St. Augustinegrass is mown higher than most lawn grasses, and cutting it short is a common
way to weaken it. UF/IFAS Extension publishes the heights.
Height and frequency
| Factor | Published value |
|---|---|
| Standard cultivars (BitterBlue, Classic, Floratam) | 3.5 to 4 inches, rotary mower |
| Maximum removed per mowing | No more than one third of the leaf blades |
| Water per irrigation application | One-half to three-quarters inch |
The one-third rule sets mowing frequency rather than the calendar: a lawn held at 4 inches is mown
before it passes about 6 inches.
Why this grass is used here
St. Augustinegrass produces a green to blue-green dense turf that is well adapted to most soils and
climatic regions in Florida. It has relatively good salt tolerance, and certain cultivars have better
shade tolerance than other warm-season grass species — the salt tolerance being the property that
matters most on coastal ground.
It cannot be started from seed
St. Augustinegrass is established by vegetative propagation only, which includes sod, plugs or
sprigs. A bare patch is closed by laying material rather than sowing it.
Sources
- UF/IFAS Extension ENH5/LH010 (Trenholm, Shaddox, Schiavon, Unruh & Kenworthy) — edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh010 (read 2026-07-30)
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