Palmetto St. Augustine: Soft, Shade-Tolerant, and a Homeowner Favorite

In terms of choosing the right grass for your lawn, there’s no shortage of options. Yet year after year, Palmetto® St. Augustine grass remains among the most reliable options among those seeking a soft, shade-tolerant, and family-friendly lawn. Introduced in the mid-1990s, this improved St. Augustine cultivar has earned a strong following for its beauty, adaptability, and comfort—qualities that make it more than just common, but consistently dependable.

But what makes Palmetto stand out in a crowded field of warm-season grasses? Is it still worth considering in today’s market, even with newer varieties emerging? Let’s dig into what makes Palmetto St. Augustine grass a perennial favorite—and where it truly stands out in the real world.

What Is Palmetto St. Augustine Grass?

Palmetto St. Augustine grass is a semi-dwarf variety of St. Augustine, originally developed in Florida for better performance in diverse growing conditions. It quickly became one of the most widely sold proprietary turfgrasses in the southern U.S.—and for good reason.

Key Traits of Palmetto St. Augustine

• Soft, wide blades with a lush, inviting feel. Palmetto creates a cushion-like surface that feels great under bare feet—ideal for families, pets, and outdoor lounging.

• Rich emerald hue. Palmetto stands out for its deep, eye-catching shade of green that holds its color well in a variety of conditions.

• Dense, low-growing habit that naturally helps crowd out weeds. Its thick canopy limits space for weed seeds to germinate, reducing reliance on chemical weed control.

• Reliable shade tolerance, like most St. Augustine varieties. Palmetto performs well with as little as 4–5 hours of sunlight per day—an excellent option for partially shaded lawns bordered by trees, fences, or nearby buildings.  

• Semi-dwarf growth means less mowing and easier upkeep. As a semi-dwarf cultivar, Palmetto doesn’t grow as tall as traditional St. Augustine types. This translates to less frequent mowing and a more manageable lawn height overall.

Palmetto St. Augustine grass isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about how it fits into real, everyday lives. It’s widely used in residential lawns, vacation properties, and commercial landscapes throughout Florida. Wherever warm-season grasses grow well, Palmetto can too—it thrives in areas that receive full sun throughout the day and tolerate conditions in partially shaded yards where sun-loving varieties like bermudagrass may struggle. 

With its low-maintenance growth habit, Palmetto is also a favorite among HOA communities and property managers for its uniform appearance, resilience, and ability to maintain a manicured look with minimal effort.

Palmetto vs. Other Grass Types

To truly understand the value of Palmetto St. Augustine grass, it’s helpful to see how it compares to other popular varieties that homeowners often consider.

Palmetto vs. Floratam St. Augustine

Floratam is another widely used St. Augustine cultivar in Florida, valued for its aggressive growth and ability to thrive in full sun. However, it has a coarser texture and needs at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily to maintain density and color.

Palmetto, by contrast, performs well with as little as 4–5 hours of sun, making it better suited for partially shaded lawns. Its softer texture and slower growth make it more comfortable and easier to maintain, offering greater versatility where light conditions vary.

Palmetto vs. Seville St. Augustine

Seville is also a semi-dwarf St. Augustine variety known for its dark green color and fine texture. Like Palmetto, it performs well in low to medium light conditions and is an excellent option for shaded lawns.

Palmetto, however, has slightly broader blades that feel softer underfoot and tends to handle variable climates with more resilience. Both are excellent shade-tolerant options, but Palmetto often stands out for its adaptability and ease of maintenance.

Palmetto vs. Zoysia

Zoysiagrass is valued for its fine blades, dense growth, and excellent wear tolerance—a great option for high-traffic areas. While it tends to establish more slowly, its durability and appearance make it a long-term favorite.

Palmetto, by comparison, establishes more quickly—particularly when installed as sod—and features a wider blade with a noticeably softer feel. Although Zoysia may edge it out in terms of traffic resistance, Palmetto offers greater shade tolerance and a softer feel underfoot, ideal for families seeking a plush, barefoot-friendly lawn.

Palmetto vs. Bermudagrass

Bermudagrass is a favorite for sports fields and high-sun landscapes due to its aggressive growth and excellent wear recovery. However, it typically requires full sun to stay dense and healthy.

Palmetto, on the other hand, performs better in mixed-light conditions and is suitable in residential lawns with partial shade. Its softer feel, lower mowing needs, and ease of care make it a strong choice for family-friendly yards.

Is Palmetto More Common Than Others?

Yes—Palmetto remains one of the most widely used St. Augustine grasses in the US, particularly throughout the South, including Florida. Its enduring popularity among homeowners and landscapers alike boils down to one thing: consistent, reliable performance in a range of lighting conditions and a lush, well-maintained appearance with minimal upkeep.

Despite newer releases with niche traits, Palmetto has stood the test of time—a rare mix of beauty, comfort, and practicality.

Care & Maintenance Tips for Palmetto

Palmetto St. Augustine can be successfully established as sod—a convenient solution for homeowners looking for quicker results. It roots well with proper care, allowing for a faster transition to regular maintenance compared to starting from seed. During the initial weeks, consistent watering is essential to encourage deep rooting and healthy growth. Once established, Palmetto settles into a more manageable routine, due to its slower vertical growth and naturally dense canopy.

Mowing: Maintain a height of 2.5 to 3 inches. Once established, Palmetto usually requires mowing every 7–10 days during active growing months. Avoid mowing too short, especially in shaded areas.

Watering: Provide about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, from rainfall or irrigation. During establishment, water more frequently—daily or as needed—until roots take hold, usually within two weeks. Once rooted, Palmetto becomes more drought-tolerant and easier to manage.

Fertilizing: Apply fertilizer based on your lawn’s specific needs, ideally guided by a soil test. In general, fertilize during active growing periods—typically spring and summer for warm-season grasses like Palmetto. Signs your lawn may need feeding include slow growth, yellowing blades, or thinning areas.

Weed Control: With its dense growth, Palmetto naturally helps suppress many common weeds. For occasional intruders, manual removal is often effective. If necessary, use herbicides labeled as safe for St. Augustine grass, and spot-treat carefully to prevent damage to the surrounding turf.

Palmetto St. Augustine Grass Sod From Bethel Farms

Ready to upgrade your lawn with Palmetto St. Augustine? Bethel Farms is your trusted source for fresh, premium sod grown with care and harvested using modern, sustainable practices. Available in full sod pallets, our sod is recommended for:

• Complete lawn renovations 

• New construction homes

• Patch repairs or expanding existing turf

With decades of experience and a commitment to excellence, Bethel Farms provides homeowners with the confidence of healthy, dense, and green turf from day one.

Shop Palmetto St. Augustine sod today on our website.

Final Thoughts

Palmetto St. Augustine isn’t just another grass variety—it’s a reliable, versatile, and family-friendly favorite. Whether you’re working with shade-heavy yards, looking for a soft lawn for kids and pets, or simply want a turf that looks great without demanding hours of work, Palmetto delivers.

It may not be the newest name in turfgrass, but it continues to win hearts with its comfort, consistency, and curb appeal.

Looking to make a smart lawn investment? Palmetto St. Augustine grass might just be the perfect fit.