Zoysia Grass Care Guide

Zoysiagrass at a Glance

Zoysiagrass is a good option for warm-season lawns in the U.S. Zoysia, like many warm-season grasses, has a high tolerance for heat and can tolerate moderate drought conditions. However, a Zoysia lawn may require some extra water in the summer months.

Is zoysiagrass right for my lawn?

Of the warm-season grasses, zoysia has relatively high cold and shade tolerance, though it grows best in full sun. Zoysiagrass lawns are very slow-growing, though, and because of this, they don't tolerate a lot of lawn traffic. In general, zoysiagrass is slow to recover and grow back from any stress or damage, including traffic, drought, cold, pest, or disease. If you have a low-traffic, sunny lawn, though, zoysia is a great fit!

Pros:

• Low maintenance once established
• Excellent heat tolerance
• Good shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses
• Dense growth crowds out weeds
• Cold hardy for a warm-season grass

Cons:

• Slow to establish (plugs take 2 full seasons)
• Slow to recover from damage or stress
• Not ideal for high-traffic areas
• Goes dormant and turns brown in winter
• Can develop thatch buildup

How does zoysiagrass compare to other warm-season grasses?

Popular Zoysiagrass Cultivars

• Meyer (Z-52): Best for cold tolerance in transition zones; medium texture; excellent density
• Zeon: Fine texture; good shade tolerance; lower maintenance
• Emerald: Fine texture; dark green color; best for southern regions
• Zenith: Can be grown from seed; good cold tolerance; coarser texture

Establishing zoysiagrass

Once you decide zoysia is the right grass for your lawn, follow these steps to establish your zoysiagrass lawn:

1. Test your soil. This will help determine your zoysia lawn's nutrient needs and help you determine your soil texture. Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5.
2. Determine the best way to plant. Some zoysiagrass varieties can be grown from seed; others are only available as plugs, sprigs, or sod. The way you plant your zoysia also depends on your lawn goals – are you trying to fill in a few bare spots with some seed or plugs, or do you need sod or sprigs to grow a new lawn from scratch?
3. Time your planting right. Remember: Zoysia grows very slowly, so the timing and size of the project are very important.
4. If you're patching or introducing zoysia to an existing lawn, seed and plugs are your best bet, and should be planted in late spring to give them time to grow in during the summer season.
5. If you're planting a new lawn, sprigs or sod can be laid late spring through early fall to cover larger areas more efficiently.
6. Water, water, water. This step will vary depending on your planting method.
7. If you seed, sprig, or plug your zoysiagrass, water daily until you see grass start to grow. Then, switch to deep and infrequent watering.
8. If you sod your zoysiagrass, water daily until the sod is rooted, then water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep rooting.

How long does zoysiagrass take to establish?

Seeds take 3 or more weeks to germinate, with full establishment taking up to 1 year. Plugs typically require 2 full growing seasons to completely fill in. Sod establishes fastest, rooting within 2-3 weeks depending on conditions.

Caring for a zoysiagrass lawn

Proper lawn care is key for keeping your zoysiagrass lawn healthy.

What is the best mowing height for zoysiagrass?

Mow zoysiagrass to maintain a height of 1-2 inches for fine-textured cultivars like Emerald and Zeon, or 2-3 inches for coarser cultivars like Meyer and Zenith.

How often should I water zoysiagrass?

Water deeply 1-3 times per week, providing about 1.5 inches of water total, to encourage deep root growth. Adjust based on rainfall and seasonal conditions.

General care guidelines:

• Water deeply and infrequently to train your lawn to use less water and grow deep grass roots
• Mow your zoysiagrass to keep it at the appropriate height for your cultivar and grasscycle to return nutrients to the soil
• Fertilize based on your Sunday lawn plan, applying 2-3 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually. Not a Sunday customer? Fertilize using minimum levels of sustainable nutrition, or MLSN, to avoid over-fertilizing
• Pull weeds by hand or spot treat weeds, when necessary
• Practice integrated pest management to help prevent lawn disease issues before they arise and scout regularly for lawn pests to avoid damage. This is particularly important in slow-to-recover zoysia lawns.
• If damage does occur, patch bare spots with seed or plugs, and make sure to water and fertilize properly and reduce traffic to help the zoysiagrass bounce back.

Seasonal Care Calendar for Zoysiagrass

Sunday Tip:

Zoysia leaves are stiffer than other turfgrasses and their stolons and rhizomes are particularly tough. Keep your mower blades sharp to prevent shredding the grass leaves, and dethatch your lawn if you notice a tan, dense thatch layer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does zoysiagrass take to establish? Zoysiagrass seeds take 3 or more weeks to germinate, with full establishment from seed taking up to 1 year. Plugs typically require 2 full growing seasons to fill in completely. Sod establishes the fastest, usually rooting within 2-3 weeks.

Does zoysiagrass stay green in winter? No. Zoysiagrass goes dormant and turns tan or brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F, typically from late fall through early spring. It will green up again once temperatures warm in spring.

Can zoysiagrass grow in shade? Yes, zoysiagrass has better shade tolerance than most warm-season grasses. It needs a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight daily, though it performs best in full sun (6+ hours).

What is the best fertilizer for zoysiagrass? Apply 2-3 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, split between late spring and early fall applications. Avoid fertilizing during dormancy or peak summer heat.

Cited sources

Establishment and Care of Zoysiagrass Lawns. University of Missouri Extension.

Zoysiagrass Lawns. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.