What is CitraBlue St. Augustine Grass?
There are many types of grass you can grow on your lawn, and St. Augustine is one that we cultivate at Bethel Farms.
St. Augustine is a dark green grass with broad, flat blades and a coarse texture. With excellent tolerance against heat and humidity, it thrives in the warm sub-tropical weather in Florida and the rest of the southern states. It is also favorable among homeowners looking for a low-maintenance lawn with less mowing and fertilizing requirements.
However, you may be surprised to learn that there are several types of St. Augustine, and CitraBlue is a cut above the rest.
What Makes CitraBlue St. Augustine Different?
Introduced in 2019, CitraBlue is an improved variety of St. Augustine grass bred by the University of Florida's turfgrass breeding program under a sponsored research service agreement with the Turfgrass Producers of Florida (TPF). It features a striking blue-green color and soft leaf texture, in contrast to the rough feel of the more common varieties. This cultivar is well-adapted to the Florida climate and has better tolerance to full sun and shade than Floratam St. Augustine—another commonly grown variety in the state.
CitraBlue St. Augustine grass is more resistant to plant diseases such as gray leaf spots, large patch, and root rot, as well as pests like chinch bugs due to its lateral growth habit. It also has excellent wear tolerance and requires minimal mowing, further adding to its appeal.
Compared to the open growth pattern of the most common St. Augustine varieties, CitraBlue grows a denser canopy where weeds don’t do well. These characteristics make CitraBlue a great option in residential, commercial golf, and other sports fields.
CitraBlue St. Augustine Characteristics
- Ideal Use: Residential, commercial, golf, and other sports fields
- Mow Height: 2.5–3 inches
- Color: Blue-green
- Blade: Broad and flat
- Texture: Soft
- Soil pH: Slightly acidic, 6.0-6.9 pH
- Wear Tolerance: High
- Shade Tolerance: Moderate
- Drought Tolerance: High
How to Grow CitraBlue St. Augustine Grass
CitraBlue St. Augustine is exclusively licensed to TPF by Florida Foundation Seed Producers, a direct support organization of the University of Florida.
Today, CitraBlue enjoys a more widespread availability and can be purchased as sod and grass plugs. It is a great option if you're looking to introduce a deep blue-green contrast to your lawn.
You can plant CitraBlue like you would any other St. Augustine grass. Prepare your soil by removing weeds, rocks, and other debris in your lawn. We recommend conducting a soil test to determine your soil's composition, nutrient levels, and pH. These valuable insights can help you understand the necessary amendments your soil requires to create the optimal conditions for grass growth.
Whether you're installing CitraBlue sod or planting it as grass plugs, ensure adequate moisture in the early stages to improve sod-to-soil contact and facilitate proper root development. After that period, you can gradually reduce your watering frequency.
You can start mowing after about three weeks or once your grass has fully rooted. This variety is bred for lower mowing heights and you would want to keep it between 2.5 and 3 inches tall.
For best results, we recommend using NutriPod™, our sustainable slow-release starter fertilizer for grass plugs. It provides a consistent and gradual release of nutrients to help roots establish in the soil and grow your lawn up to two times faster than usual. It has the recommended nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratio for a denser, greener, and more hard-wearing lawn.
Read here for a more comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to start a lawn with grass plugs.
What do you think of CitraBlue St. Augustine grass? Let us know by leaving a comment.
