Floratam vs. Palmetto: Sunlight, Care and Site Fit

Floratam and Palmetto are different St. Augustine cultivars. Start the comparison with light and site conditions, then consider care and current supplier availability.

Sunlight is the first filter

Floratam performs poorly below about six hours of daily sunlight. Palmetto can suit partial shade, but not dense shade. A claim that Palmetto always succeeds under a fixed low-hour threshold is too broad for an unknown yard. UF/IFAS cultivar guidance.

Do not rely on an old pest claim

Floratam's early chinch-bug resistance has largely been lost. Palmetto is not insect resistant either. Neither choice replaces observation, correct care or diagnosis when damage appears.

Match maintenance to the cultivar

Confirm mowing requirements against your mower and the supplier's current care guidance. Dense growth does not eliminate weeds, disease or water stress. Check irrigation coverage and drainage, and follow current local watering rules.

Compare the complete project

Get the same measured area and preparation scope for either cultivar. Ask about availability, removal, delivery, installation and care responsibilities. A general claim that one is always cheaper is not a current quote.

If the yard is deeply shaded, discuss non-turf alternatives before replacing grass. Use the sod types guide and the estimate checklist to prepare.