CitraBlue St. Augustine Grass

The Next Generation of St. Augustine

CitraBlue was released by the University of Florida's turfgrass breeding program in 2018, making it the newest St. Augustine cultivar commercially available in Florida. Developed at UF's Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida, CitraBlue represents years of selective breeding aimed at improving upon the weaknesses of established varieties like Floratam.

What sets CitraBlue apart visually is its distinctive blue-green color. While most St. Augustine varieties range from medium to dark green, CitraBlue has a noticeably different hue that gives lawns a unique, eye-catching appearance. Beyond aesthetics, CitraBlue brings measurable improvements in drought tolerance, disease resistance, and growth density.

Characteristics

• Blade width: Medium-textured blades, slightly finer than Floratam
• Color: Distinctive blue-green, unlike any other St. Augustine variety
• Growth habit: Tight, dense lateral growth that creates a thick turf canopy
• Sun requirement: 5 to 6 hours of sunlight per day — more shade tolerant than Floratam but less than Palmetto
• Heat tolerance: Excellent — performs well through Jacksonville's hottest months
• Cold tolerance: Good — comparable to Floratam, recovers well from Jacksonville's occasional freezes
• Shade tolerance: Moderate to good — outperforms Floratam in partial shade
• Drought tolerance: Superior — more drought tolerant than Floratam, Palmetto, and Raleigh in UF field trials

Why CitraBlue Is Gaining Popularity in North Florida

Since its commercial release, CitraBlue has been rapidly adopted by sod farms and homeowners across Florida. Several factors are driving its popularity in the Jacksonville area specifically.

• Water conservation: CitraBlue's improved drought tolerance means it can maintain quality with less irrigation. For Jacksonville homeowners on St. Johns River Water Management District watering restrictions, this is a practical advantage.
• Disease resistance: Large patch disease (Rhizoctonia solani) is a persistent problem for St. Augustine lawns in North Florida during fall and spring. CitraBlue shows improved resistance to this disease compared to Floratam.
• Tighter growth: CitraBlue's dense growth habit means fewer gaps in the turf canopy, which translates to better weed resistance and a more uniform lawn appearance.
• Versatility: With moderate shade tolerance that exceeds Floratam, CitraBlue works in yards that have a mix of sun and partial shade, reducing the need to install two different varieties.

Best Uses in Jacksonville

CitraBlue works well for homeowners who want an upgrade over standard Floratam. It is especially well-suited for properties where water conservation matters, yards with moderate (not heavy) shade, and homeowners who want a visually distinctive lawn. Its tighter growth habit also makes it a strong choice for front yards where curb appeal is a priority.

For yards with heavy shade (less than 4 hours of sun), Palmetto remains the better choice. But for the many Jacksonville yards that get 5 to 8 hours of sunlight with some afternoon tree shade, CitraBlue is an excellent option.

Maintenance Requirements

• Mowing height: 3.5 to 4 inches. Maintaining proper height is critical for CitraBlue's dense growth habit.
• Mowing frequency: Every 7 to 10 days during the growing season. CitraBlue's growth rate is moderate — slower than Floratam but faster than Palmetto.
• Watering: 0.75 to 1 inch per week during the growing season. CitraBlue's drought tolerance allows for slightly less irrigation than Floratam without loss of quality.
• Fertilizing: 2 to 4 applications per year with a slow-release nitrogen source. Follow UF/IFAS recommendations for North Florida St. Augustine fertilization schedules.
• Pest management: Standard St. Augustine pest monitoring applies. Watch for chinch bugs in sunny areas and gray leaf spot during humid periods. CitraBlue's improved disease resistance reduces but does not eliminate these concerns.