Viridian vs. Other St. Augustine: How Does It Compare?

St. Augustine grass has long been a favorite among homeowners across the southern United States, especially in Florida, where warm temperatures and seasonal rains make it a go-to choice for lush, green lawns. Recognized for its wide blades, rich color, and ability to thrive in warm, coastal regions, St. Augustine is a staple in residential landscapes, parks, and commercial properties alike.

As homeowners face evolving environmental challenges—including water restrictions and the need for lower-maintenance lawns—there’s a growing demand for turfgrass that checks more than one box. People want grass that looks good, performs well under stress, and doesn’t require constant attention.

Enter Viridian—a new generation St. Augustine grass bred for precisely that. Designed with versatility in mind, Viridian aims to meet the needs of modern landscapes while offering standout performance in key areas like drought resistance, shade tolerance, cold hardiness, and ease of maintenance.

We’ve previously covered how to choose the best St. Augustine grass for your lawn. Now, we’re adding Viridian to the comparison list and revisiting how it stacks up against other leading varieties: Floratam, CitraBlue, Seville, ProVista, and Palmetto St. Augustine.

Drought Tolerance

With water conservation becoming more critical, especially under Florida’s ongoing water restrictions, drought tolerance is one of the key traits you should prioritize in turfgrass selection. A drought-tolerant lawn reduces dependence on irrigation, stays greener longer during dry spells, and recovers more quickly when water becomes available again.

Viridian: Specifically developed to handle water stress, Viridian offers excellent drought performance and recovers faster than many traditional varieties after dry periods. Its deep roots and balanced growth help it stay resilient even when water or rainfall is scarce.

Floratam: One of the most widely used St. Augustine varieties, Floratam is moderately drought tolerant and has a vigorous growth habit. However, it may show signs of stress more quickly than some newer cultivars during extended dry conditions, and thus requires supplemental watering.

Palmetto: This variety holds its color well through short droughts and features a soft, dense texture. It may require occasional supplemental watering during longer dry spells, but generally performs well under moderate water stress.

CitraBlue: A standout in both appearance and drought performance, CitraBlue maintains its rich color and dense canopy with less water than traditional varieties. It’s an excellent option for those looking to balance beauty and water efficiency.

Seville: Compact and low-growing, Seville can handle short drought periods with the help of consistent irrigation. It’s a suitable choice for areas where drought isn’t a long-term issue.

ProVista: With improved drought tolerance and slower vertical growth, ProVista holds moisture better, making it a smart choice for water-conscious homeowners.

All six varieties offer a degree of drought resilience, but Viridian and CitraBlue lead the pack with their ability to conserve water while maintaining curb appeal.

Shade Tolerance

Not every lawn receives full sun all day. Whether you’re working with tree-lined yards, homes that cast long afternoon shadows, or irregular sun patterns, shade tolerance is key to helping your grass thrive despite the low light conditions.

Viridian: Offers excellent performance in shady conditions, thriving with as little as 4–5 hours of direct sunlight. Its dense growth helps prevent thinning in low-light areas.

Floratam: This traditional variety prefers full sun and struggles in shaded areas. For lawns with trees or fences casting long shadows, Floratam may not be the best choice.

Palmetto: Palmetto offers better shade tolerance than many warm-season grasses, ideal for partially shaded lawns. However, while it performs well in lower light, reduced sun exposure can increase its susceptibility to fungal disease.

CitraBlue: This variety develops a thick, blue-green canopy that can tolerate moderate shade, ideal for landscapes with partial shade.

Seville: A compact grower with good tolerance for partial shade, Seville performs well in areas with filtered sunlight or those that only get a few hours of sun daily.

ProVista: Performs reliably in moderate shade and full sun, offering flexibility for mixed-light landscapes.

Viridian, Palmetto, and CitraBlue emerge as top contenders for shade, while Floratam is best reserved for areas with consistent, full sun. Choosing the right variety depends on understanding how much daily sunlight your lawn truly receives throughout the year.

Cold Tolerance

While cold isn't usually a serious concern in warm climates like South Florida, having some level of cold tolerance remains a valuable trait. The ability to stand up to chilly nights and occasional frosts is a plus, especially in northern parts of Florida or neighboring states where temperatures can drop more significantly. Cold tolerance determines how well grass retains color, recovers from dormancy, and survives unexpected temperature drops. 

Viridian: Shows solid cold tolerance, keeping its color longer into the fall and recovering quickly as temperatures warm up.

Floratam: Least cold-tolerant of the group. It may go dormant, turning brown during extended cold snaps, but rebounds well in spring.

