Common Problems with Seville St. Augustine Grass and How to Fix Them

Among warm-season grasses, St. Augustine grasses have long been a go-to choice for homeowners in Florida and the southern residential lawns from full sun locations to shady areas. Characterized by their lush appearance, dense coverage, and adaptability to various soil and climate conditions, they’re a staple for

One standout variety in this family is Seville St. Augustine grass—a shade-tolerant turf grass that thrives in both full sun and moderate shade while delivering a rich, dark green color and soft texture underfoot. With its finer textured grass profile and dwarf growth habit, Seville is equally suited for natural-looking lawns in Central Florida and other warm regions.

Still, even an excellent turf can encounter challenges if not matched with the right site conditions and care. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes Seville special and how to address common issues—so you can keep your lawn healthy and beautiful year-round. If you’re looking for grass for sale, Bethel Farms offers Seville alongside other top-performing St. Augustine grass.

Is Seville St. Augustine Grass Good?

Seville St. Augustine grass is a versatile, low-growing turf that handles partial shade without sacrificing color or density, making it a top pick for homeowners who want a reliable and attractive lawn year-round.

Key Advantages Include:

• Dwarf growth habit – Stays lower to the ground, requiring frequent mowing at shorter heights—around 2–2.5 inches.

• Much finer-textured grass – Compared to other St. Augustine varieties, Seville has a smaller leaf blade, which gives lawns a smooth, uniform appearance.

• Excellent shade tolerance – Outperforms most St. Augustine grasses in areas with filtered light or partial shade.

• Attractive year-round color – Maintains a deep green in warm climates.

• Adaptable to wide pH ranges – Performs well even in high pH soils and tolerates sandy, loamy, and clay conditions.

• Salt tolerance – Ideal for coastal areas with occasional salt spray.

Seville works best for homeowners who want a lush, natural-looking lawn in shady areas or mixed-light yards, where other turf types might thin out.

Seville vs. Other St. Augustine Varieties

All St. Augustine grasses share some traits—dense coverage, salt tolerance, and suitability for warm climates—but their unique qualities make them better suited for different settings.

When it comes to choosing the best type of St. Augustine grass, it all comes down to your yard’s sun exposure, soil pH, climate, and personal preference for texture and color. For shade or mixed light, Seville, CitraBlue, or Palmetto are excellent options. Lawns in full sun locations that see heavy foot traffic may benefit from Floratam or ProVista, while coastal properties can take advantage of Seville’s and Floratam's salt tolerance. If low-maintenance mowing is a priority, ProVista and CitraBlue are slower growers, requiring less frequent cuts. At Bethel Farms, you’ll find all five—CitraBlue, ProVista, Floratam, Palmetto, and Seville—available as grass for sale, making it easy to match the right variety to your yard’s unique needs.

Common Problems with Seville St. Augustine Grass and How to Fix Them

Seville is a hardy performer, but like any turf, it thrives best under proper routine maintenance and the right growing conditions. Here’s how to handle potential issues with Seville St. Augustine grass.

Shade-Related Thinning in Extreme Low Light

Seville is known as a shade tolerant turf grass, but it still performs best with the right amount of light. Ideally, it thrives in full sun to moderate shade, or 4–6 hours of direct or filtered sunlight per day. While it can get by on the lower end, less than four hours of light can cause lateral growth to slow and patches to thin out over time.

Seville performs well with 4–6 hours of direct or filtered sunlight per day. Less than four hours can cause thinning and reduced lateral growth.

Fix:

• Selectively prune tree branches or shrubs to increase light penetration.

• Maintain a mowing height of 2–2.5 inches to maximize leaf blade surface.

• Patch bare spots with Seville grass plugs in spring or early summer.

Chinch Bug Damage

Like other St. Augustine grasses, Seville can be affected by chinch bugs, small pests that feed on the grass and cause irregular yellow or brown patches to spread quickly. These bugs are often found along lawn edges or near driveways where heat reflects.

Fix:

• Inspect lawn edges regularly for black-and-white adult bugs.

• Apply a targeted insecticide when detected.

• Support turf recovery with proper watering, mowing, and fertilization.

Fungal Issues

Fungal diseases such as gray leaf spot and brown patch can occur in Seville lawns, especially in warm, humid conditions, along with excessive moisture. Overwatering, watering late in the day, or excessive fertilizer can increase the risk.

Fix:

• Water deeply but infrequently, early in the morning.

• Limit nitrogen during high-disease seasons.

• Use a fungicide at the first signs of spotting or blight.

Salt Stress in Coastal Areas

While Seville tolerates salt, prolonged or frequent exposure—whether from salt spray in coastal areas or irrigation water containing high salinity—can cause leaf burn and thinning.

Reduce salt buildup by flushing the soil periodically with deep watering to push salts beyond the root zone. Use fresh, non-brackish water for irrigation whenever possible. If your property faces constant salt exposure, consider supplementing your Seville turf with a more salt-hardy variety, such as Floratam, in areas that get the most exposure.

Fix:

• Flush salts from the soil with deep irrigation periodically.

• Use fresh, non-brackish irrigation water.

• Plant a salt-hardy variety like Floratam in high-exposure zones.

Nutrient Deficiency

In Central Florida and other sandy coastal regions, soils can quickly leach nutrients, leading to pale or yellowing turf. Seville can tolerate wide pH ranges, including high pH soils, but maintaining balanced nutrition is key. Although optional, conducting a soil test at least once a year can confirm nutrient levels and soil pH.

Fix:

• Test soil annually to track pH and nutrient levels.

• Fertilize during active growth for steady color and density.

• Apply iron supplements for quick green-up without excess top growth.

Prevention and Long-Term Care Tips

A healthy Seville lawn thrives with the right care routine. Maintain an ideal mowing height of 2–2.5 inches, fertilize to supply essential nutrients, water deeply but infrequently to promote strong root growth, and stay alert for early signs of pests or disease to address issues before they spread. This consistent approach keeps your lawn looking lush and resilient year-round.

Final  Thoughts – Matching the Right Grass to Your Yard

Seville is one of the best shade-tolerant turf grasses for residential lawns in Central Florida and similar climates, especially if you want a much finer-textured grass that tolerates moderate shade while maintaining a vibrant green year-round. Overall, the best grass for your lawn is the one matched to your yard’s sun locations, soil type, and maintenance style.

Bethel Farms offers Seville sod grass for sale, along with Floratam, Palmetto, CitraBlue, and ProVista—making it easy to match the perfect turf to your yard’s needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between St. Augustine Palmetto and Seville?

Palmetto has a broader leaf blade and a lighter green color, while Seville features finer blades, a rich dark green hue, and better shade tolerance.

What is the difference between Floratam and Seville?

Floratam has larger blades, thrives in full sun, and offers strong drought resistance, whereas Seville has finer blades, handles shade better, and grows lower to the ground.

Can I just put St. Augustine over my existing grass?

It’s best to remove the existing grass first to avoid competition for nutrients and water. For more details, see our article Can You Mix Bermuda and St. Augustine Grass?