St. Augustine 'Palmetto' Plugs Care Guide

Introduction

St. Augustine 'Palmetto' Plugs (Stenotaphrum secundatum 'Palmetto') offer an economical way to establish or repair a Palmetto lawn. Individual plugs are planted in a grid pattern and spread to fill in over time. It is a moderate warm-season turfgrass with excellent shade tolerance and cold hardiness for Florida. Available as plugs.

Growing conditions

• Light: Full sun to partial shade; tolerates as little as 4 hours of direct sun daily.
• Water: Moderate; keep plugs consistently moist until established, then water deeply and infrequently.
• Soil: Well-draining soil; adaptable to a range of soil types including sandy Florida soils.
• Fertilizer: Starter fertilizer at planting; nitrogen-rich fertilizer 3 to 4 times per year once established.
• Season: Warm-season turfgrass; plant plugs in spring or summer for fastest establishment.

Planting tips

Plant plugs 6 to 12 inches apart in a grid pattern. Water immediately after planting and keep moist for the first 2 to 3 weeks. Plugs will spread and fill in within one growing season when planted in spring. Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches once established. One of the most cold-tolerant St. Augustine varieties.

Troubleshooting

Slow establishment

Insufficient water or planted too late in the season. Keep plugs consistently moist and plant in spring for fastest spread.

Chinch bugs

Irregular brown patches in sunny areas. Apply a labeled insecticide and water deeply to reduce stress.

Weed invasion

Gaps between plugs allow weeds to establish. Plant plugs closer together and hand-pull weeds until grass fills in.

Pet safety

St. Augustine grass is non-toxic to pets and is generally safe for dogs and cats.

Quick care summary

Difficulty: Moderate. Light: Full sun to partial shade, tolerates 4 hours daily. Watering: Moderate until established, then deeply and infrequently. Humidity: Moderate to high. Pet safety: Non-toxic.