Scotts ProVista St. Augustine Sod

A lush front yard of Scotts ProVista St. Augustinegrass, showcasing its dense, weed-free, dark green turf. Scotts ProVista St. Augustinegrass is a game-changing cultivar that brings something truly unique to Florida lawns: half the mowing and complete weed control with Roundup® (glyphosate). Launched around 2019 after two decades of research and development by Scotts Miracle-Gro, ProVista is built on the proven genetics of Floratam St. Augustine – meaning it looks and feels like the classic Florida lawn grass – but with modern enhancements that make lawn care easier. It is the first glyphosate-tolerant St. Augustinegrass, allowing homeowners to spray away tough weeds without harming the grass. Additionally, ProVista grows about 50% slower vertically, significantly reducing how often it needs to be mowed. With its deep green color, improved shade tolerance, and low-growth habit, ProVista is marketed as a premium solution for those who want a beautiful lawn with a lot less effort. Essentially, it’s St. Augustine re-engineered for the 21st century yard.

Origin and Development

ProVista is the result of advanced turfgrass breeding techniques, including genetic modification. Scotts (in collaboration with the University of Florida and others) spent many years to incorporate a gene that confers glyphosate resistance into Floratam St. Augustine. This is similar technology to “Roundup Ready” crops used in agriculture. By the time it was released, over $100 million and countless field trials had been invested to ensure that the grass performs well and the trait is stable. ProVista hit the consumer market in Florida initially, as Florida’s lawn conditions provided the perfect testing ground (hot climate, lots of sun, plenty of weed pressure).

The year of introduction was 2019 (the product was officially unveiled then, and sod farms began growing it for sale). It’s a proprietary cultivar, meaning Scotts controls its licensing – you can only buy from authorized growers. Early adopters included high-end residential landscapes and some commercial sites where lawn maintenance costs needed to be lowered. Now, a few years on, ProVista is becoming more available to homeowners seeking the ultimate low-maintenance St. Augustine. It has the backing of Scotts’ name, which provides assurance of quality and ongoing support (for instance, Scotts has guidelines for care and even specific fertilizers marketed for ProVista).

Growth Habits and Appearance

At first glance, a ProVista lawn looks like a really well-kept Floratam lawn – dense, carpet-like, and very dark green. That’s intentional: it was based on Floratam genetics, and indeed the blade width and overall texture are very similar to Floratam. The grass has a coarse blade, about 8-9 mm wide, and a rich green hue that holds year-round in South Florida and through the growing season elsewhere. Many people comment that ProVista appears “uniform” and manicured even before much manicuring has been done – this is largely due to its slow vertical growth. The grass stays lower by nature, so it seldom looks shaggy or overgrown. It also has a horizontal growth habit, sending out plenty of stolons sideways to ensure thick coverage.

ProVista’s stolon density is high, contributing to its thick groundcover and ability to crowd out weeds. Under the hood, it develops a substantial root system as well, similar to Floratam. In terms of growth rate: vertically, it’s a snail compared to regular St. Augustine. If a typical St. Augustine might grow an inch or more a week in summer, ProVista might grow only half that or even less, meaning it just doesn’t shoot up as fast. Horizontally, however, it fills in nicely – so when sodded or plugged, it establishes a uniform turf without thin spots.

Another plus, ProVista was selected to have improved shade tolerance relative to Floratam. It’s reported to need only ~4 hours of direct sunlight (or equivalent filtered light) to do well. This places its shade performance in line with, or even slightly better than, Palmetto and some other semi-dwarf cultivars. That’s noteworthy because a lot of times slow-growing turf cultivars struggle in shade, but ProVista managed to combine shade tolerance with slow growth.

ProVista, like other St. Augustine lawns, will go dormant in colder winter regions (brown in frosty North Florida winters, for example). Its cold tolerance is comparable to Floratam (so, decent in Central Florida, more risk of winter damage in far North Florida or beyond). It’s primarily targeted for USDA zones 8b-10 (warm humid South). One thing to keep in mind: because ProVista is so thick and low, it may accumulate thatch if not cared for – similar to any dense turf, occasional aeration or dethatching might be needed, though its slower growth could actually mean less thatch production over time compared to a fast-growing grass constantly generating new runners.

In a nutshell, ProVista’s habit can be described as “thick and slow” – it makes a thick lawn, but grows slow upward, which is a dream combo for maintenance. Visually, the lawn’s color is a deep blue-green and very uniform, often eliciting compliments from neighbors. It essentially gives a luxurious look that stays tidy longer between mows.

