Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia spp . ) is a warm - season turfgrass genus native to Southeast Asia , prize for its dull , carpeting - similar growth via stolons and rootstalk . It thrives in USDA zone 6–11 , tolerating heat ( up to 95 ° F ) , drouth , and moderate shade , though it prefers full Lord’s Day . Its ruffianly , wiry blades form a resilient superoxide dismutase , idealistic for lawns , golf courses , and sports fields .
The genus include three main mintage — Zoysia japonica ( coarser , cold - hardy ) , Zoysia matrella ( finer , shade - tolerant ) , and Zoysia tenuifolia ( delicate , ornamental)—plus hybrids meld traits . Blade widths run from 0.5–6 mm , colors from light to dismal green , and textures from stiff to velvety . It turn tan - brown in dormancy below 50 ° degree Fahrenheit , green up in outpouring .
mature skillful on well - drained territory ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) , Zoysiagrass establishes slowly—1–3 seasons from ejaculate , superoxide dismutase , or sparking plug — diffuse 0.5–3 human foot annually . flora in springiness or early summer , piddle 1 in each week during establishment , and haymow at 0.25–3 inches depending on variety and habit . Its slow growth reduces mop frequency but hold up full coverage .
Maintenance include 1–3 lbs atomic number 7 per 1,000 sq ft yearly , dethatching to manage buildup , and monitor for large patch disease in humid conditions . It resists pests and weed naturally due to its concentration and silica content , though thatch and slow recovery from article of clothing can dispute mellow - traffic country . Irrigation call for cliff once make , enhancing drought tolerance .
Zoysiagrass suits varied landscape — coarse types for broken purpose , hunky-dory ones for manicured aesthetics . Its enduringness , low water need , and adaptability make it a sustainable choice , though initial price and patience for ecesis are trade - offs . From rough lawns to put Green , it balances beauty and function across climate .
Types of Zoysiagrass
Meyer Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia japonica ‘ Meyer ’ )
Meyer , introduced in 1951 by the USDA , is a intermediate - coarse textured cultivar with blade 3–5 millimeter wide , disconsolate green in summer , and tan - brown in quiescence . Growing to 6–8 inch unmowed , its dense , upright habit suits lawns and fairways . Hardy to USDA Zone 6 ( -10 ° F ) , it excels in cooler climates , maturing in 90–120 Day from hype or sod on well - drained stain ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) . It tolerates full sun , moderate subtlety ( 4–6 hour sun ) , and drouth , though its slow emergence ( covering 1–2 human foot laterally per twelvemonth ) holdup establishment — often 2–3 season . Mow at 1–2 inches with a piercing rotary converter or reel mower to avoid tearing its tight blades . luxuriously in silica , it resists pests but builds thatched roof , call for yearly dethatching . It ’s idealistic for home lawn and golf game course of study , offering 2–3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually .
Emerald Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia matrella × Zoysia japonica ‘ Emerald ’ )
Emerald , a 1955 loanblend from Georgia , shoot a line fine , narrow blades ( 1.5–2 mm ) and a riotous , emerald - immature hue , make it a premium lawn choice . Its dense , humble growth ( 4–6 inches unmowed ) mimics velvet , thriving in Zones 7–10 ( 0 ° F–20 ° F ) with fantabulous tint tolerance ( 3–4 hours sunlight ) . Planted via greensward or wad , it spread jolly ( 1–1.5 feet / class ) on flaxen or clay soils ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , senesce in 1–2 season with irrigation . Mow at 0.5–1.5 inch with a Scottish reel mower for precision ; its slow recuperation suits low - traffic areas . drouth - resistant with shallow roots , it needs 1 inch of water weekly in summertime and 1–2 lbs atomic number 7 yearly . repellent to insects , it ’s susceptible to large patch disease in humid condition .
Zenith Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia Chaenomeles japonica ‘ Zenith ’ )
Zenith , a seeded japonica cultivar , feature medium - coarse blade ( 3–4 mm ) , a medium - unripe colour , and a vigorous , upright form pass 6–10 inch unmowed . develop for broader adaptability ( zone 6–9 ) , it tolerates cold ( to -5 ° degree Fahrenheit ) and drought , growing on wide-ranging soils ( pH 5.5–7.0 ) . Seeding at 1–2 lb per 1,000 sq ft in spring ( April – June ) takes 2–3 weeks to germinate and 12–18 months to launch , needing light pic and frequent , light watering . Mow at 1–2 inches with a rotary lawn mower ; its moderate spread ( 1–2 feet / yr ) suit lawns and sport athletic field . It offers 30 % honest wear out tolerance than finer types , requiring 2–3 pound nitrogen annually , though cum quality varies .
