Developed as an overall upgrade over the Raleigh St. Augustine grass, Palmetto performs better in shade, cold, heat and drought. Palmetto also exhibits better tolerance to fungus and displays more color retention after freezes.  Identified as a top performer, The Grass Outlet is a licensed grower of Palmetto St. Augustine and we have continued to increase our production to supply the growing demand.

Key Points

  • Higher shade tolerance but still needs to receive sunlight
  • Grows in a wide range of climate and soils
  • Growth Density and Texture: Palmetto St. Augustine is a demi-dwarf grass that showcases a dense growth pattern with a medium-coarse texture.
  • Sunlight and Shade Tolerance: This grass variety thrives in sunny and shaded environments, making it a versatile choice for different landscapes.
  • Drought Resistance: Moderate to High once deep roots are established.
  • Growth Rate: Exhibits a rapid growth rate, ensuring it covers the ground adequately once established.
  • Disease and Insect Resistance: Palmetto St. Augustine is known for its resistance against armyworms and decline.
  • Mowing Requirements: It has low mowing requirements, making it a low-maintenance option for homeowners and landscapers.
  • pH Preferences: Adaptable.
  • Weed Resistance: The dense growth of Palmetto St. Augustine helps in crowding out weeds, thus providing natural weed control. Still, pre-emergent herbicides are recommended.
  • Fertilization Requirements: While it's not overly demanding, a balanced fertilization regimen helps maintain its lush appearance and overall health.
  • Suitable Environments: residential lawns, commercial landscapes, public areas, providing a visually appealing and durable turf solution.
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Palmetto St. Augustine Care Recommendations

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Performance

  • Mowing Frequency: Moderate
  • Mowing Height: 2 - 3 in
  • Drought Tolerance: Moderate
  • Cold Tolerance: Exceptional
  • Fall Color Retention: High
  • Injury Recovery: Moderate
  • Shade Tolerance: High
  • Wear Resistance: Moderate
  • Weed Resistance: Moderate
  • Spring Green Up: High

Insect Tolerance

  • Web Worms: Low
  • Chinch Bugs: Low
  • Army Worms: Exceptional

Disease Tolerance

  • Decline: Moderate
  • Brown Patch: Low
  • Grey Leaf Spot: Low

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Although Palmetto is the most shade-tolerant St. Augustine variety we offer, like all warm-season grasses, it still requires sunlight for optimal density and health, needing at least three to four hours of direct sunlight every day.

Caring for Palmetto St. Augustine grass involves ensuring it receives adequate sunlight, ideally 3-4 hours of direct exposure daily, and frequent mowing to maintain a height of 2 to 3 inches for optimal shade tolerance and density. It’s important to keep the soil moist, especially until the roots are well-established, and provide 4-5 pounds of nitrogen per thousand square feet annually. Regular use of both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides, along with attentive pest and disease management, are key to maintaining a healthy, dense lawn.

The ideal mowing height for Palmetto St. Augustine grass is between 2 to 3 inches. This height should be maintained by mowing every 2-3 days, ensuring not to remove more than one-third of the leaf tissue at a time, to promote density and lateral growth. Keeping Palmetto taller, especially in shadier areas, enhances its shade tolerance.