Zoysia grass is a slow-spreading warm-season lawn grass: dense, shade- and wear-tolerant and fed 1 to 3 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft a year, but brown from mid-October to late May in St. Louis and slow to establish.
Key takeaways
- Three zoysia species are used in U.S. landscapes, and only Zoysia japonica is sold as seed (Zenith and Compadre); every other cultivar goes in as sod, plugs or sprigs (UF/IFAS LH011).
- In the most recent national trial, Brazos (FAES 1319) averaged 6.4, Emerald 6.3, Zeon 6.2, Empire 6.0 and Meyer 5.1 for turf quality on a 1 to 9 scale across 2020 to 2023 (NTEP report 24-12).
- Zoysiagrass sod sold at a national weighted average of 52.32 cents per sq ft at the farm in April to June 2026, against 38.04 cents for bermudagrass (USDA AMS).
- Texas A&M puts established zoysia at 1 to 3 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft a year (AgriLife SCSC-PU-279); NC State says no nitrogen at all from September through February (NC State AG-432).
- Plugs fill in slowly: NC State says two to four years from plugs, while sod roots in about 2 to 3 weeks with twice-daily 1/4-inch watering (NC State; UF/IFAS).
- Large patch, the main zoysia disease, becomes active when soil at 4 inches sits between 65°F and 75°F in fall (UF/IFAS).
| Key number | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Species sold as seed | 1 (Zoysia japonica: Zenith, Compadre) | UF/IFAS LH011 |
| Seeding rate | 1 to 2 lb pure live seed per 1,000 sq ft | U. of Arkansas MP476 |
| Seed when the soil surface reaches | 68°F to 72°F | U. of Arkansas MP476 |
| Rotary mowing height, coarse types | 1.75 to 2.5 in | UF/IFAS LH011 |
| Annual nitrogen, established lawn | 1 to 3 lb per 1,000 sq ft (Texas) | Texas A&M AgriLife |
| Dethatch when thatch exceeds | 1/2 in | NC State AG-432 |
| Sod, national farm price | 52.32¢ per sq ft (Q2 2026) | USDA AMS |
| Dormant season, St. Louis | Mid-October to mid or late May | Missouri Botanical Garden |
What is zoysia grass, and where does it grow?
Zoysia grass is a group of warm-season turfgrasses from Asia that spread by rhizomes and stolons into a dense mat. Zoysia japonica reached the United States in 1894 and Z. matrella in 1892 (UF/IFAS LH011). It grows best at 80°F to 95°F, browns at the first fall frost and is among the most cold-tolerant warm-season grasses (Clemson HGIC 1212).
That cold tolerance is why zoysia is planted well north of bermudagrass country. K-State calls it winter-hardy across much of Kansas but warns it turns chlorotic yellow on the alkaline soils of western Kansas and does not tolerate wet or poorly drained soil (K-State MF683). The Missouri Botanical Garden calls it the warm-season grass of choice for St. Louis. Profiles of the other warm- and cool-season lawn grasses are in our Turf & Trees section.
| Species | Common names | Texture and habit | Cold tolerance | Typical use | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoysia japonica | Japanese or Korean lawngrass | Coarse; fastest-growing zoysia; mows well with a rotary mower | Excellent | Home lawns; the only species sold as seed | UF/IFAS |
| Zoysia matrella | Manilagrass | Finer and denser than Z. japonica; slower; resembles bermudagrass | Lower | High-maintenance lawns, golf; good shade and salt tolerance | UF/IFAS |
| Zoysia pacifica (Clemson lists it as Z. tenuifolia) | Mascarenegrass, Korean velvetgrass | Finest and densest; heavy thatch, puffy look | Poor | Ornamental plantings, not lawns | UF/IFAS; Clemson |
What does zoysia grass look like?
Zoysia grass looks like a stiff, tightly packed carpet with pointed leaves that roll when the plant is short of water (Texas A&M AgriLife). Leaf width separates the types: in the NTEP trial, Zeon rated 7.3 and Emerald 7.1 for fineness on a 1 to 9 scale (9 = very fine), against 5.8 for Meyer and 5.3 for Empire. Dormant zoysia is tan to straw-colored from first frost until spring green-up.
Leaf texture also predicts the mower you need. Texas A&M says turf cut below 1 inch may need a reel mower, and that a reel’s scissor-like cut often keeps fine-textured Z. matrella and Z. matrella × Z. japonica lawns looking better than a rotary cut. Zoysia leaves are rich in fiber and lignin, so they also wear mower blades faster (SCSC-PU-279).
Which zoysia grass types and cultivars can you buy?