Mowing Requirements – Half the Mowing?

The slogan often associated with ProVista is “50% less mowing.” For many busy homeowners, that alone grabs attention! In practice, this means if you usually had to mow your St. Augustine lawn weekly, you might be able to mow ProVista every other week and achieve a similar appearance. ProVista’s slow vertical growth allows the grass to sit at a maintained height for longer without looking tall or scraggly.

Recommended mowing height for ProVista is about 2.5 to 3.5 inches. You can maintain it on the shorter side of the typical St. Augustine range because of its horizontal growth habit. Many users find around 3 inches is ideal, providing a smooth, tight look. If you prefer a slightly taller lawn, 3.5 inches is fine too. Even at that height, you’ll still mow less often than you would with Floratam at the same height.

One nice advantage: because you’re mowing less frequently, you’re also putting less wear on the grass from mowing activities (each mow can stress grass a bit, especially in hot weather). This means fewer chances of scalping or other mowing-related issues. When you do mow ProVista, treat it like any St. Augustine – use a sharp blade and try not to remove more than one-third of the blade length at a time. If you fall behind on mowing (maybe it rained for two weeks straight and you couldn’t mow), you might need to do a gradual height reduction or cut twice (once high, then lower) to avoid scalp damage since even slow-growing grass will eventually get tall.

Practically speaking, in summer you might mow ProVista every 10-14 days instead of every 7. In spring and fall, maybe every 2-3 weeks. In winter (if in South FL where it doesn’t go fully dormant), maybe once a month just to tidy it. This reduced frequency can save time, fuel, and also is environmentally friendly (less emissions from power mowing). Additionally, some landscape maintenance companies charge less for properties with ProVista or are able to redirect labor elsewhere because the lawn doesn’t demand weekly cutting.

It’s worth noting that you should not completely neglect mowing – it’s still important to maintain some schedule. If ProVista is never mowed, it will eventually grow taller than ideal, and its thatch may build up. But overall, users of ProVista are finding that “I can’t believe it’s already time to mow again” feeling happens far less often. The grass simply grows at a more leisurely pace.

Glyphosate Tolerance – Weed Control Game-Changer

The hallmark feature of ProVista is its glyphosate (Roundup) tolerance. This trait allows homeowners to apply glyphosate herbicide over the entire lawn to kill weeds without killing the grass. Traditionally, spraying Roundup on your lawn would be unthinkable – it would kill the grass and everything. But ProVista is genetically engineered to survive glyphosate applications (up to certain rates). This means tough perennial weeds like torpedograss, Bermuda grass, crabgrass, and other invasive grasses – which are very hard to control with selective lawn herbicides – can be eliminated by broadcast-spraying Roundup on a ProVista lawn.

In practical use, suppose you notice patches of Bermuda grass invasion. On a normal St. Augustine yard, you’d be stuck trying to spot-treat or even physically remove them, often with limited success. On ProVista, you can spray those patches (or the whole lawn) with a proper dilution of glyphosate. The weeds will die, and the ProVista grass will remain unharmed. It’s recommended to use only glyphosate with no other active ingredients (some Roundup products contain extras like dicamba – those are not safe for ProVista). You also must follow Scotts’ guidelines on rates – typically a certain ounces per gallon that’s known to be safe. Over-applying even glyphosate could still harm the grass if you went wild with it, as tolerance has limits.

For homeowners, this tolerance effectively gives complete weed control capability. Pesky dollarweed, sedges, etc., can all be killed with Roundup if needed (though there are also selective herbicides for those). The biggest benefit is for weedy grasses, which are the bane of many St. Augustine lawns. No more painstakingly painting Roundup on individual weed grass blades with a brush – you can blanket spray and trust your lawn will be okay.

Of course, good lawn maintenance will prevent many weeds from ever taking hold (ProVista’s dense growth already suppresses a lot of them). But weeds are inevitable to some degree. With ProVista, any outbreak can be “reset” with a spray, which is incredibly liberating for lawn care regimes. It’s important, however, to educate anyone who works on your lawn (or neighbors, etc.) that your grass is Roundup-tolerant – you wouldn’t want an unknowing neighbor overspraying something thinking it’ll kill your lawn when it won’t, or vice versa.

Also, being able to use glyphosate might reduce the need for other herbicides that can stress grass. Many selective weed killers for St. Augustine (like Atrazine or 2,4-D mixes) have to be used carefully to avoid damaging the grass, especially in summer heat. ProVista simplifies the chemical toolbox: glyphosate for most things, done. That said, it doesn’t mean you must spray often – if your lawn is mostly weed-free, good cultural practices (mowing, feeding, etc.) might keep it that way without much spraying at all.

