Slow-growing zoysiagrass is a lawn grass for warm climates.
Count on it to grow well in part shade or full sun and stand up to foot traffic.
It is light green in summer and turns straw-like brown with the first frost in fall.
Credit:Adam Albright
It remains brown until warm temperatures return in spring.
Zoysiagrass has a somewhat coarse texture and thick stems.
When well-established and regularly cared for, zoysiagrass makes a great lawn.
Zoysiagrass grows slowly, unlike other warm-season grasses, such asBermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass.
Most zoysiagrass varieties are hardy inUSDA Zones5 to 11.
Zoysiagrass tolerates shade better than Bermudagrass, which quickly languishes in shade.
Well-drained soil is best for a dense stand of zoysiagrass.
Itgrows well in loamor sandy soil.
Avoid planting zoysiagrass in heavy clay soils.
How and When to Plant Zoysiagrass
Plant zoysiagrass from sod or plugs in spring or early summer.
Only a few varieties are available tostart from seed.
Cultivars available as seed have a coarse or rough texture and are usually not ideal for lawn use.
Before laying sod or planting plugs, prepare the soil.
Plugging is another popular optionfor starting a new zoysiagrass lawn.
Small clumps of zoysiagrass, called plugs, are planted on 6-inch centers over a lawn.
Zoysiagrass spreads very slowly.
It takes about two growing seasons for a plugged zoysiagrass lawn to achieve complete coverage.
Zoysiagrass Care Tips
Light
Zoysiagrass grows infull sun or part shade.
Soil and Water
Well-drained soiland about an inch of rainfall a week are optimal for good growth.
Zoysiagrass thrives in loam and sandy soil.
This tough grass also tolerates saline soils and salt spray.
Avoid planting zoysiagrass in clay or slow-draining soil; Bermudagrass is a good alternate choice forclay soil.
Aim to deliver 1 inch of water a week, supplementing with irrigation as needed.
When irrigation is necessary, give the lawn about 12-inch of water each time you water.
After it establishes a strong root system, it tolerates drought.
Temperature and Humidity
Zoysiagrass grows well in heat and humidity.
When temperatures are regularly above 80F, count on good leaf growth and strong root growth.
Zoysiagrass has a dramatic end to the growing season.
It turns straw-brown with thefirst frost.
Humidity doesnt faze zoysiagrass; it tolerates moist environments, provided it is growing in well-drained soil.
Take a soil test beforeapplying fertilizerto care for the environment and your financesexcessive fertilizer is detrimental to both.
Wait to apply any fertilizer until the grass is fully greened up and actively growing in spring.
Stop fertilizing in August to allow the plant to move toward winter dormancy.
Take advantage ofnutrient-rich grass clippingsby leaving them on the lawn after mowing.
They will quickly decompose, delivering valuable nitrogen to the soil.
Mowing
Cut zoysiagrass regularly to maintain a 2-inch-tall lawn.
Use the one-third rule as a guide to when to mow.
The rule is simple: never remove more than one-third of the length of the leaf blade.
With the mower deck set to 2 inches, mow when the turf is 3 inches tall.
Zoysiagrass grows slowly when compared to other warm-season grasses.
Expect to mow about once a week during the warmest part of the growing season.
Zoysiagrass might only need mowing every 10 days or so in spring and fall.
A reel-jot down mower is a good option for cutting zoysiagrass.
Pests and Problems
Zoysiagrass has few pest and disease problems.
Be careful not to overfertilize.
Cool-season weeds, such ashenbit and chickweed, can be a problem when zoysiagrass is dormant.
Weeds are most prolific in grass that is weak or stressed from pests and diseases during the growing season.
Maintain a thick, healthy zoysiagrass lawn, and there wont be space for cool-season weeds to invade.
How to Propagate Zoysiagrass
Sod is the fastest way to establish a zoysiagrass lawn.
It spreads by underground rhizomes and above-ground stems called stolons.
Types of Zoysiagrass
There are many great zoysiagrass cultivars for home lawns.
If you live inan area with cold winters, be sure to select a cultivar with notable cold tolerance.
Here are a few cultivars with excellent disease resistance and attractive medium-to-fine texture.
It is an excellent choice where low-maintenance, tough grass is needed.
It is also available as seed.
It is the most drought-tolerant of all the zoysia cultivars and has notable shade tolerance.
It is less cold-tolerant than some cultivars and is sensitive to overfertilization.
It quickly develops athatch layerwhen it is overfertilized.
Empire
Empire zoysiagrass is a medium-textured, soft-to-the-touch grass that spreads quickly.
This dark green hybrid cultivar is highly drought-tolerant and cold-hardy.
It is incredibly durable and exhibits excellent wear tolerance.
Palisades
Zoysia japonicaPalisades has a strong upright growing habit.
It is somewhat drought-tolerant and can be maintained at 3 inches tall.
It is a good choice for families with children and pets.
It grows well in a variety of soilstolerating clay soil better than most other cultivars.
Royal is quick to recover from any damage.
It is an attractive green color and can be maintained at 3 inches tall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your lawn probably has a layer of thatch just above the soil surface.
Thatch is partially decomposed roots, stems, and other plant parts.
Zoysiagrass is prone to thatch.
Use a spring-tine power rake or vertical mower to remove the thatch.
Minimize thatch buildup with proper fertilization and watering.
Zoysiagrass grows slowly by nature.
Its lateral spread is significantly slower than Bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass.
Encourage growth with good mowing, fertilization, and irrigation practices.
Yes, all zoysiagrass cultivars turn straw brown and move into dormancy with the first frost.
Cold temperatures combined with less daylight spur zoysiagrass to move into dormancy.
Zoysiagrass also turns brown and goes dormant during drought stress.
