Zoysiagrass: The Dense, Durable Turf for Southern Lawns

Overview

Slow-growing but extremely thick and durable. Adapted to lower two-thirds of Georgia. Spreads by stolons and rhizomes. Feels spongy underfoot vs. Bermuda's firmness. Often marketed as "miracle" grass (usually Meyer variety).

Key Traits

• Color: Green late spring–fall, golden-brown winter.
• Mowing Height: 1.5 inches.
• Light: Full sun to part sun.

Planting

Lay sod in early summer when soil is warm. Till thoroughly, incorporate lime/fertilizer. Lay in brick pattern, roll for root contact. Alternative: plant 2-inch plugs on 12-inch centers into struggling tall fescue; mow at 2 inches, zoysia chokes out fescue in ~5 years.

Maintenance

• Fertilizer: Less is more. Slow-release N at 50% green-up and midsummer. Excess causes thatch.
• Mowing: Max 1.5 inches—prevents thatch and cold injury.
• Drought: Goes semi-dormant; greens up with rain.
• Green-up: Slowest in spring. Check base for green sprouts if concerned.
• Rust: Common—orange spores on shoes/mower. Contact Extension for control.

Recommended Varieties

• Emerald: Very fine texture, good shade tolerance, less cold tolerant.
• Meyer: Wider leaf, good cold tolerance, less shade tolerance.
• El Toro: Rapid growth, leaf width like Meyer.
• Zenith: Seeded, rapid, dense, light shade tolerance.

Bermuda (lt) vs. zoysia (rt) greenup in Spring.