If you are installing a new lawn in St. Petersburg, or if you are curious what you already have, St. Augustine and Bermuda are the two most common grass types you will encounter. Both are warm-season grasses that thrive in Florida's heat, but they are quite different in how they look and how much work they require.
St. Augustine Grass — The St. Pete Standard
- Appearance: Wide, flat blades; medium-to-dark green; lush, carpet-like when healthy
- Mowing height: 3.5–4 inches
- Mowing frequency: Weekly during growing season
- Shade tolerance: Moderate — handles dappled shade, struggles in deep shade
- Drought tolerance: Moderate — needs irrigation during dry spells
- Pest sensitivity: High — southern chinch bugs target St. Augustine almost exclusively
- Establishment: Sod or plugs only (no seed available for residential use in FL)
Bermuda Grass — Tough, Dense, Full-Sun Only
- Appearance: Fine, dense blades; bright green; very manicured look when maintained
- Mowing height: 1.5–2.5 inches
- Mowing frequency: Weekly or more — grows very aggressively in summer
- Shade tolerance: Very low — will die in areas with less than 6 hours of direct sun
- Drought tolerance: High — more resilient than St. Augustine in dry conditions
- Pest sensitivity: Moderate — mole crickets and fall armyworms are common threats
- Establishment: Sod, plugs, or seed (some varieties)
Key Differences That Matter Most
Shade: If you have trees or areas that do not get 6+ hours of sun, St. Augustine is your only realistic warm-season option. Bermuda will simply thin out and die in shade.
Mowing height: Bermuda is mowed at half the height of St. Augustine. If you switch grass types, your mower settings change dramatically.
Invasiveness: Bermuda is extremely aggressive. It will spread into garden beds and neighboring lawns if not bordered with proper edging. St. Augustine is easier to control.
Winter appearance: Bermuda often goes completely brown in December–February in St. Pete winters. St. Augustine usually stays greener longer but still fades in cold spells.
Which Should You Choose?
For most St. Pete homeowners with a typical residential yard that has some shade: St. Augustine. It is the default for good reason — it handles the local conditions, looks lush, and is what virtually every lawn service in the area is set up to maintain properly.
For a full-sun front yard where you want a manicured, dense look and you are willing to do more maintenance work: Bermuda is worth considering.
We mow both grass types throughout St. Pete.
Amber Lawn Care services St. Augustine and Bermuda lawns in St. Petersburg. Request a quote and we will send a flat rate for your specific yard.
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