In summary, ProVista’s Roundup tolerance is a revolutionary weed management tool. It’s one of the main reasons people opt for this grass despite its higher cost. The peace of mind that you can always take out unwanted invasive plants without harming your lawn is a huge plus, particularly in Florida where aggressive weeds and encroaching grass types are common.

Shade and Traffic Tolerance

Aside from mowing and weed advantages, ProVista also offers improved shade tolerance and solid wear tolerance. As mentioned, it can do well with as little as four hours of sun per day. Many Floratam lawns fail in such conditions, but ProVista can stay thick in areas of the yard that receive partial shade (like the north side of a house or under widely spaced tree canopies). Its performance in shade is often compared to Palmetto or BitterBlue – good, though not quite as shade-adapted as dwarf cultivars. But unlike some shade-tolerant types that are delicate, ProVista keeps the robust body of Floratam, meaning you get the best of both worlds: strength and shade adaptability.

What about wear and tear? ProVista’s dense, horizontal growth helps it withstand foot traffic and recover from damage quickly. If you have kids or pets running on the lawn, ProVista holds up about as well as any St. Augustine (which in general is only moderate in wear tolerance). One interesting aspect: because you can control weeds easily, any areas that do get worn to bare soil can be quickly reclaimed by the grass without weed competition. And since ProVista doesn’t grow super tall, it might not get as easily trampled or laid over – it kind of stays low and springy.

Scotts promotes ProVista for high-traffic areas partly due to its ability to fill in bare spots. Let’s say you have a dog that created a bare path. With ProVista, you could remove the cause of compaction, loosen soil, and the grass will creep back, or you could plug in some ProVista pieces. Any opportunistic weeds that normally seize on a bare spot can be nuked with Roundup, giving ProVista free rein to reclaim the area. This gives it an edge in maintaining overall lawn integrity.

Now, it’s not a sports turf like Bermuda – if you play intense sports on it, it will still get beat up. But for typical residential and light commercial use, it’s quite durable. Many users find that because they mow less, they themselves cause less wear on the lawn (fewer mower passes means less wheel traffic on the grass). And when they do mow, ProVista’s stolons are firmly rooted, reducing the chance of ripping out runners.

In Florida’s climate, where heavy thunderstorms can saturate the ground, ProVista’s stout stolons might also help prevent erosion or wash-outs in the lawn – the mat is thick and interconnected. It’s a minor point, but a tightly knit lawn resists damage from occasional flooding or water flow better than a thin one.

Pest and Disease Profile

ProVista, being derived from Floratam, carries a similar pest and disease profile as Floratam does – with no special resistances to insects or most diseases. It did not inherit or develop the enhanced disease resistance that CitraBlue has, for instance. So, you will need to watch out for chinch bugs, lawn caterpillars, and fungal diseases in a ProVista lawn much as you would any St. Augustine.

The good news is, ProVista’s dense and slower-growing nature doesn’t inherently make it more disease-prone. In fact, because you won’t be pumping it with fertilizer to keep it green (it’s naturally dark green), you might inadvertently keep disease pressure lower by not over-fertilizing. Still, conditions like very wet weather or overwatering can trigger large patch or gray leaf spot on ProVista. The grass will respond to fungicides similarly to Floratam if treatment is needed.

For insects: chinch bugs love thatch and sunny St. Augustine, and ProVista can develop thatch (though slower growth might mean a bit less thatch over time). Keep an eye on the usual hotspots (along concrete edges where it’s hotter/drier) for chinch bug activity. ProVista doesn’t have the initial chinch bug resistance that Floratam once had – that trait was unrelated to the modifications done. So, plan on the standard chinch bug prevention or treatment regimen in summer.

One advantage though: because ProVista can be sprayed with glyphosate, you have the ability to easily kill off weeds that might otherwise harbor pests or diseases around the lawn. Also, a weed-free, uniform lawn is easier to scout – you won’t confuse a patch of sedge damage for something else. Essentially, while ProVista doesn’t resist bugs or fungus itself, it simplifies other aspects of maintenance such that you might manage issues more promptly (for example, not mistaking a brown patch of weed grass for disease).

There’s also no evidence that ProVista is any more or less susceptible to the Sugarcane Mosaic Virus than Floratam. Since it is Floratam-based, it likely could succumb to Lethal Viral Necrosis if infected by that virus, which is something to consider in areas where that virus is active. If LVN is a concern, one might lean towards a cultivar like CitraBlue instead. At this time, ProVista’s strengths are maintenance-related, not biology-related (aside from glyphosate gene).

