Zoysia Grass Pros and Cons
Zoysia grass has a reputation as a premium warm-season lawn grass, and for good reason: it produces a remarkably dense, carpet-like turf that resists weeds and wear better than almost any other warm-season species. It also has genuine drawbacks, particularly its slow establishment rate and its long dormancy period in cooler climates. Understanding both sides of this grass gives you a realistic picture of whether it is the right choice for your lawn.
What Is Zoysia Grass?
Zoysia is a genus of warm-season grasses (Zoysia spp.) native to Southeast Asia and parts of Australia. The most common species used in US lawns are Zoysia japonica (Japanese lawngrass), Zoysia matrella (Manila grass), and Zoysia tenuifolia (Korean velvet grass). Most commercially available lawn Zoysia varieties are Z. japonica or hybrids of Z. japonica and Z. matrella.
Zoysia spreads by both above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes, forming an interlocking mat of stems that produces the dense turf it is known for. The leaf blades are wiry and stiff compared to other warm-season grasses, giving Zoysia turf its characteristic feel underfoot.
Pros of Zoysia Grass
Exceptional Density and Weed Resistance
Fully established Zoysia turf is among the densest of any home lawn grass. The interlocking stolon and rhizome network, combined with the stiff, tightly packed leaf blades, creates a surface that leaves virtually no openings for weed seeds to germinate into. Lawns that are kept fertilized and mowed at the correct height need very little herbicide once establishment is complete.
Wear Tolerance and Recovery
Zoysia has excellent tolerance of moderate foot traffic and recovers well from localized damage because its rhizome network allows it to send new shoots into damaged areas without requiring reseeding. It is a good choice for family lawns with regular use, though it does not tolerate the sustained high traffic of an athletic field as well as Bermuda grass does.
Lower Mowing Frequency
Zoysia grows more slowly than Bermuda grass, which means it requires less frequent mowing once established. Many homeowners find that mowing every 7 to 10 days during peak summer growth is adequate, compared to every 5 to 7 days for Bermuda.
Moderate Shade Tolerance
Zoysia tolerates more shade than Bermuda grass and performs reasonably well with 4 to 6 hours of direct sun daily. This makes it a more practical choice than Bermuda for properties with partial shade from trees or structures.
Lower Water Requirement Than Bermuda
While Zoysia is not drought-tolerant in the way that Bahia or Centipede grass is, it requires less irrigation than Bermuda grass to maintain acceptable appearance during dry periods. Its dense turf also helps shade the soil surface, reducing evaporation.
Good Pest and Disease Resistance
Established Zoysia is relatively resistant to the common lawn pests and diseases that affect more susceptible warm-season grasses. Its dense growth habit reduces the insect and fungal access points that thinner turf provides.
Cons of Zoysia Grass
Slow Establishment
Zoysia is one of the slowest warm-season grasses to establish from sod or plugs, and establishing from seed takes even longer. Sod takes six to eight weeks to root into the underlying soil in good conditions. Plugs spaced 6 to 12 inches apart can take two to three growing seasons to fill in completely. Homeowners who want a full, dense lawn quickly find Zoysia’s establishment pace frustrating.
Long Dormancy Period
Zoysia goes dormant when temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit and turns tan or light brown throughout dormancy. In climates with cold winters, Zoysia can be brown from late October through April, spending nearly half the year dormant. For homeowners in USDA Zones 6 and below, this is the primary reason to consider a cool-season alternative.
Slow Spring Green-Up
Even after dormancy ends, Zoysia greens up slowly in spring compared to Bermuda grass. It may remain partially dormant while Bermuda lawns are already actively growing, which can be a visual frustration in areas where both species are used.
Thatch Accumulation
Zoysia’s dense stolon network produces significant thatch if over-fertilized or managed with excessive irrigation. Thatch buildup above half an inch causes root suffocation, disease susceptibility, and scalping during mowing. Annual or every-other-year dethatching or vertical mowing is necessary on Zoysia lawns that receive regular fertilization.
Invasive Into Beds
Zoysia’s rhizome and stolon spread does not respect lawn boundaries. It will invade ornamental beds, vegetable gardens, and adjacent lawns of different species if not controlled with a physical barrier or edging. Regular edging along bed borders is necessary to contain a Zoysia lawn.
Higher Cost of Establishment
Because most Zoysia is established from sod or plugs rather than seed, the initial establishment cost is higher than for seed-established cool-season or Bermuda grass lawns.
Is Zoysia Right for Your Lawn?
Zoysia is an excellent choice if you are in USDA Zones 6 to 9, have a property that gets at least 4 hours of direct sun, want a low-maintenance lawn once established, and can accept a slow establishment process and brown dormancy period in winter.
It is less appropriate if you need quick establishment, want a green lawn year-round, or are in a climate where the dormancy period would be unacceptably long.
For a comparison of Zoysia fertilizer needs versus other warm-season grasses, see best fertilizer for Zoysia grass. For a full overview of the warm-season and cool-season categories including Zoysia’s position within them, see warm season vs cool season grass: how to choose.