How to Grow and Care for Zoysia Grass

Homeowners looking for lush warm-season grass that tolerates drought and foot traffic without needing large amounts of fertilizer can meet these needs with a zoysia grass (Zoysia spp.) lawn. Plant this low, sod-forming grass from late spring to early summer for best results. Zoysia spreads by strong branching rhizomes or stolons, and is slower to establish itself than other grasses. Once matured, zoysia's narrow and sharply pointed blades will grow light to emerald green, turning straw-like and brown in cooler winter months.

Zoysia Grass Care

This dense, warm-weather-loving grass came to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century and has become a dominant lawn grass in many suburbs across the lower half of the nation.

The dense turf of zoysia grass is often used in parks, golf courses, and other places of high foot traffic. Core aeration in the early summer can help to keep zoysia grass from forming a dense mat of thatch that prevents water and fertilizer from penetrating the soil. 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.

Light

Zoysia grass needs full sun to maintain a plush, dense carpet on your lawn. As shade increases, the grasses 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 pH is below 6.0, you may need a lime application. Good drainage will help zoysia to create a deep root system that increases the drought tolerance of the grass.

Water

Zoysia grows best on an inch of water per week, but the grass is drought tolerant. Water deeply to encourage deep root systems that endure brief droughts. If your soil is compacted or characterized by clay, adjust your irrigation appropriately to the dry side. Watering early in the morning allows grass to dry quickly, preventing fungal diseases.

Temperature and Humidity

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

Fertilizer

Zoysia grass requires 2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen per thousand square feet of lawn, 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.

Zoysia Varieties

The two zoysia species used for lawns are:

• Zoysia japonica (Japanese or Korean lawn grass), the only species of zoysia grass that is commercially available as seed. It has a coarse texture. Varieties include Z. japonica 'Meyer', commonly known as Meyer zoysia grass, or Z-52, which was developed and released in the 1950s. It has 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.
• Zoysia 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. The variety 'Emerald' makes a high-quality lawn of soft, thin blades.

How to Grow Zoysia From Seed

Although zoysia lawns are most commonly established by the planting of sod or sod plugs, you can also plant 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 established lawns, aerate and verticut to expose soil surface, and then broadcast seed.
4. Water every day for at least one month as the seedbed must stay constantly moist for germination to occur.

Common Pests & Diseases

Zoysia grass is seldom bothered by pests or diseases. Lawn grubs from Japanese beetles or June beetles may 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 treat it with a preventative pesticide in the spring before they hatch.

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