Zoysiagrass Varieties Compared: Leaf Texture, Shade Tolerance, and Cold Hardiness

Choosing the right zoysia cultivar makes the difference between a thriving lawn and a struggle. Dr. Clint Waltz (UGA) breaks down the key differences.

Common Cultivars

• ‘Emerald’: Finest leaf, least cold-tolerant, poor in shade (<6 hrs filtered light).
• ‘Meyer’: Wider leaf, good cold tolerance, full sun to light shade.
• ‘El Toro’: Rapid growth, medium-coarse leaf, similar to Meyer.
• ‘Zenith’: Seed or sod, rapid, dense, light shade tolerant, slightly wider than Meyer.
• ‘Compadre’ (Companion): Seed or sod, rapid, dense, light shade tolerant, slightly wider than Meyer.

Best for Shade (per Waltz)

• El Toro (medium-coarse)
• JaMur (medium-coarse)
• Zeon (fine)
• Zorro (fine)

All four are commercially available in Georgia. Avoid ‘Emerald’ for shaded sites.