Poaceae

Warm-Season Lawn Grass
Shade Tolerant
Sod or Plugs Only

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

This is an ornamental or lawn plant, not a food. No eating instructions are given.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

none flagged by sources used

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No pet-safety verdict was found: the ASPCA address for St. Augustine grass returned only the general plant index, and NC State Extension lists no poison or toxicity tag. One university listing no tag is not enough to call a plant safe. Eating any grass or plant material can upset a dog's or cat's stomach (ASPCA general note).

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 7a-12b (NC State Extension).
Light: full sun to part shade; needs daily sunlight for most varieties (UF/IFAS)
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: Mowing height - Florida (UF/IFAS LH005): 2-4 inches, variety dependent; UF/IFAS Mowing Your Florida Lawn: 2.5-4.0 inches, dwarf varieties below 3 inches. North Carolina (NC State Carolina Lawns): 2.5-4 inches with a rotary mower. Plant height and spread: not listed on the NC State Plant Toolbox page. Spacing: Not applicable for sod. It is not sold as seed and is planted as sod, plugs or sprigs (UF/IFAS; NC State).
Where it comes from: Warm regions of Africa and South America and the southeastern US (NC State Extension).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon