Floratam St. Augustinegrass thriving in a sunny Florida lawn. Floratam is the most widely planted St. Augustinegrass cultivar in Florida, well-known as the “standard” lawn grass for sunny yards. Introduced in 1973 through a joint effort by the University of Florida and Texas A&M, Floratam’s name itself is a blend of “Florida” and “TAMU.” This coarse-textured grass became popular for its vigorous growth and lush coverage in warm weather. Homeowners appreciate its ability to establish quickly and create a dense, cushioned lawn in full sun. In fact, Floratam grows so robustly in summer that it often outcompetes weeds when healthy and well-maintained. If you’ve admired the deep green, sprawling lawns across Florida neighborhoods, there’s a good chance you were looking at Floratam St. Augustine.
Growth Habits and Characteristics
Floratam has a rapid, spreading growth habit driven by thick above-ground stolons (runners). These stolons can be purplish in full sun and creep over the soil surface, rooting at the nodes to form new plants. Floratam’s blades are broad and coarse, giving the lawn a textured appearance up close (though from a distance it looks plush and uniform). It thrives in Florida’s heat and humidity, putting on its most vigorous growth in late spring and summer. During warm rainy periods, Floratam can grow quite fast vertically, meaning frequent mowing is needed to keep it tidy. It forms a dense turf in ideal conditions, but its large leaf blades and stolon spacing mean it’s slightly more open in texture than some finer grasses. This cultivar is propagated vegetatively (via sod pieces or plugs) only, since it’s a sterile hybrid that doesn’t produce viable seed.
One notable characteristic is Floratam’s poor tolerance for cool weather. In North and Central Florida, Floratam will go dormant and turn brown when winter frosts arrive, greening up again in spring. It’s less cold-hardy than some other St. Augustine cultivars (like ‘Raleigh’), so it really shines in the warmer regions or during the hot season. When grown in the right climate and given ample sunshine, Floratam creates a thick, carpet-like lawn that feels soft underfoot despite the wider blades. Overall, it’s a fast-growing, coarse but attractive grass that quickly covers bare ground in suitable conditions.
Recommended Mowing Height and Maintenance
Because Floratam grows tall quickly, proper mowing is crucial to its care. Recommended mowing height is 3½ to 4 inches. Keeping Floratam at this taller height encourages a deeper root system and a healthier lawn. When mowed too low (below 3 inches), Floratam lawns become stressed – you’ll see scalping, weaker roots, and more weeds creeping in. During the peak growing season, be prepared to mow at least once a week (sometimes every 5–7 days in mid-summer). Always follow the “one-third rule” (never removing more than one-third of the leaf blade at a time) to avoid shocking the grass. If you miss a mowing and the grass gets too tall, raise the mower height, cut, and then gradually lower it over subsequent mowings.
Floratam tends to produce thatch (a layer of undecomposed stolons and stems) if over-fertilized and over-watered. You can minimize thatch by sticking to moderate fertilization schedules and avoiding mowing too infrequently. It’s a good idea to rake or vertically mow (dethatch) every couple of years if thatch builds up. In terms of watering, Floratam needs regular moisture to stay green during drought, but it’s often called “drought-tolerant” in that it will survive dry spells by going semi-dormant. Water your Floratam lawn deeply but infrequently – about ½ to ¾ inch of water 2–3 times a week during hot, dry periods (less if there’s rain). This grass will let you know it’s thirsty when the blades fold or take on a dull bluish hue. Proper irrigation and mowing practices go a long way to keeping Floratam looking lush.
Shade Tolerance
One major limitation of Floratam is its very low shade tolerance. Floratam absolutely loves full sun and generally requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to maintain vigor. In anything more than light shade, Floratam will thin out dramatically. You might notice it surviving (but struggling) in partial shade by growing longer, more spindly stolons with thin blades – a sign it’s reaching for more light. Under dense shade (for example, beneath large trees or between buildings), a Floratam lawn will develop bare patches and weak, leggy growth before eventually dying off if conditions don’t improve.
Homeowners with shady yards should be cautious about choosing Floratam. If you have areas that get morning sun and afternoon shade (or vice versa), Floratam might hang on, but you’ll likely see a decline in turf quality over time. Compared to other St. Augustine cultivars, Floratam is often ranked at the bottom for shade performance. For shady spots, a more shade-tolerant cultivar (like ‘Seville’, ‘BitterBlue’ or the newer ‘CitraBlue’) would be a better choice. In summary, plant Floratam only in areas with ample sunshine. It will reward you with a thick green lawn in open sun, but it simply isn’t built for the shade.
Drought and Heat Tolerance
Floratam was long thought to be more drought-tolerant than other grasses – it’s sometimes marketed as such – but in reality it has similar water needs to other St. Augustine varieties. It does have a relatively deep root system and can endure short droughts by going semi-dormant (turning dull and brownish) and then recovering when rain returns. However, expect to irrigate Floratam during extended dry periods to keep it green. It’s not a “xeriscape” grass by any means; like all St. Augustinegrass, it needs water to stay actively growing and lush. The good news is Floratam’s vigorous nature helps it recover from drought injury quickly once watered.
When it comes to Florida’s intense heat and humidity, Floratam excels. This grass is highly tolerant of heat, thriving in the steamy summers. It actually performs best in temperatures between about 80–95°F. Unlike cool-season grasses that suffer in high heat, Floratam keeps growing strong. Just remember that high heat combined with drought will cause it to go off-color unless watered. Floratam also handles saline conditions reasonably well (coastal homeowners often use St. Augustine for its moderate salt tolerance). It can take some salt spray or occasional brackish irrigation better than many other lawn grasses, although prolonged salt stress will eventually cause decline.
Disease and Pest Vulnerabilities
In terms of pests and diseases, Floratam has lost some of the advantages it once had. At the time of its release in the 1970s, Floratam was actually resistant to the southern chinch bug – a major pest of St. Augustine lawns. Unfortunately, over the decades chinch bugs have adapted, and Floratam is now very susceptible to chinch bug damage. In Florida, chinch bugs are a common menace that suck juices from the grass, causing large yellow-brown dead patches if not controlled. If you plant Floratam, plan on monitoring for chinch bugs (especially during warm months) and treating with appropriate insecticides or cultural controls at the first sign of damage.
Floratam is prone to several lawn diseases as well. It is not particularly resistant to fungal issues; gray leaf spot is a frequent disease in humid, rainy weather, causing grayish-brown blotches on the leaves. Large patch (brown patch) fungus can attack Floratam in the cooler, damp conditions of fall or spring, creating expanding brown circles. Another disease, take-all root rot, can strike if the lawn is stressed, leading to thinning and root decline. Good maintenance (proper watering, mowing, and avoiding excess fertilizer) helps reduce disease, but you may still need fungicide treatments in a bad outbreak.
One unique and serious threat to Floratam in recent years is Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SMV), which causes a condition popularly called Lethal Viral Necrosis in Floratam St. Augustine. This virus first appeared in south Florida and has been devastating Floratam lawns in some areas. Floratam is the only St. Augustinegrass cultivar that dies from SMV infection – within a few years of contracting the virus, the entire lawn will turn yellow, then brown, and not recover. Other cultivars can carry the virus but generally don’t die from it. Unfortunately, there’s no cure once Floratam is infected. If you live in an area where this virus is present (south Florida counties, for instance), you should consider alternatives to Floratam or be prepared to replace your lawn if it gets infected. On a positive note, Floratam is resistant to the St. Augustine Decline (SAD) virus (one reason it was created), but SAD is not as common a problem today as SMV.
Aside from viruses and fungi, keep an eye out for other pests: webworms and armyworms can chew on Floratam; mole crickets can disrupt roots (though they prefer other grasses usually); and nematodes in sandy soils might stress the lawn. In summary, Floratam lawns will likely require pest and disease vigilance. Regular inspection and prompt treatment at early signs of trouble will help keep your lawn intact. Many homeowners find that with proper care, Floratam can stay mostly pest-free, but it doesn’t have any special resistances that let you ignore these common Florida lawn issues.
Wear and Traffic Tolerance
All St. Augustine grasses have relatively poor wear tolerance compared to sports turf grasses like bermudagrass. Floratam is no exception – it’s not bred to withstand heavy foot traffic or constant activity. However, for normal residential use (the occasional backyard gathering, kids playing now and then, pet traffic), a healthy Floratam lawn usually holds up adequately. The grass blades are thick and a bit succulent, which means frequent trampling can bruise and tear them. The stolons can also be dislodged by sharp impacts. If your lawn sees the same path being walked on repeatedly (like a dog’s running trail or a path where people always cut across), Floratam will wear down in those high-traffic spots and you’ll notice bare soil or weed invasion.
On the bright side, Floratam’s fast growth helps it recover from damage during the growing season. Minor wear areas can fill back in given some time, warmth, and moisture. If you anticipate a lot of activity in one area (like a playset or sport area), you might need to overseed with a temporary grass or plan on patching sod periodically. For most homeowners who use their lawn lightly, wear isn’t a deal-breaker with Floratam – just avoid heavy, repetitive traffic patterns. Also, try to rotate activities to different sections of the yard to give grass a chance to recover. Remember, Floratam’s strength is as a lush landscape lawn, not a sports field, so treat it kindly for best results.
Pros of Floratam
- Fast Establishment: Floratam sod or plugs knit together quickly, creating a full lawn faster than many other grasses.
- Vigorous Growth: Grows rapidly in summer, filling in bare spots and choking out many weeds when healthy.
- Thick, Cushiony Turf: Makes a dense lawn in full sun that is comfortable for play and barefoot walking.
- Heat & Humidity Loving: Thrives in Florida’s hot, tropical conditions; doesn’t falter in intense summer heat.
- Moderate Salt Tolerance: Can be used in coastal yards or near roads where some salt exposure occurs.
- Widely Available & Affordable: As the most common sod, it’s easy to find and typically less expensive than specialty cultivars.
- Historical Pest Resistance: Originally resistant to SAD virus (and initially chinch bugs), which was beneficial (though chinch bugs adapted).
Cons of Floratam
- Poor Shade Tolerance: Performs terribly in shade – needs full sun, or it thins and dies.
- Cold Sensitive: Suffers in northern climates or frost-prone areas, going dormant or experiencing cold damage more than some varieties.
- High Maintenance Needs: Fast growth means frequent mowing; prone to thatch if overfed; not a “low-maintenance” grass.
- Pest & Disease Prone: Susceptible to chinch bugs, webworms, and fungal diseases (gray leaf spot, etc.), requiring vigilant lawn care.
- Mosaic Virus Vulnerability: Unique susceptibility to lethal viral necrosis (sugarcane mosaic virus) – a serious concern in parts of Florida.
- Coarse Texture: Blades are wider and not as fine as certain other turfgrasses, which some homeowners find less elegant (aesthetic preference).
- Herbicide Sensitivity: Floratam can be damaged by certain herbicides (for example, it doesn’t tolerate atrazine well in high heat).
Floratam vs. Other St. Augustine Cultivars
Floratam is often the benchmark for comparing other St. Augustine cultivars. In full sun and ideal conditions, Floratam’s performance is excellent, but newer cultivars have been developed to address Floratam’s weaknesses. For instance, Palmetto St. Augustine was introduced in the 1990s with a semi-dwarf growth habit; Palmetto is a bit finer in texture and has better shade and cold tolerance than Floratam (it can survive with slightly less sun and handle a light frost better). However, Palmetto doesn’t grow quite as aggressively as Floratam and tends to have a lighter green color. If your yard has some shade, Palmetto might maintain coverage where Floratam would thin out.
