floratam
Mia Russell
Updated on July 10, 2026
Actually, there isn’t any! “Floratam” is a cultivar* of St. Augustinegrass developed by the University of Florida and Texas A&M University and released in 1973 (hence the name: “Flora” and “TAM” = Floratam).
How do I know if I have floratam?
Distinguishing St.
Augustine grasses have specific characteristics, but Floratam is the easiest to identify. The blades are wide, and the stolons, or stems, are purplish in color. Each grass blade grows at least 3 inches apart and has white roots, and its color is a blue-green, according to Plant Answers.
What’s the difference between St. Augustine grass and floratam grass?
Floratam Cultivar
Like most St. Augustine grasses, Floratam is coarse-textured grass, but a distinguishing feature of Floratam is its longer and wider leaf blades. This dark-green cultivar grows rapidly in both spring and summer. It is less cold and shade tolerant than other St.
What is floratam variety of St. Augustine?
Released by the Florida and Texas Agricultural Experiment Stations in the early 1970s, Floratam St. Augustine is a chinch bug and SAD virus resistant variety of St. Augustine. Floratam is a hardy and coarse textured grass with wider and longer blades than common St.
How do you take care of floratam grass?
After Floratam grass is established, it needs about 1″ of water each week. What’s really important is that the watering is a good, even soaking. So, it’s better to give the grass a nice thorough watering for 30 to 45 minutes at a time than to spritz it throughout the week for only 5 or 10 minutes each time.
How do you take care of floratam grass in Florida?
Mow brown floratam grass to no less than 2 1/2 inches and no more than 4 inches when it turns green. Leave the clippings on the lawn unless they clump. Mow your lawn every five to seven days unless you are experiencing a drought.
What grass can I mix with St. Augustine?
Bermuda mixes well with St. Augustine because it will quickly fill in the patches in the lawn that would take longer to reach with all sod. Bermuda grass seed is less expensive to plant and will spread quickly across your lawn.
Is Zoysia better than St. Augustine?
The benefit of Zoysia grass over St. Augustine is only under severe drought conditions. In severe drought situations, Zoysia grass would be more likely to ultimately recover, while St. Augustine grass may require replacement.
Is floratam drought tolerant?
Floratam is considered the best drought-resistant cultivar. Zoysia grass tolerates sun and shade but is slow growing compared to Bermuda and St. Augustine. Once Zoysia is established, it provides a lush, green carpet of turf.
Which St. Augustine grass is best for full sun?
It is one of the most popular types of grass for home lawns in Florida. It’s also used for pasture grass in rural areas. Floratam St. Augustine needs sun, and lots of it, unlike its Seville and Palmetto cousins.
Why is my St. Augustine grass yellow?
ANSWER: This yellowing is likely due to all of the rain. Rains leach nitrogen out of the soil, which causes some yellowing. Also, when the soil stays wet, grass roots are stressed and don’t work as well. So the roots may not be properly absorbing minerals like nitrogen from the soil.
How can you tell St. Augustine from floratam?
Floratam Saint Augustine: Floratam is coarse-textured grass, but a distinguishing feature of Floratam is its longer and wider leaf blades. This dark-green cultivar grows rapidly in both spring and summer. It is less cold and shade tolerant than other St.
What is the best fertilizer for floratam?
A soluble 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 fertilizer is best. An additional application of 1 pound of potassium per 1,000 square feet of lawn is needed in late summer or early fall before the grass loses its color.
What is the difference between St. Augustine floratam and St. Augustine Palmetto?
Once established, Floratam tends to drown out most weeds that try to infiltrate it. Palmetto is a native cultivar selected for better color and finer texture than Floratam. Palmetto has a nice dark green color with finer blades that give it a softer “foot” feel than its relatives—Floratam and Bitter blue.
Is floratam grass good?
Floratam St Augustine is a great grass that thrives well in most environments. It really needs to have full sun or light shade, with emphasis on light. Too much shade, too little water, or poor soil can all lead this grass to fail.
How do I make my St. Augustine grass thicker?
How To Make St. Augustine Grass Thicker
Preparation. It is best to purchase St. Irrigation. This is especially important after installing sod for the first time. Mowing. These tips are quite simple: leave no less than two thirds of its length intact, mow with sharp blades, and don’t bag the trimmings. Fertilizing. Weeding.