St Augustine vs Bermuda Grass
Verdict: Choose Bermuda for full sun, heavy foot traffic and drought, and St Augustine for some shade and a thick, broad-bladed look. Bermuda goes straw brown in winter, and St Augustine does not hold up to heavy traffic.
Both are warm-season grasses that spread by above-ground runners, but they suit different yards. St Augustine has broad, flat, dark green blades and is grown from sod, plugs or sprigs. Bermuda has narrower gray-green blades with rough edges and can be started from seed, sprigs or sod.
Sun and traffic decide most choices. Bermuda wants full sun and tolerates wear and drought very well, but it fades with dormancy in cool weather and can become an aggressive weed in beds. St Augustine tolerates more shade, with cultivar differences, but is not made for sports-field traffic.
St Augustine vs Bermuda Grass side by side
| Trait | St Augustine | Bermuda Grass |
|---|---|---|
| Blade | Broad, flat, dark green | Short, gray-green, rough edges |
| Shade | Best of the two, but varies: some cultivars very good, Floratam needs about 6 hours of sun | Limited, grows best in full sun |
| Foot traffic | Does not hold up to repeated foot or vehicle traffic | Excellent, recovers quickly from damage |
| Cold and winter | Cultivar-dependent: Raleigh and Palmetto very good, Floratam poor | Goes dormant and turns light brown in cool weather |
| Drought | Research has not confirmed better drought tolerance in most cultivars | Deep roots, over 2 m (6.5 ft), survives hot dry conditions |
| How it is planted | Sod, sprigs or plugs, not seed in most cases | Seed, sprigs, sod, spreads by stolons and rhizomes |
| Spread habit | Above-ground runners (stolons) | Stolons and rhizomes, can invade beds and edges |
| Best fit | Partly shaded lawns in mild-winter regions | Sunny lawns, play areas and sports turf |
Last verified October 2026. Typical values; individual animals, products and local prices vary.
Which one fits you
St Augustine
- Your yard has some shade from trees or buildings and you want a thick, broad-bladed lawn.
- You live where winters are mild enough that cold damage is rare, or can choose a cold-tolerant cultivar.
- You like mowing at 3 to 4 inches for a lush look.
- Foot traffic is light, mostly walking, not football or dogs running laps.
Bermuda Grass
- Your lawn gets full sun for most of the day and has heavy play or pet traffic.
- You want a grass that recovers fast from damage and handles heat and dry spells.
- You are fine with a lawn that browns when cool weather arrives.
- You want to seed a large area instead of buying sod.
How this works
The quiz asks about sun hours, foot traffic, winter cold, how you plant and look. Each answer favors the grass most associated with that cue, and the note under each question names both so you can see the reasoning, including which cues are weaker or overlap.
Grasses vary by cultivar and region. Bermuda mowing height is not given in the sources used, so the page leaves it out rather than guessing, and your local extension office can name the best cultivar for your county. Treat the quiz as a starting point.
Where these numbers come from
The figures and defaults on this page are based on:
- UF/IFAS Extension: St. Augustinegrass Selection Guide, St Augustine shade, cold, mowing, wear and planting by cultivar. (checked October 2026)
- Wikipedia: St. Augustine grass, St Augustine blades, stolons and sod, plug or sprig propagation. (checked October 2026)
- Wikipedia: Cynodon dactylon, Bermuda dormancy, shade limits, wear tolerance, drought roots and spread. (checked October 2026)
Lawn-selection guide. Cultivars and local climate change results, so confirm with your county extension office.
Frequently asked questions
Which grows better in shade, St Augustine or Bermuda?
St Augustine generally does better, and some cultivars rate very good for shade, though Floratam needs at least about 6 hours of sun. Bermuda grows best in full sun and thins in shade.
Which handles foot traffic better?
Bermuda. It is widely used on sports fields because it recovers quickly. UF IFAS notes St Augustinegrass generally does not hold up to repeated foot or vehicle traffic.
Can I grow St Augustine from seed?
Rarely. Commercially viable seed has only recently appeared, and the grass is typically planted as sod, sprigs or plugs. Bermuda can be seeded, sprigged or sodded.
Does Bermuda grass turn brown in winter?
Yes in cooler climates. It goes dormant and turns light brown in winter or dry spells, and growth starts again when temperatures rise above roughly 59 F (15 C).
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