More than a dozen zoysia cultivars are sold as sod, and they differ more than the species name suggests. NC State lists 17 grown by North Carolina sod farms, from Cavalier and Chisholm to Zeon and Zorro (NC State AG-432). The table below compiles 15 of them from university release notes, extension ratings and NTEP trial data, with the source for each row.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Cultivar | Species or cross | Texture | Planted as | Origin or release | What sets it apart | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meyer (Z-52) | Z. japonica | Medium-coarse | Sod, plugs, sprigs | USDA and USGA, 1951 | Lowest NTEP quality of the 5 named entries (5.1) but lowest winter kill (11.5% in Indiana and Kansas); UF does not recommend it in Florida (billbugs, nematodes) | K-State; NTEP; UF/IFAS |
| Zenith | Z. japonica | Coarse to medium-coarse | Seed, about 1 lb per 1,000 sq ft in Kansas | Released 1993 | Performs well in Kansas; UF rates its Florida persistence poor and does not recommend it there | K-State; UF/IFAS |
| Compadre (formerly Companion) | Z. japonica | Not listed | Seed; coated label rate 2 to 4 lb per 1,000 sq ft | Seeded cultivar | Tolerates salt spray and salty irrigation water; good shade tolerance in the South | Clemson; U. of Arkansas; Hancock label |
| El Toro | Z. japonica | Coarse | Vegetative | California, 1986 | Faster establishment and less thatch than Meyer; susceptible to large patch | UF/IFAS |
| Empire (SS-500) | Z. japonica | Coarse | Vegetative | Not listed | Most common zoysia in Florida; 9.0 of 9 for drought (no wilting) in Kansas; 99% cover at Jay, Fla., by July 2020 | UF/IFAS; NTEP |
| JaMur | Z. japonica | Medium-coarse | Vegetative | Sold in Florida | Moderate shade; performs at recommended heights with a rotary mower | UF/IFAS |
| Palisades | Z. japonica | Coarse, upright | Vegetative | Texas A&M, 1996 | Excellent drought tolerance; held acceptable quality at 48% of reference ET in a 2023 to 2024 Dallas study | UF/IFAS; Texas A&M |
| Chisholm | Z. japonica | Coarse | Vegetative | Texas A&M and K-State, 2012 | Deep-rooted, good drought tolerance; suited to southern Kansas | K-State |
| Innovation | Z. japonica × Z. matrella | Medium (finer than Meyer) | Vegetative | Texas A&M and K-State (K-State lists 2015) | Cold tolerance equal to Meyer with a finer leaf; mow 1/2 in (reel) or 2 in (rotary) | K-State; Clemson |
| Brazos (FAES 1319) | Z. japonica | Medium | Vegetative | University of Florida; collected 2006 in the Everglades | Highest NTEP quality mean of the 5 named entries, 6.4 for 2020 to 2023; best shade quality at College Station (5.6) | Brazos; PP36,415; NTEP |
| CitraZoy (FAES 1307) | UF lists Z. matrella × Z. japonica | Medium-fine | Vegetative | University of Florida, 2019 | UF reports the best winter color retention of any zoysia on the market and no large patch observed | UF/IFAS |
| Emerald | Z. japonica × Z. pacifica | Fine | Vegetative | Tifton, Ga., 1955 | NTEP quality 6.3; winter kill 27.0% in Indiana and Kansas; Clemson says prone to winter injury north of Columbia, S.C. | UF/IFAS; Clemson; NTEP |
| Zeon | Z. matrella | Fine | Vegetative | Popular in many regions | Finest NTEP texture (7.3); most dollar spot of the 5 at Raleigh (4.7 of 9); UF says less adapted to Florida | UF/IFAS; NTEP |
| Geo | Z. matrella | Fine | Vegetative | Limited in Florida | Excellent shade tolerance; mow 1 in (reel) or 2 in (rotary) | Clemson; UF/IFAS |
| Zorro | Z. matrella | Fine | Vegetative | Texas A&M | Good shade tolerance; dollar spot and large patch are its disease issues; mow 0.5 to 2.0 in | UF/IFAS |
Two release-date conflicts exist in the extension record. K-State dates Meyer to 1951 and Innovation to 2015, while UF/IFAS describes Meyer as in use since the 1950s and dates Innovation to 2017 (K-State MF683; UF/IFAS). We list K-State’s dates because K-State co-released Innovation.
How did zoysia cultivars score in the latest NTEP trial?
In the 2019 National Zoysiagrass Test, rated 2020 to 2023 at more than a dozen sites, Brazos (FAES 1319) posted the highest quality mean of the five commercial entries at 6.4 on a 1 to 9 scale, followed by Emerald 6.3, Zeon 6.2, Empire 6.0 and Meyer 5.1 (NTEP). A gap of 0.3 or more is statistically significant.
| Rating (1 to 9, 9 = best unless noted) | Brazos (FAES 1319) | Emerald | Zeon | Empire | Meyer | LSD (0.05) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turf quality, all sites, 2020 to 2023 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 5.1 | 0.3 | NTEP qsum |
| Spring green-up, mean of 10 sites | 5.8 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 0.5 | NTEP Table 21 |
| Shade quality, College Station, Texas | 5.6 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 3.5 | 1.9 | NTEP Table 18 |
| Drought (wilting), Manhattan, Kan. | 8.6 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 9.0 | 4.7 | 1.3 | NTEP Table 31 |
| Traffic quality, Raleigh, 2020 | 5.7 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 3.9 | 0.8 | NTEP Table 16 |
| Leaf texture (9 = very fine) | 6.0 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 0.5 | NTEP Table 22 |
| Winter color retention, Ala. and Fla. | 4.8 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 2.7 | 1.1 | NTEP Table 29 |
| Winter kill, % (lower is better), Ind. and Kan. | 16.7 | 27.0 | 15.7 | 19.5 | 11.5 | 22.2 | NTEP Table 30 |
| Dollar spot, Raleigh (9 = none) | 6.8 | 5.3 | 4.7 | 7.7 | 6.3 | 1.8 | NTEP Table 32 |
Read the winter-kill row with care. Meyer lost 11.5 percent and Emerald 27.0 percent of cover in Indiana and Kansas, but the least significant difference is 22.2 points, so NTEP’s own statistics cannot separate the five. Where the data does separate them, Meyer trails: its drought wilting score of 4.7 at Manhattan, Kan., is 3.4 points or more below the other four (NTEP Table 31).
Which is better, Emerald or Zeon zoysia?
Emerald and Zeon zoysia scored within 0.1 point of each other for overall NTEP quality (6.3 and 6.2) and texture (7.1 and 7.3), so neither wins on looks. The differences are disease and cold: Zeon rated 4.7 for dollar spot at Raleigh against 5.3 for Emerald, and Clemson says Emerald is prone to winter injury north of Columbia, S.C. (Clemson HGIC 1212).
Which zoysia spreads the fastest?
Empire zoysia spread the fastest in NTEP’s establishment plots at Jay, Fla.: 66.7 percent cover by Oct. 28, 2019 and 99 percent by July 2020, while Meyer reached only 86.7 percent by October 2020 (NTEP Table 19). Among older lawn types, UF/IFAS and Clemson both name El Toro as faster than Meyer.
- Empire
- Brazos (FAES 1319)
- Zeon
- Emerald
- Meyer
Source: NTEP 2019 National Zoysiagrass Test, Table 19 (large patch study site, Jay, Fla.) LSD ranges from 5.6 to 22.1 points depending on the date.
Show the numbers
| Empire | Brazos (FAES 1319) | Zeon | Emerald | Meyer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2019 | 30 | 20 | 16.70 | 23.30 | 26.70 |
| Sep 30, 2019 | 40 | 20 | 20 | 23.30 | 26.70 |
| Oct 28, 2019 | 66.70 | 30 | 28.30 | 26.70 | 30 |
| Mar 2020 | 80 | 36.70 | 33.30 | 35 | 30 |
| Apr 2020 | 88.30 | 46.70 | 41.70 | 43.30 | 33.30 |
| May 2020 | 93.30 | 63.30 | 61.70 | 53.30 | 38.30 |
| Jun 2020 | 96.30 | 78.30 | 75 | 65 | 41.70 |
| Jul 2020 | 99 | 86.70 | 88 | 75 | 55 |
| Aug 2020 | 99 | 93 | 94.30 | 85 | 68.30 |
| Sep 2020 | 99 | 94.70 | 96 | 91.30 | 78.30 |
| Oct 2020 | 99 | 97.70 | 97.70 | 96.30 | 86.70 |
Can you plant zoysia grass from seed, sod or plugs?
You can plant zoysia grass from seed, sod, plugs or sprigs, but only two seeded cultivars exist, Zenith and Compadre, and UF/IFAS says seeded types generally make lower-quality turf than vegetative ones (UF/IFAS LH011). Sod gives full cover on day one; plugs and sprigs cost a fraction as much and take one to four seasons to close.
| Method | Rate or spacing | Time to full cover | Best planting window | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid sod | 100% of the area, staggered seams | Roots hold in about 2 to 3 weeks | Late spring to early summer; sod can go in later if it has time to knit before frost | UF/IFAS; Texas A&M; K-State |
| Plugs (2 in, with 2 to 3 in of soil) | 6 to 12 in centers | Two growing seasons or less at 6 in; two to four years is typical for plugs | Late April to June in Kansas; May is best | Clemson; NC State; K-State |
| Sprigs (4 to 6 in pieces) | 2 to 3 sq yd of sod shredded per 1,000 sq ft; rows 6 in apart | Near full cover by season’s end if planted in early June and weeds are controlled | Late April to June | K-State |
| Seed (Zenith, Compadre) | 1 to 2 lb pure live seed per 1,000 sq ft; 0.5 lb if speed does not matter | Germinates in 7 to 10+ days; Zenith sown in June in Kansas reached 75%+ cover before winter | Soil surface 68°F to 72°F; May 15 to July 1 in Arkansas | U. of Arkansas MP476 |
Zoysia seed needs light to germinate. The University of Arkansas says not to bury it deeper than 1/4 inch, and UF/IFAS says it cannot be covered with soil the usual way, so seeded areas need an erosion blanket against washout (MP476; LH011). Doubling the seeding rate from 1 to 2 lb pure live seed raised first-season cover by at most 11 percent in the research MP476 summarizes.
How to plant zoysia plugs
Plugging is the cheapest route to a vegetative zoysia lawn, and the spacing you choose sets both the plug count and the wait. The steps below combine K-State, NC State and Clemson instructions; the plug counts come from simple geometry (144 square inches in a square foot divided by the spacing squared).
- Test the soil first and correct pH toward 6.0 to 6.5, the range K-State calls ideal for zoysia (K-State MF683).
- Kill the existing turf where plugs go in; K-State notes that sprigs and seed take poorly into a living lawn, and glyphosate is the tool it names for full removal.
- Plant between late April and June (May is best in Kansas) so plugs root before the first frost.
- Cut plugs at least 2 inches across with 2 to 3 inches of soil and roots attached.
- Set plugs on 6-inch centers (4,000 per 1,000 sq ft), 8-inch centers (2,250) or 12-inch centers (1,000), tops level with the soil surface, and firm them in.
- Apply a preemergence herbicide labeled as safe for zoysia root growth to keep weeds out of the gaps (NC State AG-432).
- Keep the soil moist until plugs root, then switch to deep, infrequent watering.
Why is zoysia grass so expensive?
Zoysia grass is expensive because it grows slowly at the sod farm too. Zoysiagrass sod averaged 52.32 cents per sq ft at the farm in the second quarter of 2026, 37.5 percent more than bermudagrass at 38.04 cents (USDA AMS). North Carolina farms averaged $0.59 a sq ft on the farm and $0.65 delivered in 2026 (NC State sod report).
The material math changes sharply with the planting method. The worked table below prices 1,000 sq ft using the USDA national average, and assumes plugs are cut as 2-inch squares from that sod. Hauling adds $0.05 to $0.12 a sq ft or $75 to $450 a delivery, per the same USDA report. Labor is excluded; our sod installation cost guide covers installed prices.
| Method | Material needed per 1,000 sq ft | Arithmetic | Material cost per 1,000 sq ft | Cost for a 5,000 sq ft lawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid sod | 1,000 sq ft | 1,000 × $0.5232 | $523.20 | $2,616 |
| Plugs, 6 in centers | 4,000 plugs = 111.1 sq ft of sod | 4,000 × 4 sq in ÷ 144 × $0.5232 | $58.13 | $291 |
| Plugs, 8 in centers | 2,250 plugs = 62.5 sq ft of sod | 2,250 × 4 ÷ 144 × $0.5232 | $32.70 | $164 |
| Plugs, 12 in centers | 1,000 plugs = 27.8 sq ft of sod | 1,000 × 4 ÷ 144 × $0.5232 | $14.53 | $73 |
| Sprigs | 2 to 3 sq yd (18 to 27 sq ft) of sod | 18 to 27 × $0.5232 | $9.42 to $14.13 | $47 to $71 |
| Coated Compadre seed | 2 to 4 lb (label rate) | 2 to 4 × $25.00 per lb (50 lb bag at $1,249.99) | $50 to $100 | $250 to $500 |
The trade is time for money. Plugs on 12-inch centers save about $509 per 1,000 sq ft against solid sod in this example, but NC State expects two to four years of weed control in the gaps. Seed prices by bag size are in our grass seed cost guide, and our sod vs seed comparison runs the same math for other grasses.
How do you mow, water and fertilize zoysia grass?
Zoysia grass needs a sharp blade set at 1.75 to 2.5 inches for coarse types on a rotary mower, about 1/2 to 1 inch of water a week in summer, and nitrogen only while it is actively growing (UF/IFAS; NC State). Too much nitrogen is the most common mistake, because it drives both thatch and large patch.
How short should you cut zoysia grass?
Cut coarse zoysia grass such as Empire, El Toro or Palisades at 1.75 to 2.5 inches with a rotary mower, and fine types such as Zeon or Geo at 1 to 2 inches (UF/IFAS; Texas A&M). Below 1 inch, Texas A&M says a reel mower is usually needed. Remove no more than one-third of the leaf at a time.
| Cultivar or group | Recommended height | Mower | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coarse Z. japonica (Empire, El Toro, JaMur, Palisades) | 1.75 to 2.5 in; mow when it reaches 3 to 4 in | Rotary | UF/IFAS |
| Coarse zoysia lawns, Texas | 1 to 2.5 in | Rotary or reel | Texas A&M |
| Fine zoysia lawns, Texas | 1 to 2 in | Reel below 1 in | Texas A&M |
| Geo, Zeon, Zorro | 0.5 to 2.0 in | Reel or rotary | UF/IFAS |
| Empire, Geo | 1 in (reel) or 2 in (rotary) | Either | Clemson |
| Innovation | 1/2 in (reel) or 2 in (rotary) | Either | Clemson |
| Palisades | 1/2 to 3 in | Either | Clemson |
| Most zoysia, South Carolina | About 2 in | Reel preferred; rotary if sharpened often | Clemson |
What is the best fertilizer for zoysia grass?
The best fertilizer for zoysia grass is the one your soil test calls for. Without a test, NC State recommends a complete fertilizer in a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio, such as 12-4-8 or 16-4-8, at 1/2 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft three weeks after green-up (NC State AG-432). UF/IFAS adds potassium at the same rate as nitrogen.
Lab fees, sampling depth and how to read the report are covered in our guide to getting a soil test for your lawn.
Annual totals depend on season length. UF/IFAS gives 2 to 3 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft a year in north Florida, 2 to 4 in central Florida and 2.5 to 4.5 in south Florida, split into three to six feedings; Florida Rule 5E-1.003 limits fertilizer label directions to 0.7 lb of readily available nitrogen per application, and to 2 lb of total nitrogen per application in spring or summer or 1 lb in fall or winter (Fla. Admin. Code 5E-1.003). K-State says about 2 lb per season at most, and 1.5 lb is common (K-State MF683).
| Source and region | Nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year | Timing rule |
|---|---|---|
| UF/IFAS, north Florida | 2 to 3 lb | First feeding mid-April; Rule 5E-1.003 limits fall and winter feedings to 1 lb |
| UF/IFAS, central Florida | 2 to 4 lb | First feeding early April |
| UF/IFAS, south Florida | 2.5 to 4.5 lb | Year-round growth; up to six feedings |
| NC State, North Carolina | 1.5 to 2.5 lb (sum of the calendar: 1/2 lb in spring, 1/2 to 1 lb late June or early July, repeated mid-August); never above 4 lb | No nitrogen September through February |
| Texas A&M, Texas | 1 to 3 lb | Start after the lawn has been mowed twice; last feeding 4 to 6 weeks before first frost |
| K-State, Kansas | 1.5 to about 2 lb | Feedings 4 to 6 weeks apart, late May to end of July; none in fall or early spring |
NC State’s shortcut converts any bag into pounds of product: divide 50 by the first number on the bag to get the pounds that deliver 1/2 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, and divide 100 by the third number for 1 lb of potash. The worked rows below use that formula.
| Bag analysis | Target per 1,000 sq ft | Formula | Product per 1,000 sq ft | Product for 5,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-4-8 | 1/2 lb nitrogen | 50 ÷ 16 | 3.1 lb | 15.6 lb |
| 16-4-8 | 1 lb nitrogen (summer maximum) | 100 ÷ 16 | 6.25 lb | 31.3 lb |
| 0-0-60 (muriate of potash) | 1 lb potash, fall | 100 ÷ 60 | 1.7 lb (NC State lists 1.6) | 8.3 lb |
Yellow leaves on soil above pH 7.0 often mean iron or manganese shortage, not nitrogen shortage. UF/IFAS suggests 2 ounces of ferrous sulfate in 3 to 5 gallons of water per 1,000 sq ft, repeated about every 6 weeks, which greens the lawn without pushing growth (UF/IFAS LH011).
How much water does zoysia grass need?
Established zoysia needs about 1/2 to 1 inch of water a week, applied when leaves fold, wilt or turn blue-gray, not every day (NC State). UF/IFAS sets each watering at 1/2 to 3/4 inch, which wets the top 8 inches of soil. The Missouri Botanical Garden puts the minimum at 1/2 inch a week to stay green and 1/4 inch to stay alive while dormant.
Daily watering is for new plantings only: on new sod, UF/IFAS calls for 1/4 inch at least twice a day until roots hold, usually 2 to 3 weeks. After that, K-State says soak the soil 6 to 8 inches deep and wait as long as possible before the next watering, because frequent light watering builds thatch and disease (K-State MF683).
What are the downsides and common problems of zoysia grass?
The main downsides of zoysia grass are a long brown season, slow recovery from any damage, thatch buildup and large patch disease. K-State lists late green-up, early browning, several seasons to establish and tough, hard-to-mow foliage among its disadvantages (K-State MF683). UF/IFAS adds that zoysia is the first lawn grass to go off-color in fall and the last to green up.
| Problem | Trigger or threshold | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large patch (Rhizoctonia solani) | Active when 4-in soil temperature is 65°F to 75°F in fall; patches 2 to 10 ft across show at spring green-up | If chronic, apply a preventive fungicide when soil holds 70°F, twice, 21 to 28 days apart; avoid spring and late-fall nitrogen | UF/IFAS; NC State |
| Thatch | More than 1/2 in | Vertical mow after green-up, June gives the least shock in Kansas; remove it over several seasons | NC State; K-State |
| Hunting billbug | 10 to 12 billbugs per sq ft | Control may be needed; damage is often mistaken for dormancy in spring and fall | UF/IFAS |
| Yellowing on alkaline soil | pH above 7.0 | Foliar iron or manganese; western Kansas soils limit zoysia | UF/IFAS; K-State |
| Herbicide injury | Glyphosate on dormant zoysia | Do not spray it; NC State says it injures dormant zoysiagrass | NC State |
| Dollar spot | Nitrogen below optimal | A light nitrogen feeding usually corrects it | UF/IFAS |
| Root rot, thin turf | Wet or poorly drained soil | Choose another grass for that area; zoysia sod will not root into saturated soil | K-State |
Zoysia’s slow growth is also why weeds rarely get in. UF/IFAS says a dense zoysia lawn resists weed invasion and, unlike St. Augustinegrass and centipedegrass, tolerates many postemergence herbicides for grassy weeds (UF/IFAS LH011). Thatch removal pricing is in our dethatching cost guide, core aeration prices are in our lawn aeration cost guide, and timing by grass type is in our guide to when to aerate your lawn.
Will dead zoysia grass grow back?
Dormant zoysia grass grows back; dead zoysia does not. The Missouri Botanical Garden’s test: dormant grass is firm at the base and resists a gentle tug, while dead grass pulls up easily with shriveled roots. UF/IFAS says drought-dormant zoysia browns within about a week and regains color once rain or irrigation resumes (UF/IFAS).
Zoysia vs bermuda vs St. Augustine: which grass fits your lawn?
Zoysia sits between bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass: it takes more shade than bermuda, is mowed lower than St. Augustine, has the lowest Florida nitrogen ranges of the three, and its sod costs about as much as St. Augustine. Bermuda establishes far faster; UF/IFAS says bermuda plugs on 12- to 24-inch centers cover in 3 to 9 months (UF/IFAS LH007).
| Factor | Zoysiagrass | Bermudagrass | St. Augustinegrass | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen, north Florida (lb per 1,000 sq ft per year) | 2 to 3 | 3 to 5 | 2 to 4 | UF/IFAS LH011; LH007; LH010 |
| Nitrogen, south Florida | 2.5 to 4.5 | 5 to 7 | 4 to 6 | Same |
| Mowing height, home lawn | 1.75 to 2.5 in (coarse, rotary) | 1 to 2 in | 3.5 to 4 in (standard cultivars) | Same |
| Sod, national farm price, Q2 2026 | 52.32¢ per sq ft | 38.04¢ | 54.25¢ | USDA AMS |
| Sod, N.C. on-farm average, 2026 | $0.59 | $0.41 | $0.60 | NC State |
| Shade | More shade-tolerant than bermuda | Less shade-tolerant than zoysia | Varies by cultivar: poor for Floratam, good for Seville | Clemson; UF/IFAS LH010 |
| Postemergence grassy-weed herbicides | Many | Not compared in UF Table 1 | None | UF/IFAS Table 1 |
| Plug cover time | At least one full season on 8 to 12 in centers | 3 to 9 months on 12 to 24 in centers | Varies with 6 to 24 in spacing | UF/IFAS; LH007 |
Pick bermuda for full sun and hard wear: UF/IFAS says it spreads aggressively from stolons and rhizomes and covers from 12-inch plugs in 3 to 6 months (LH007). Pick St. Augustine where a 3.5 to 4 inch mowing height suits the yard. Our guides to bermuda grass and St. Augustine grass cover each in depth.
Will zoysia grass overtake bermuda?
Zoysia rarely overtakes an established bermudagrass lawn on its own. The University of Arkansas calls converting common bermudagrass to seeded zoysia difficult and lists fumigation, or three glyphosate applications in May, June and August, before seeding (MP476). NC State adds that zoysia is easier than bermuda to keep out of flower beds.
Where do zoysia care guides disagree with extension research?
Several popular zoysia care guides give timing and height advice that the land-grant publications contradict. The table quotes each guide as published in October 2026 next to the primary source, so you can check both. The biggest gap is green-up: one seed company calls zoysia among the first warm-season lawns to green up, while UF/IFAS calls it the last.
| Topic | What the guide says | What the extension source says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring green-up | Zoysia lawns are “among the first warm-season lawns to green up” (Pennington) | Zoysiagrass is “the first turf species to go off-color in the fall and the last to green-up in the spring” | UF/IFAS LH011 |
| Mowing height | Keep zoysia at 1 to 1 1/2 inches in spring (Pennington) | 1.75 to 2.5 in for medium and coarse types on a rotary mower | UF/IFAS LH011 |
| Early-spring feeding | Feed in early spring with a 25-0-8 weed and feed (Pennington) | No fertilizer until the lawn is fully green; early-spring nitrogen raises large patch risk | Clemson; UF/IFAS |
| Fall nitrogen | Split 2 to 3 lb of nitrogen between late spring and early fall (Sunday) | No nitrogen September through November; potash only | NC State AG-432 |
Some of the gap is regional. A lawn in south Florida grows nearly year-round, and UF/IFAS allows feedings in every month there, so early-fall feeding can be reasonable in the Deep South. In the transition zone, K-State says late feeding may delay dormancy, and the Missouri Botanical Garden ties cool-season grass invasions of zoysia lawns to fall fertilizing (Missouri Botanical Garden).
Is zoysia grass right for your lawn?
Zoysia grass suits a sunny to lightly shaded lawn in the South or the transition zone where the owner accepts about seven brown months (mid-October to late May in St. Louis) and slow repair. It is a poor fit for wet soil, alkaline western soils or a yard that needs to recover from daily dog or sports traffic within weeks (K-State MF683; Missouri Botanical Garden).
Where shade is too deep for any lawn grass, NC State rates liriope down to under 2 hours of direct sun; our monkey grass guide compares it with mondo grass.
| If your situation is | Do this | Why (source) |
|---|---|---|
| Soil stays wet or drains poorly | Plant a different grass in that area | K-State says zoysia does not tolerate wet or poorly drained soil (K-State) |
| Soil pH is above 7.0 (western plains) | Expect yellowing; budget iron sprays or choose another grass | Chlorosis on alkaline soil limits zoysia in western Kansas (K-State) |
| Transition zone (Kansas, Missouri, Indiana) | Choose Meyer or Innovation | Meyer had the lowest winter kill in Indiana and Kansas (11.5%); K-State rates Innovation’s cold tolerance equal to Meyer (NTEP; K-State) |
| Florida lawn | Choose Empire or CitraZoy, or Florida-bred Brazos; skip Meyer and Zenith | UF/IFAS does not recommend Meyer or Zenith in Florida (UF/IFAS; Brazos) |
| Partial tree shade | Choose Brazos, Empire or Zeon over Meyer | Shade quality 5.6, 5.1 and 5.0 vs 3.5 for Meyer at College Station (NTEP Table 18) |
| You want to sow seed | Use Zenith or Compadre at 1 to 2 lb pure live seed per 1,000 sq ft when the soil surface reaches 68°F to 72°F | Only Z. japonica is sold as seed (U. of Arkansas) |
| Budget under $100 per 1,000 sq ft and 2 or more seasons to wait | Plug on 6 to 12 in centers from cut sod | $14.53 to $58.13 of sod per 1,000 sq ft at the USDA farm price (worked example above) |
| You need full cover this season | Lay solid sod in late spring | Sod roots in about 2 to 3 weeks (UF/IFAS) |
1Does the area stay wet or drain poorly?
YesPlant a different grass there: zoysia does not tolerate wet soil (K-State).
NoGo to the next question
2Is your soil pH above 7.0?
YesExpect yellowing and iron sprays, or choose another grass (K-State, UF/IFAS).
NoGo to the next question
3Do you need full cover this season?
YesLay solid sod in late spring; it roots in about 2 to 3 weeks (UF/IFAS).
NoGo to the next question
4Do you want to start from seed?
YesSow Zenith or Compadre at 1 to 2 lb pure live seed per 1,000 sq ft when the soil surface reaches 68°F to 72°F (U. of Arkansas).
NoGo to the next question
5Is the lawn in the upper transition zone (Kansas, Missouri, Indiana)?
YesPlug or sod Meyer or Innovation for cold tolerance (NTEP, K-State).
NoGo to the next question
6Is the lawn in Florida?
YesUse Empire, CitraZoy or Florida-bred Brazos; UF/IFAS does not recommend Meyer or Zenith there.
NoPlug a shade-tolerant cultivar such as Brazos, Empire or Zeon on 6 to 12 inch centers and plan on two or more seasons to fill in.
Source: K-State MF683; UF/IFAS LH011; U. of Arkansas MP476; NTEP report 24-12
How we compiled this
We compiled this page from 15 primary documents read in October 2026: extension publications from UF/IFAS, NC State, Clemson, K-State, Texas A&M and the University of Arkansas; the NTEP 2019 National Zoysiagrass Test final report and its data tables; the USDA AMS and NC State sod price reports; a plant patent; and one seed seller’s posted price and label. We also checked two commercial care guides for the comparison table. We did not grow, test or price any grass ourselves. Plug, sprig and fertilizer quantities are our arithmetic from the published rates, shown in the worked tables.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three types of zoysia grass?