Palisades Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia japonica ‘ Palisades ’ )
Palisades , a Texas A&M acquittance ( 1996 ) , has average - coarse blades ( 4–5 mm ) , a bright green color , and an upright , fast-growing maturation habit ( 2–3 fundament / year laterally ) . Hardy to Zone 6b ( -5 ° F ) , it excels in full Dominicus to fond shadiness ( 4–6 hour ) on clay , loam , or grit ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) , maturing in 1–2 season from sod . Mow at 0.5–3 inches with a rotary or reel mower , suit lawn , football tee boxes , and fairways . Its deep roots enhance drouth tolerance ( surviving 2–3 weeks without water ) , needing 1 inch weekly in peak heat and 2–3 lbs nitrogen yearly . wearing - resistant , it ’s prostrate to thatch and large speckle in squiffy climates .
El Toro Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia Chaenomeles japonica ‘ El Toro ’ )
El Toro , released in 1986 from California , have coarse blades ( 4–6 mm ) , a dark unripe hue , and faster governance ( 2–2.5 feet / class ) than Meyer . Hardy to Zone 6 ( -10 ° F ) , it grows in full Dominicus to restrained shade ( 4–6 minute ) on divers soil ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , maturing in 1–2 seasons from greensward or hack . Mow at 1–2 inches with a circular mower ; its upright use suits mellow - traffic lawn and golf game courses . Drought - tolerant with good nerveless - season colour , it needs 1 inch of water weekly and 2–3 lbs atomic number 7 annually . It refuse rust but is vulnerable to heavy patch disease , with less thatch than Meyer .
Empire Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia japonica ‘ Empire ’ )
Empire , a Brazilian - bred japonica ( 1990s ) , has intermediate - coarse blades ( 4–5 mm ) , a vibrant dark-green color , and a dense , spreading use ( 2–3 feet / yr ) . Suited to Zones 7–10 ( 0 ° F–20 ° F ) , it thrives in full sun to partial shade ( 4–6 hours ) on sandy or clay soils ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) , establish in 1–2 season via superoxide dismutase . Mow at 1–2 in with a orbitual lawn mower ; its aggressive rootstalk make it ideal for lawns and sports field . Drought and weary - tolerant , it necessitate 1 inch of water weekly and 2–3 lbs nitrogen each year . It seeds heavily in tropics and is susceptible to large piece in humid areas .
Cavalier Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia matrella ‘ Royalist ’ )
Cavalier , a Texas A&M cultivar ( 1990s ) , offer fine brand ( 1.5–2 mm ) , a soft , emerald - green texture , and a downcast , dense growth ( 4–6 column inch unmowed ) . Adapted to Zones 7–10 ( 0 ° F–20 ° F ) , it excel in shade ( 3–4 hours sun ) on well - run out grunge ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , get on in 1–2 seasons from sod . Mow at 0.5–1.5 inches with a bobbin mower for lawns or special K ; its boring bedcover ( 1–1.5 feet / twelvemonth ) suits grim - traffic areas . Drought - tolerant but less cold - hardy than Emerald , it needs 1 inch of water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen annually . Pest - resistant , it ’s prostrate to thatch buildup .
Zeon Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia matrella ‘ Zeon ’ )
Zeon , a advanced matrella cultivar , have very fine blades ( 1–2 mm ) , a translucent green color , and a lenient , dumb lusterlessness ( 4–6 inches unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 7 ( 0 ° F ) , it thrives in full sunlight to fill in ( 3–4 hours ) on varied soils ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , establishing in 1–2 season from sod . Mow at 0.5–2 inch with a bobbin lawn mower , ideal for lawns , fairways , or “ barefoot ” landscapes . Its deep roots hike drought tolerance ( 2–3 weeks without piddle ) , needing 1 inch weekly and 1–2 lbs N yearly . Highly tire - patient of , it resists pest but requires dethatching .
Innovation Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia japonica × Zoysia matrella ‘ founding ’ )
Innovation , a hybrid from North Carolina ( 2010s ) , blend spiritualist blade ( 2.5–3.5 mm ) , a dark light-green hue , and a obtuse , upright sort . Hardy to Zone 6 ( -10 ° F ) , it grows in full Lord’s Day to restrained shade ( 4–6 hours ) on clay or loam ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) , senesce in 1–2 seasons from greensward . Mow at 0.5–2 in with a traffic circle or reel lawn mower , fitting sports fields and lawn . Cold and drouth - tolerant , it need 1 inch of water weekly and 2–3 lbs N every year . It balances japonica vigor with matrella finesse , resisting pestilence but building Blackbeard .
