Everything to Know About Growing Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass (Zoysia spp.) is perfect for homeowners who want a lush, warm-season turf grass that tolerates drought and foot traffic without needing large amounts of fertilizer. This low, sod-forming grass spreads by strong, branching rhizomes and stolons. Its sharply pointed blades become emerald green, turning straw-like and brown in cooler winter months.

This dense, warm-weather-loving grass is a dominant lawn grass in many southern U.S. suburbs. It's versatile, low-maintenance, and slow-growing, so it doesn't need to be mowed as often. Zoysia grass turf is often used in parks, golf courses, and other places of high foot traffic.

Common Name	Zoysia grass
Botanical Name	Zoysia spp.
Family	Poaceae
Plant Type	Perennial
Mature Size	4-6 in. tall
Sun Exposure	Full
Soil Type	Well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic, neutral
Hardiness Zones	5-10 (USDA)
Native Area	Korea

Zoysia Grass Care

Plant zoysia grass in an area with full sun exposure, receiving at least six hours of direct sun per day. Water this grass deeply at a rate of an inch per week. Fertilize with nitrogen throughout the growing season for best results.

Light

Zoysia grass needs full sun to maintain a plush, dense carpet on your lawn. As shade increases, the grass will become thin, which allows weeds to grow and compete, further stressing the grass.

Soil

One of the benefits of zoysia grass is the wide variety of soils it tolerates. Even acidic soils are not a problem, although if the soil pH is below 6, you might need to apply lime. Good drainage will help zoysia create a deep root system that increases its drought tolerance.

Water

Zoysia grows best with 1 inch of water per week, but it is drought-tolerant. Water deeply to encourage a deep root system that can endure brief droughts.

If your soil is compacted or is predominately clay, adjust water irrigation appropriately to the dry side. Watering early in the morning allows grass to dry quickly and potentially prevent fungal diseases.

Temperature and Humidity

Zoysia grass is a warm-weather grass. It grows best in very warm to hot weather, above 80°F. It will stop growing when the first frost hits and remain dormant and brown throughout winter. Zoysia tolerates a wide range of humidity levels.

In cooler climates, zoysia turf grass is the last turf grass to turn green in the spring, and it is the first turf grass to turn brown and go dormant in the fall.

Fertilizer

Before applying fertilizer, have a soil test performed so you know precisely what nutrients your soil requires. In general, zoysia grass requires 2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn throughout the growing season, more for sandy soils, and less for clay.

Resist the urge to over-fertilize, as this will cause a dense layer of decomposing roots and stems, known as thatch, to build up quickly under the live grass. Raking with a tine rake in the fall helps to break up any accumulating thatch.

Mowing, Seeding, and Aerating

Once you seed zoysia grass, mowing it and maintaining it is easy. Keep your eyes out for weeds before they get out of control, and perform core aeration yearly.

• Seed zoysia grass evenly across the desired area in spring or summer. Lightly rake the seeds 1/4 inch into the soil and water well.
• In spring, start mowing zoysia grass when it turns green, usually a week or two after the last frost.
• In summer, mow to a height of 1 to 2 inches. Mow at a frequency so that you are not removing more than 1/3 of the blade at a time.
• In fall, mow less frequently to maintain the 1- to 2-inch height.
• Control weeds by pulling them regularly.
• Perform core aeration in early summer, which can help to keep zoysia grass from forming a dense mat of thatch, preventing water and fertilizer from penetrating the soil.

Tip

Mowing zoysia grass often and taking off no more than a third of the grass height is better than allowing the grass to grow tall and then scalping it.

Types of Zoysia Grass

There are a few different species of Zoysia grass used in lawns:

• Z. japonica (Japanese lawn grass) is the only species commercially available as seed. Varieties include Z. japonica 'Meyer,' which was developed and released in the 1950s. It has a coarse texture and improved cold tolerance. Z. japonica ‘Zenith’is a variety with medium-coarse blades. Z. japonica ‘Compadre’is a popular choice for athletic fields, because it is wear-tolerant.
• Z. matrella (Manila grass) has a finer texture than Z. japonica. It is less cold-tolerant and grows more slowly, so it does not need frequent mowing. 'Emerald' is a high-quality lawn of soft, thin blades.
• Z. tenuifolia (Korean grass), grows in full sun or partial shade and is often considered "no mow" because of its short height. It has a soft "puffy" appearance and thrives in hot, humid climates.

How to Grow Zoysia From Seed

Although zoysia lawns are most commonly established by strip sodding, sprigging, or plugs, you can also sow zoysia seed. Do this in the spring, which is the opposite of cool-weather-grass planting. Newly seeded zoysia lawns can take up to two seasons to produce dense turf.

1. Rake bare soil lightly to cultivate.
2. Broadcast the seed with your spreader according to the seed package directions.
3. To overseed an established lawn, aerate and vertically cut it to expose the soil surface, and then broadcast seed.
4. Water several times every day for at least one month, as the seedbed must stay constantly moist for germination to occur.

Aerator Tip

Looking for the best aerator to get the ground ready for your zoysia grass? We researched the top lawn aerators that will quickly loosen up that compact soil before you spread the grass seed.

Common Pests & Diseases

Zoysia grass is seldom bothered by pests or diseases. Lawn grubs from Japanese beetles or June beetles might feed on zoysia roots in early summer. A few grubs won't cause any noticeable damage, but if you have a large outbreak, you can apply treatments before they turn into adults.

Large patch is a fungal disease that affects warm-season grasses, including zoysia grass. It can be brought on by excessive nitrogen, thatch, and overwatering or poor drainage.

From: thespruce