Zoysia Grass

What is Zoysia Grass?

Zoysia grass is a popular grass type grown in lawns throughout the transition zone of the United States (from Northern Georgia to Southern Illinois). Known for its ability to retain water and resist drought, zoysia is beautifully lush and green through most of the year.

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Zoysia is a dense warm-season grass that is relatively low-maintenance. This beautiful turf does better in cold weather than other warm-season turfs, making it popular in the transition zone of the United States. It is also found throughout the southern United States.

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The blades of zoysia grass are light to medium green and create a thick carpet of turf in the lawn. Blades range from thin and fine to medium wide. The grass will turn brown as it goes dormant in the winter. It grows by both above-ground stems (stolons) and underground shoots (rhizomes), filling in bare spots. Zoysia is slow to establish from seed or plugs but will grow dense once roots take hold. The deep roots conserve moisture and help resist drought.

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Zoysia grass prefers sun but can handle light shade. The turf has low water needs to stay healthy, making it ideal for areas that see infrequent rain.

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Zoysia can be found in lawns but also on the fairways and tees of golf courses. It can also be used on slopes to prevent erosion.

Tips for caring for your Zoysia!

Zoysia requires routine maintenance. Read below for tips on how to keep your grass healthy and vibrant.

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MOWING

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Zoysia should be kept 1-3 inches tall. The turf grows slowly but can grow slightly faster in the summer meaning the timing between mowing will vary.

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Because zoysia is so thick and dense, it can be hard to cut with dull mower blades. Keep the blades of your lawnmower sharp between mows to prevent irregular mowing patterns and uneven clippings.

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WATERING

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Zoysia needs 1 inch of water per week. If there is not adequate rainfall, watering with a sprinkler one morning a week should be sufficient.

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Zoysia is susceptible to fungus because the thick turf can retain moisture well. Be sure to water in the morning to allow the lawn to dry throughout the day and keep the lawn landscaped to avoid pooling water.