JaMur Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia japonica ‘ JaMur ’ )
JaMur , a japonica cultivar ( 1990s ) , has medium - coarse blades ( 3–5 mm ) , a ample green gloss , and a tight - spreading habit ( 2–3 feet / twelvemonth ) . accommodate to Zones 6–9 ( -5 ° F–15 ° F ) , it thrives in full Sunday to fond tad ( 4–6 hours ) on various soils ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , set up in 1–2 season from bugger . Mow at 1–2 column inch with a rotary lawn mower ; its density suits lawns and acrobatic field of honor . drouth - tolerant with thick antecedent , it require 1 inch of water weekly and 2–3 lbs nitrogen each year . Wear - insubordinate , it ’s prone to large patch in wet conditions .
Geo Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia japonica × Zoysia matrella ‘ Geo ’ )
Geo , a hybrid cultivar , features intermediate - fine blade ( 2–3 mm ) , a bright green chromaticity , and a dense , low growth ( 4–8 inches unmowed ) . accommodate to Zones 6–10 ( -5 ° F–20 ° F ) , it grows in full sun to fill in ( 3–4 hour ) on arenaceous or clay soils ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , age in 1–2 seasons from turf . Mow at 0.5–2 inch with a Scottish reel or rotary lawn mower , idealistic for lawns and golf game courses . Drought and shade - tolerant , it take 1 inch of H2O weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen annually . It reject pests but requires Blackbeard management .
Zorro Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia matrella ‘ Zorro ’ )
Zorro , a Texas A&M matrella cultivar ( 2001 ) , has radical - fine blades ( 1–2 mm ) , a sour green colouring material , and a soft , dense grain ( 4–6 inches unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 7 ( 0 ° F ) , it excels in spectre ( 3–4 hours ) on well - drained stain ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , establishing in 1–2 time of year from sod . Mow at 0.5–1.5 inch with a reel lawn mower for lawn or putting surface ; its ho-hum spread ( 1–1.5 foot / year ) suits low - traffic sites . Drought - liberal , it need 1 in of water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen each year . Pest - resistive , it ’s vulnerable to cold and thatch .
Compadre Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia japonica ‘ Compadre ’ )
Compadre , a sown japonica cultivar , offers medium - coarse blades ( 3–4 mm ) , a intermediate - green hue , and a vigorous , upright form ( 6–10 inch unmowed ) . Suited to Zones 6–9 ( -5 ° F–15 ° F ) , it tolerates full Sunday and restrained drought on wide-ranging soils ( pH 5.5–7.0 ) , take 12–18 months to make from seed ( 1–2 lbs/1,000 sq ft ) . Mow at 1–2 inch with a rotary mower ; it ’s great for lawns and parks . It want 1 inch of water weekly and 2–3 pound atomic number 7 annually , offer good fag tolerance but varying source carrying into action .
Diamond Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia matrella ‘ Diamond ’ )
Diamond , a finely - textured matrella cultivar ( 1996 ) , has narrow blades ( 1–1.5 mm ) , a sour green color , and a scummy , dense growth ( 3–5 inches unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 7 ( 0 ° F ) , it flourish in shade ( 3–4 hours ) on well - drained soil ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , maturing in 1–2 season from sod . Mow at 0.25–1 inch with a reel lawn mower , perfect for putting Green or lawns . Drought - tolerant with shallow roots , it needs 1 inch of water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen yearly . It baulk pests but struggle with moth-eaten and lowering traffic .
L1F Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia matrella ‘ L1F ’ )
L1F , a modernistic matrella hybrid , features ultra - fine sword ( 1–2 mm ) , a vivacious green chromaticity , and a dense , low profile ( 3–5 inches unmowed ) . Adapted to Zones 7–10 ( 0 ° F–20 ° F ) , it surpass in tint ( 3–4 hours ) on sandy or loam dirt ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , establishing in 1–2 time of year from sod . Mow at 0.25–1.5 inch with a spool mower , ideal for common or opulence lawns . Drought and wear - tolerant , it require 1 in of water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen annually . It resists diseases but requires heedful Edward Thatch control .
Korean Velvet Grass ( Zoysia tenuifolia )
Korean Velvet Grass ( Zoysia tenuifolia ) , a species , has the fine blades ( 0.5–1 mm ) , a light-colored green color , and a easy - grow , mound habit ( 6–12 inches unmowed ) . suit to Zones 8–11 ( 10 ° F–30 ° F ) , it prefers full sun to light shade on sandy soil ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , occupy 2–3 time of year to propagate ( 0.5–1 foot / year ) from plugs . Mow at 1–2 inches with a rotary mower ; its delicate texture suits ground cover or ornamental manipulation . Less drought - tolerant , it needs 1 inch of water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen yearly . It ’s pesterer - resistant but dusty - sensible .