Another newer grass is CitraBlue St. Augustine, released in 2018 by UF. CitraBlue offers significantly improved shade tolerance and disease resistance. Compared to Floratam, CitraBlue stays fuller in partial shade and is less likely to be devastated by fungi like gray leaf spot. It also has a unique blue-green hue and a very dense, low-growth habit. In a head-to-head comparison, Floratam might still grow a bit faster, but CitraBlue will require less intervention with fungicides and can thrive in areas Floratam cannot. Homeowners who have struggled with Floratam due to shade or recurring disease are looking at CitraBlue as a promising alternative.
Then there’s Scotts ProVista St. Augustine, a game-changing variety that is actually bred from Floratam. ProVista has the same coarse texture and overall appearance as Floratam but was developed to need half the mowing and to be tolerant of glyphosate herbicide. In comparison to Floratam, a ProVista lawn grows more slowly upward (meaning fewer mowings) and you can spray weed-killer (RoundUp) over it to kill invasive weeds without harming the grass. ProVista also has better shade tolerance than Floratam. Essentially, ProVista is like Floratam 2.0 for those willing to invest in cutting-edge sod. The trade-off is cost – ProVista sod is more expensive – and Floratam is still slightly more time-tested in Florida (ProVista only hit the market around 2019).
Other St. Augustine cultivars include Raleigh (which is more cold-hardy for northern areas but actually more susceptible to certain diseases in Florida’s climate) and Seville (a dwarf type that excels in shade but needs careful maintenance). When comparing Floratam to all these, think of Floratam as the sun-loving workhorse: it does a fantastic job in the right environment but doesn’t flex much beyond that. Newer grasses are like specialized tools – each improving on a specific aspect (be it shade, mowing frequency, or pest resistance). If your lawn is a straightforward, sunny expanse and you’re diligent with care, Floratam remains an excellent choice that has stood the test of time. But if you have special challenges (like lots of shade or you desire lower maintenance), it’s worth considering these other cultivars that have been bred for those needs.
Additional Tips for Homeowners
- Use Floratam in the Right Place: Reserve Floratam for areas of your landscape that receive plenty of sun. For heavily shaded sections, you may mix in groundcovers or choose a different grass for those zones. Trying to force Floratam to grow where it’s unhappy will only lead to frustration.
- Watch for Early Signs of Trouble: Because Floratam can fall prey to pests and diseases quickly, make it a habit to stroll your lawn every week or so and look for early warning signs – yellow patches, chewed grass blades, etc. Catching chinch bugs or fungus early can save your lawn.
- Feed and Water Wisely: Floratam responds well to balanced fertilization (follow UF/IFAS guidelines for your region – typically feeding 2–4 times during the growing season). But avoid over-fertilizing, which can invite disease. Likewise, water deeply but don’t keep the lawn constantly soaked. A little stress between waterings encourages deeper roots.
- Mind the Virus Advisory: If you’re in South Florida where Lethal Viral Necrosis has been identified, consider talking to your county extension office. They may advise using a resistant cultivar instead of Floratam. If you already have Floratam, practice good sanitation (clean mower blades, avoid moving infected grass clippings around) to potentially slow the spread of the virus.
- Renovation Consideration: Because Floratam is vegetatively propagated, you’ll need to sod or plug it for establishment. Sodding an entire lawn is quickest. If patching an existing Floratam lawn, try to obtain Floratam sod or plugs to match (most turf suppliers carry it). Mixing Floratam with other cultivars in the same lawn isn’t recommended, as their growth habits and color may differ.
- Overall: Floratam remains a top choice for a classic Florida lawn if your site conditions are suitable. Its ability to create a picturesque, green lawn in the Florida sun is proven. With attentive care – mowing high, watering correctly, and keeping an eye out for pests – a Floratam lawn can reward you with beauty and enjoyment for years to come.