In practice, many ProVista owners find they spend less time worrying about diseases or minor issues simply because the lawn tends to look good with minimal input – but one should be careful not to attribute that solely to the grass’s genetics when it may be also because they are naturally not forced to fertilize or water as much (which can reduce disease likelihood). Continue to follow best practices: water in early morning, avoid evening irrigation, mow at proper height, and treat pests when noticed. ProVista, with proper care, will handle these stressors as well as any Floratam lawn (and a healthy Floratam lawn is pretty hardy on its own in most cases).

Pros of Scotts ProVista St. Augustinegrass

Dramatically Reduced Mowing: Grows about half as fast vertically as typical St. Augustine, allowing for far fewer mowings and easier maintenance schedules.
Glyphosate (Roundup) Tolerant: You can spray the entire lawn with glyphosate herbicide to kill tough weeds without harming the grass – a unique and powerful weed control advantage.
Dense, Dark Green Lawn: Produces a thick, uniform, dark green turf that is aesthetically pleasing, giving a high-end lawn look with less effort.
Good Shade Tolerance: Performs well in moderate shade (needs only ~4 hours of sun), maintaining better coverage in mixed sun/shade sites than Floratam.
Weed Suppression: The combination of a dense growth habit and the option to use Roundup as needed results in an exceptionally weed-free lawn.
Less Thatch and Clippings: Slower growth means less biomass production; the lawn produces fewer clippings and potentially less thatch over time, reducing that maintenance aspect.
Floratam Qualities Improved: Retains Floratam’s positive qualities (heat tolerance, adaptation to Florida climate, coarse tough blades) while enhancing color and reducing maintenance negatives.

Cons of Scotts ProVista St. Augustinegrass

Higher Initial Cost: ProVista sod is premium-priced – typically significantly more expensive than standard St. Augustine sod – due to the technology and licensing.
Availability: Limited to licensed growers and suppliers; depending on your area, it may be harder to find or involve wait times for delivery as it gains production.
No Special Pest/Disease Resistance: Still susceptible to chinch bugs, webworms, and fungal diseases like any St. Augustine, so standard lawn pest management is still required.
Potential Herbicide Confusion: Must ensure only glyphosate (Roundup) is used for weed spraying – other common lawn herbicides can still harm ProVista (and conversely, glyphosate would kill any non-ProVista grass areas). This could be a learning curve and require careful communication with lawn service companies.
Patented/Proprietary: As a proprietary grass, you are somewhat “locked in” to buying from Scotts’ network; also you cannot propagate it yourself for sale, etc. (for most homeowners this isn’t an issue).
Moderate Thatch: While slower growing, ProVista can thatch due to its stolon density, especially if over-fertilized. Occasional aeration or dethatching may be needed in the long term.
Cold Sensitivity: Has similar cold tolerance to Floratam – which means it’s not ideal for climates with hard freezes; primarily suited for Florida and Gulf Coast states (not really a con within its intended region, but worth noting if someone is at the fringe area for St. Augustinegrass).

When to Choose ProVista (Comparisons)

ProVista represents a new category of lawn grass focused on maintenance reduction. If you despise frequent mowing or have a large lawn that takes a long time to mow, ProVista can be a game-changer. Compared to Floratam, ProVista will save you labor on mowing and headaches on weed control, while providing a similar look. It does come at a higher price point, so it’s a bit of an investment up front that pays off over time with potentially lower lawn care costs (less mowing, fewer different herbicides needed, etc.). If you love the idea of a Floratam lawn but know you have a weed like Bermuda that always invades – ProVista is almost a no-brainer because it gives you a tool to keep that Bermuda out.

Compared to Palmetto or other semi-dwarfs, ProVista is different in focus: Palmetto was about shade and slightly lower growth, but ProVista takes low growth to another level and adds the herbicide trait. Palmetto might still be slightly cheaper and proven, but you’d choose ProVista if mowing/weed convenience outweighs everything for you. ProVista’s color is darker than Palmetto’s, which some might prefer.

Compared to CitraBlue, these two are the new heavyweights but in different corners. CitraBlue is ideal for folks who have had disease or significant shade problems – it’s bred to be worry-free in those areas – whereas ProVista is ideal for those who want to simplify mowing and weed care. Both have good shade tolerance and great color. It might come down to your personal lawn challenges: lots of trees and mildew in your area? CitraBlue. Wide open lawn that just grows like crazy and gets crabgrass? ProVista. Some homeowners are even considering mixing the two in different zones of the yard (though merging cultivars can be tricky to manage). It’s fair to say ProVista and CitraBlue are not really “one better than the other,” but rather each is superior in different aspects. Both are leaps ahead of old Floratam for a modern lawn.

