Floratam St. Augustine
Dark Green Color
Vigorous Growth
Southern Favorite
Floratam St. Augustine is one of the most widely used St. Augustinegrass cultivars in the southern United States. Released jointly by the University of Florida and Texas A&M University in 1973, Floratam is known for its vigorous warm-season growth, coarse texture, and attractive dark green color. It establishes readily from sod and performs particularly well in warm, sunny landscapes where ample sunlight is available.
Attributes & Benefits
Produces an attractive, rich green lawn
Establishes and spreads readily through above-ground stolons
Thrives in hot, humid Southern climates
Creates a full, attractive turf canopy that works well for residential and commercial landscapes
One of the dominant St. Augustinegrass cultivars in the South
Sod-Friendly Establishment
Pedigree
Floratam was jointly developed and released in 1973 by the University of Florida and Texas A&M University as an improved St. Augustinegrass cultivar. Its name combines portions of the names Florida and Texas A&M, reflecting the collaboration between the two institutions. Floratam quickly became the dominant St. Augustinegrass cultivar in Florida and remains one of the most widely produced and used St. Augustinegrasses throughout the southern United States.
Best Uses
Airways, tees and roughs
Home lawns, commercial properties
Medium to high-end athletic fields
Sunlight Requirement:
Mowing:
Fertility:
Insect Control:
Weed Control:
Best Management Practices
Best Uses
Best Management Practices
Sunlight: Floratam performs best in full sun and requires approximately 6 hours or more of direct sunlight per day. It is not a good choice for heavily shaded sites.
Mowing: Maintain Floratam at approximately 3.5–4 inches. Avoid removing more than one-third of the leaf blade during a single mowing.
Watering: Water deeply and infrequently once the turf is established, adjusting irrigation according to rainfall, soil conditions, and seasonal demand. Morning irrigation helps reduce evaporation and allows foliage to dry during the day.
Fertilization: Use soil-test results and local recommendations to establish an appropriate fertilization program. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage rapid growth and increase susceptibility to certain pests and diseases.
Pest Management: Floratam originally had documented resistance to chinch bugs, but that resistance has largely diminished over time. Chinch bugs are now considered a significant pest of Floratam, so regular monitoring is important.
Cold & Shade Considerations: Select it for warm, sunny sites rather than areas with extended shade or frequent cold stress.
Buy Sod's Quality Assurance
Choosing certified sod is the only way you can be certain that the variety you receive is exactly what you purchased. Buy Sod produces only “Blue Tag” certified sod in accordance with state certification standards and protocols, ensuring genetic purity and uniformity, and a certification tag accompanies every order.
