Zoysia Grass Growing Tips

Zoysia grass is a popular type of grass among homeowners, and it’s easy to see why. It is a warm-season, drought-resistant variety that loves full sun and requires little maintenance once it’s established. Since it tolerates heat well, zoysia grass is best suited to warm climates. One advantage, though, is that it can also be grown further north than most other warm-season varieties. Here are some more facts about zoysia grass.

Zoysia grass is slow-growing

A seeded zoysia lawn can take up to six months to become lush, while a planting in an an area of established growth using plugs may take up to two years. Once established, zoysia grass will create a thick carpet of turf that is virtually weed-free. Another advantage of the slow growth pattern of zoysia grass is that it needs fewer cuttings.
This grass goes dormant in cool months, turning brown. Some people do not like a brown lawn in the off season, and that is a major disadvantage to them. Also, because zoysia grass is a warm season variety, it can start to turn brown if you get some unusually cool weather in the Fall. However, zoysia is one of the first warm-season grasses to green in spring.

Zoysia is a warm-season grass

Although it is a warm-season grass, zoysia can tolerate a wide range of climate conditions, and can handle cold temperatures, partial shade, and even salt spray in coastal regions. It has a deep root system, which helps it to choke out weeds.

A zoysia lawn holds up reasonably well to foot traffic, but one drawback is that it recovers slowly from damage (due to the fact that it grows so slowly).

There are many types of zoysia to choose from, each with its own set of attributes, which makes finding a suitable variety easy. Some of the most popular species and cultivars of zoysia grasses used for home lawns are: Japanese or Korean Lawngrass,, Matrella or Manilagrass, Mascarenegrass, Emerald, Belaire, Meyer, El Toro, and Cashmere zoysia grass.

Zoysia grass is not for every lawn, but many homeowners are happy with it. Like all turf grasses, it’s important to consult a lawncare professional to help you with the decision about what to plant. Find the right type of grass for your zoysia lawn and you’ll be very happy with the results.