ProVista vs. Zoysia or Bermuda: Occasionally, people debate using a completely different grass for low maintenance, like a zoysia. ProVista offers many of the ease-of-maintenance benefits one might seek (like slow growth similar to some zoysias and weed control like some modified Bermudas) while keeping the beloved look and softer feel of St. Augustine. It fills a niche for those who might have considered a different grass solely due to maintenance, by making St. Augustine more competitive on that front.

Tips for Homeowners Using ProVista

Invest Time in Proper Installation: Because of the cost, you want to ensure ProVista sod takes off perfectly. Prepare the soil well (remove old vegetation completely, till and level the soil, amend if necessary). Install the sod as soon as it’s delivered (fresh is best) and water it diligently to establish. ProVista’s dense sod comes in slabs or rolls like any other – be sure to butt pieces tightly as it doesn’t grow tall to hide gaps easily.
Calibrate Your Herbicide Sprayer: If you plan to take advantage of the Roundup tolerance, get a good sprayer and calibrate it to apply the correct amount of glyphosate. Scotts provides guidance (e.g., they might recommend a 41% glyphosate product at X ounces per gallon over Y sq. ft.). Applying too much glyphosate can yellow the ProVista (or in extreme cases, harm it), so follow the recommendations closely. The good news is you might only need to do blanket sprays infrequently (some do one in spring and one in late summer, for example, or just spot treat weeds as they appear).
Integrated Weed Management: While Roundup is your ace card, still practice normal weed prevention: keep your lawn thick (easy with ProVista), mow at the right height, and avoid bringing in weed seeds. You may find far fewer weeds crop up in a well-maintained ProVista lawn to begin with – many users report an almost golf-course-like weed-free look most of the time. Use the glyphosate tool when needed, but you might not need it as often as you’d think once the lawn is established and dense.
Fertilization: ProVista generally requires standard fertilization, but perhaps slightly less nitrogen than a super-fast-growing grass (because you’re not trying to fuel a lot of vertical growth). It already tends to stay green with moderate feeding. Follow the Florida-friendly fertilizer schedule and maybe lean toward a bit lower end of nitrogen range to avoid thatch and unneeded growth spurts. Its dark color often means even a modest feeding results in a rich-looking lawn.
Monitor for Bugs and Disease: Don’t let the ease of mowing/weeding make you forget to stroll the lawn and check for issues. Because you’ll be mowing less, each mow is a good time to inspect the grass more closely. Check the thatch layer for chinch bugs in summer, and look at the leaf blades for any spots or irregular discoloration that might indicate fungus or pests. Early detection is just as important with ProVista as any grass. The sooner you catch a chinch bug patch, for example, the quicker you can address it and let the grass recover (which ProVista will do readily once the pest is gone).
Edging and Detailing: Note that while the main lawn may not need mowing as often, the edges by driveways or flower beds might still grow fast due to lack of competition or extra heat. You may still need to edge along sidewalks at a regular frequency, because stolons will creep. The slower vertical growth mainly affects blade height, not the speed at which stolons can spread sideways. Just incorporate edging into your routine (though even that might be slightly less frequent if overall growth is slower).
Enjoy the Time Savings: With ProVista, you’ll likely find you spend more time enjoying your lawn than laboring on it. Take advantage of that! Host that barbecue or play catch with the kids, and relish that your lawn isn’t as demanding. Many homeowners genuinely feel a weight lifted with ProVista – the grass is more forgiving if you skip a week of care. You might even redirect your yard work energy to other areas like the garden, now that the lawn isn’t hogging all the attention.

Scotts ProVista St. Augustinegrass is an innovative lawn solution ideally suited for Florida homeowners who want a beautiful St. Augustine lawn with significantly reduced maintenance hassle. It embodies a new era where biotechnology meets backyard, delivering real advantages in mowing and weed control. While it comes with a higher upfront cost and still needs standard vigilance for pests, its benefits can far outweigh the negatives for those who value their time and the appearance of their lawn. Early adopters are often enthusiastic about the results – a consistently neat, lush lawn that doesn’t rule their weekly schedule. ProVista essentially lets you work smarter, not harder, on your lawn, all while enjoying the classic charm of a St. Augustine grass yard. It truly is a revolutionary option that is shaping the future of Florida lawns.