What Is CitraBlue® St. Augustine?
In Southern California, many homeowners struggle to keep their lawns healthy through summer heat, watering restrictions, and shaded yards. CitraBlue St. Augustine grass has recently gained attention as a good lawn option because it stays green in warm weather and tolerates partial shade while requiring less mowing and watering than many traditional lawns. But what is CitraBlue, and how is it different from other St. Augustine varieties?
This guide explains what CitraBlue is, how it performs, and why it has become a popular lawn choice for homeowners and landscape contractors in warm climates.
What Is CitraBlue St. Augustine?
CitraBlue is a new and improved variety of St. Augustine grass developed by the University of Florida for deeper color, more drought and shade tolerance, and better disease resistance than older St. Augustine types. It is known for its rich blue-green appearance, dense growth habit, and improved disease resistance.
Like other St. Augustine grasses, CitraBlue is a warm-season grass that spreads by above-ground runners (stolons). This allows it to fill in naturally over time when planted as plugs. For this reason, it is commonly installed as St. Augustine plugs rather than sod. When planted in late spring or summer with proper spacing, sunlight, and watering, runners typically begin spreading within a few weeks. In ideal growing conditions in Southern California, lawns typically show significant coverage during the first growing season, with density continuing to improve over the following months.
What Makes CitraBlue Different?
CitraBlue was selected and refined to address common issues homeowners experience with traditional St. Augustine lawns.
Some characteristics that set CitraBlue apart include:
* Deeper blue-green color than standard St. Augustine
* More drought tolerance than standard St. Augustine
* Less mowing than standard St. Augustine due to less vertical growth
* Dense turf growth, which helps reduce weed pressure
* Improved shade tolerance
* Good heat tolerance for warm climates
* Strong recovery ability once established
These traits make CitraBlue especially appealing for residential yards where appearance and durability matter.
Where Does CitraBlue Grow Best?
CitraBlue performs best in warm-season regions, especially Southern California and other areas with long, warm growing seasons. It thrives in:
* Full sun to partial shade
* Well-prepared, well-draining soil
* Residential landscapes, play areas, and everyday lawns
Because it spreads by stolons, CitraBlue is commonly installed using grass plugs, which establish roots and gradually knit together into a full lawn. It is especially useful in backyards with morning sun and afternoon shade, along fences or walls, and in areas where cool-season grasses thin out during summer heat.
How Is CitraBlue Installed?
CitraBlue is typically installed as plugs, spaced evenly across prepared soil. During establishment, consistent watering is important to help roots develop. Over time, the grass spreads outward to fill gaps between plugs.
Plug installation offers several advantages:
* Lower upfront material cost than sod
* Easier handling and planting
* Strong long-term root development
Spacing and establishment time vary depending on climate, season, and care practices. Proper soil preparation and watering are important during the establishment period. After roots develop, the grass becomes more resilient and requires less frequent watering than traditional St. Augustine lawns.
Is CitraBlue Right for Your Yard?
CitraBlue is a great fit for homeowners who want:
* A traditional lawn look with improved performance
* A grass that handles sun and partial shade
* Dense, attractive turf once established
It may not be ideal for extremely cold climates or areas with heavy, constant foot traffic before establishment.
Common Questions About CitraBlue
Does CitraBlue come as sod, seed, or plugs?
It does not come in seed but it can be installed as sod or as plugs that fill in over time.
Does CitraBlue grow in shade?
It has good shade tolerance and performs best in full sun to partial shade. It is often chosen for yards where trees, walls, or homes block part of the day’s sunlight.
Is CitraBlue drought tolerant?
Once established, it typically requires less water than many cool-season lawns and handles summer heat better.
How long do CitraBlue plugs take to establish?
It depends on site preparation, weather, amount of sunlight, watering, care, and spacing, but plugs usually begin connecting within several weeks, then full density usually develops over the growing season.
Learn More About CitraBlue
If you’re considering CitraBlue for your lawn, understanding site preparation, plug spacing, watering and care makes a big difference in success.
👉 You can explore CitraBlue grass plugs and installation guidance here.