The three zoysia species used in U.S. landscapes are Zoysia japonica (Japanese or Korean lawngrass, coarse and the most cold-tolerant), Zoysia matrella (Manilagrass, finer and less hardy) and Zoysia pacifica, also listed as Z. tenuifolia, which is mainly ornamental (UF/IFAS LH011).
Which is better, bermuda or zoysia?
Zoysia is better in partial shade and needs less nitrogen: 2 to 3 lb per 1,000 sq ft a year in north Florida against 3 to 5 for bermudagrass, per UF/IFAS. Bermuda is better for fast establishment and quick recovery from wear, and its sod cost 38.04 cents per sq ft against 52.32 cents for zoysia in mid-2026.
Why is zoysia so hard to grow?
Zoysia is hard to grow mainly because it is slow: plugs take two to four years to close in North Carolina, and gaps fill with weeds in the meantime (NC State). It also browns quickly in drought, recovers slowly from scalping and builds thatch when overfed.
Can zoysia grass be planted from seed?
Yes, but only two cultivars, Zenith and Compadre, are sold as seed. Sow 1 to 2 lb pure live seed per 1,000 sq ft between about May 15 and July 1 in Arkansas, pressed in no deeper than 1/4 inch because the seed needs light (U. of Arkansas MP476).
Why is it so hard to find zoysia grass seed?
Zoysia seed is scarce because seed yields are low, around 100 lb per acre for experimental cultivars, and untreated seed germinates under 10 percent unless chemically scarified (U. of Arkansas MP476). In October 2026, coated Compadre listed at $25.00 a pound in a 50 lb bag at Hancock Seed.
What is the best month to plant zoysia grass?
May is the best month to plug or sprig zoysia in Kansas, within a late-April-to-June window, per K-State. For seed, the University of Arkansas sets May 15 to July 1. Sod can go in later in summer if it has time to root before the first frost.
Does zoysia grass stay green in winter?
No. Zoysia turns brown at the first fall frost and stays dormant until spring; in St. Louis the Missouri Botanical Garden puts dormancy at mid-October to mid or late May. In NTEP winter-color ratings in Alabama and Florida, Brazos held the most color (4.8 of 9) and Meyer the least (2.7).
Which is better, fescue or zoysia?
Tall fescue stays green longer in spring and fall; zoysia handles summer heat and drought better. K-State notes zoysia greens up later in spring than Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue and browns after a hard frost, the trade-off for its summer heat tolerance. Our tall fescue guide covers the cool-season side.
Sources
- UF/IFAS Extension, ENH11/LH011, Zoysiagrass for Florida Lawns, Current EDIS edition. Accessed October 2026.
- NC State Extension, AG-432, Zoysiagrass Lawn Maintenance Calendar, Published July 10, 2025. Accessed October 2026.
- Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center, HGIC 1212, Zoysiagrass, Revised Nov. 15, 2018. Accessed October 2026.
- K-State Research and Extension, MF683, Zoysiagrass in Kansas, Revised March 2025. Accessed October 2026.
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, SCSC-PU-279, Zoysiagrass Lawn Management Guide, September 2025. Accessed October 2026.
- University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension, MP476, Establishing Seeded Zoysiagrass on Lawns and Golf Courses, 2009. Accessed October 2026.
- National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP), 2019 National Zoysiagrass Test, 2019 to 2023 Data, Final Report NTEP No. 24-12, 2020 to 2023 ratings. Accessed October 2026.
- NTEP, 2019 National Zoysiagrass Test, Summary of Turfgrass Quality Ratings, 2020 to 2023, 2020 to 2023 ratings. Accessed October 2026.
- NTEP, 2019 National Zoysiagrass Test, Entries and Sponsors, 2024 list. Accessed October 2026.
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, National Quarterly Sod Report (April 1 to June 30, 2026), Q2 2026, released July 17, 2026. Accessed October 2026.
- NC State Extension, Sod Producers’ Report for North Carolina, 2026, Survey March 2026, published May 1, 2026. Accessed October 2026.
- Missouri Botanical Garden, Lawn Problems: Zoysia Grass, Current page. Accessed October 2026.
- UF/IFAS Extension, ENH19/LH007, Bermudagrass for Florida Lawns, Current EDIS edition. Accessed October 2026.
- UF/IFAS Extension, ENH5/LH010, St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns, Current EDIS edition. Accessed October 2026.
- Hancock Seed, Compadre Zoysia Grass Seed, Coated (product and price page), Price checked Oct. 19, 2026. Accessed October 2026.
- Brazos Zoysiagrass (licensee site), About Brazos, Current page. Accessed October 2026.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office via Google Patents, Plant Patent PP36,415, Zoysiagrass plant named ‘FAES1319’, Granted plant patent. Accessed October 2026.
- Pennington Seed, All You Need to Know About Zoysia Grass, Page as of October 2026. Accessed October 2026.
- Sunday, Zoysia Grass Care Guide, Page as of October 2026. Accessed October 2026.
