Argentine Bahia has thin, wide, light green blades. Coarse texture.
St. Augustine Floratam has thick, wide blades. Coarse texture. Darker (bluish) green than Bahia.
Bahia:
Argentine Bahia is a forage grass. In fact, if left unmowed, it will quickly produce a lot of tough seedboxes. Otherwise, does not require much maintenance.
- FULL SUN is a must. Will thin out in shade. Fertilize in spring (16-4-8) and fall.
- Likes to be mowed every 5-7 days during the growing season.
- Preferred Bahia mowing height: 3″-4″ Does well in cold weather, but goes dormant (turns brown) and will not be green again until warm weather is established.
- Bahiagrass likes water, though it is considered to be drought tolerant. It will go dormant (brown) due to dry weather conditions and lack of irrigation, however, will green up quickly if watering is reestablished.
- Grows quickly.
Floratam:
Floratam looks like a lush, thick carpet. Healthy St. Augustine turf will even choke out weeds. It grows aggressively and propagates via purplish stolons (above ground runners)
- Prefers warm weather; will survive a freeze.
- Most drought tolerant of other St. Augustine varieties (may even develop thick thatch if over watered)
- Likes to be mowed. Recommended Floratam mowing height is 3.5″-4″
- Fertilizing schedule: spring and fall. Iron supplement in summer is recommended.
- Grows quickly.
Bahia backyard
Floratam landscape