Zoysia spp.

East and Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 6–11

Overview

Zoysia spp. is a genus of about 11 warm-season grasses in the family Poaceae, native to East and Southeast Asia, Australia, and Pacific islands, and widely used for lawns and turf. The most planted are Z. japonica, Z. matrella, and Z. tenuifolia, along with many hybrids. Plants spread by both stolons and rhizomes to form a dense, low mat of stiff, narrow leaves that range from very narrow to medium in width depending on species. Mowed turf is held at 0.5 to 2 inches (1 to 5 cm), while unmown plants reach 2 to 12 inches (5 to 30 cm) and produce short, spike-like flower clusters in late spring and summer. Zoysia turf tolerates heat, drought, foot traffic, and some salt, and several species take light shade better than other warm-season grasses. Growth is slow, so a new planting from plugs or sprigs can take two to three seasons to knit together. In climates with cold winters the foliage goes dormant and turns tan from first frost until spring, and the dense growth can build thatch and dull mower blades, which are the main drawbacks of the genus.

Native Range

Zoysia spp. is native to East and Southeast Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea, and extends through Southeast Asia to Australia and the islands of the Pacific. The grasses grow naturally in coastal grasslands, dunes, and open ground, often tolerating sandy and salty soils. They have been introduced widely as turf in warm-temperate and subtropical regions.

Suggested Uses

Zoysia spp. is grown as lawn turf, on golf fairways and tees, and for erosion control on slopes and sandy ground in warm regions. Its dense mat resists weeds and foot traffic in play areas and parkways. Slow establishment, winter dormancy in cold climates, and spread into adjacent beds are the trade-offs in choosing it.

How to Identify

Identify Zoysia spp. by a dense, wiry, low-growing turf that spreads by surface runners and underground stems, with stiff, short, pointed leaf blades that often feel prickly underfoot. The leaves roll or fold in dry weather, and many species carry short hairs near the leaf base. Flowering stems hold slender, one-sided spike-like clusters, unlike the open, branched heads of many cool-season lawn grasses.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 1'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs in late spring and summer, broadly May to July, though regular mowing removes most flower stems before they show. Each stem bears a short, narrow, spike-like cluster that sheds wind-borne pollen. Seed set is often poor, and most turf types are propagated from plugs, sprigs, or sod rather than seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Purplish to tan, inconspicuous spikes

Foliage Description

Medium to dark green; tan when dormant

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years to full cover

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Zoysia spp. grows in full sun to light shade on well-drained soil across a pH range of about 5.5 to 7.5, tolerating sand, loam, and clay. Established turf is drought-tolerant and needs less water and feeding than many lawn grasses, though it greens up slowly after dry spells. New plantings from plugs or sprigs are kept moist until they spread and may take two to three seasons for full cover. In cold-winter areas the turf browns with frost and regreens in late spring. Periodic dethatching keeps the dense mat healthy, and mowing is easier with a sharp blade because the stiff leaves resist cutting.

Pruning

Mowing replaces pruning for Zoysia spp. turf, kept at about 0.5 to 2 inches (1 to 5 cm) through the growing season with a sharp blade. Dethatching or light vertical mowing every few years removes built-up thatch. Edges are trimmed regularly, since the vigorous runners spread into beds and walkways.