Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
8 - 10These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →Frost Tolerancetender
Overview
Stenotaphrum secundatum is a warm-season perennial stoloniferous grass reaching 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall (unmowed) with an aggressive, indefinite spread via thick, fleshy, above-ground stolons and a dense, coarse-textured turf habit. Native to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and coastal tropical/subtropical regions, it forms a thick, spongy, medium to dark green lawn with broad, flat blades 4-8 mm wide—the coarsest of common lawn grasses. Maintained at mowing heights of 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). Established exclusively by sod, plugs, or sprigs—does not produce viable seed in commercial quantities. The dominant warm-season lawn grass of the Gulf Coast states, Florida, and coastal Southeast. Shade-tolerant—the most shade-tolerant warm-season grass, maintaining turf in 4-6 hours of sun where bermudagrass and zoysiagrass fail.
Native Range
Stenotaphrum secundatum is native to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and coastal tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and Africa.Suggested Uses
Used in home lawns, parks, and commercial landscapes throughout the Gulf Coast, Florida, and coastal Southeast. Most shade-tolerant warm-season grass. Dense coarse spongy turf. Thick stolons—good erosion control. Salt-tolerant—coastal sites. Warm-season z8-10. Not suitable for northern climates (no cold tolerance), fine-textured lawns (coarsest grass), or high-traffic sports turf (poor wear tolerance). No seed—sod/plugs/sprigs only.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Short, branching inflorescences embedded in flattened, one-sided racemes in summer if unmowed. Generally inconspicuous. Produces little viable seed—propagated vegetatively.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Green; inconspicuous flattened racemes; summer if unmowedFoliage Description
Medium to dark green; broad flat coarse blades 4-8 mm; thick fleshy stolonsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Establish by sod, plugs (12-inch spacing), or sprigs in late spring to summer when soil is warm. Full sun to moderate shade (4-6 hours minimum). Fertile, moist, well-drained soil (pH 6.0-7.5). Mow at 3-4 inches with a sharp rotary mower. Water 1 inch per week. Fertilize 2-4 lb nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year. Warm-season—browns in winter dormancy below 55°F (13°C). Susceptible to chinch bugs, gray leaf spot, and SAD virus. Builds thatch—dethatch as needed.Pruning
Mow at 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) with a sharp rotary mower (too coarse for reel mowers). Never remove more than one-third of blade height. Mow higher in shade.Pruning Schedule
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