Palmetto: Cold-hardy, this more recent St. Augustine grass variety is known to recover well from frost and bouncing back strong after winter.

CitraBlue: Offers moderate cold tolerance. It was developed with northern Florida in mind and handles cooler temperatures better than older varieties.

Seville: Performs well under colder conditions, with strong rebound potential in spring.

ProVista: Offers strong cold performance, though its slower vertical growth may delay full spring recovery.

For cold resilience, Palmetto and ProVista are excellent performers, while Viridian comfortably holds its own with solid cold-weather tolerance. These varieties are well-suited for transitional zones where brief cold snaps are common but consistent freezing is rare.

Maintenance Requirements

St. Augustine is generally considered a low-maintenance grass, making it a favorite for residential lawns. Its resistance to pests and diseases, along with its ability to outcompete weeds when well-established, makes upkeep simple. Still, differences in mowing frequency, fertilization needs, and edging can affect which variety fits best with your lifestyle and the effort you’re willing to commit for upkeep.

Viridian: Requires up to 50% fewer inputs compared to traditional varieties. Its slower vertical growth reduces mowing needs while still maintaining a lush, well-groomed appearance.

Floratam: This fast grower requires regular mowing and consistent fertilization to look its best. It's well-suited for moderate-traffic areas but benefits from more regular upkeep to maintain a healthy appearance.

Palmetto: Has a moderate growth rate. Its soft blades make mowing easier, but it may need edging more frequently due to lateral spread.

CitraBlue: With a more horizontal growth habit, CitraBlue stays lower and denser, reducing the need for frequent mowing.

Seville: Compact and tidy, Seville needs minimal mowing and is easy to edge around garden beds and walkways.

ProVista: Bred for low maintenance, ProVista grows slowly and is glyphosate-tolerant, making weed control much easier without damaging the turf.

Viridian, CitraBlue, and ProVista offer the most low-maintenance benefits, ideal for homeowners looking to enjoy their lawn without weekly upkeep. All three varieties feature slower vertical growth, reducing mowing frequency, and form dense canopies that naturally suppress weeds. Their lower input requirements—such as less frequent fertilization and watering—make them particularly attractive for a lawn with minimal hands-on maintenance.

Disease Resistance

Disease resistance is critical in long-term lawn health, especially in Florida’s humid, subtropical climate, where fungal issues can flare up during the rainy season. Choosing a turfgrass variety that is naturally resilient to common lawn diseases can save time and money on treatments.

Viridian: Developed with improved disease resistance, helping it maintain healthy growth and appearance even in challenging lawn conditions.

Floratam: Generally disease-resistant but can be susceptible to chinch bugs and fungal infections in overwatered or compacted soil.

Palmetto: Offers moderate resistance but may require occasional fungicide applications during wet seasons.

CitraBlue: Stands out for its strong disease resistance, particularly against large patch and take-all root rot.

Seville: Has good overall disease resistance but should be monitored in poorly drained areas.

ProVista: Offers improved resistance, though slower recovery may make it more vulnerable to visible damage if a disease does take hold.

Viridian and CitraBlue rank high in disease resistance, giving them an edge in Florida’s unpredictable weather conditions. Their dense, vigorous growth habits help naturally limit disease spread, even during periods of high humidity and rainfall. With fewer issues to manage, these varieties reduce the need for frequent fungicide applications, making them a practical and environmentally friendly choice.

Choosing the Right Variety for Your Needs

No single variety is best for every landscape. The right choice depends on your lawn’s sun exposure, water availability, maintenance preferences, and climate zone. Use the comparison chart below as a quick reference to guide your decision.

It’s always smart to consider optional soil testing and observe your lawn’s sun and shade patterns throughout the day. Your goals—whether it’s a resilient play area for kids, a lush backdrop for your garden, or simply a low-effort lawn—will help narrow the options.

Bethel Farms, a leading sod farm in Central Florida, offers premium-quality grass sod for sale including Viridian and other premium St. Augustine options. With decades of experience and a commitment to innovation, Bethel Farms is a trusted source for Florida homeowners and landscapers alike.

Final Thoughts

Viridian brings fresh value to the trusted family of St. Augustine grasses with its well-rounded performance, from drought and shade tolerance to low maintenance and disease resistance. It expands the valuable options for today’s diverse landscapes.

All the grasses covered here—Floratam, Palmetto, CitraBlue, Seville, ProVista, and Viridian—have proven benefits. Choosing the best one comes down to your lawn’s unique needs.

For the best results, consult with our sod experts at Bethel Farms. We’re here to help you choose the right St. Augustine variety for your landscape needs. Visit our website today to learn more and get started.