Grasses

Zoysia japonica

Zoysia Grass

Poaceae
Japan / China / Korea (Z. japonica; most drought/wear-tolerant lawn; dense carpet; stolons+rhizomes; extremely slow establishment; wiry; z6-9; lowest-input turf)

At a Glance

TypeGrass
HabitSpreading
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 inches (10-20 cm) unmowed; 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) mowed
WidthIndefinite via stolons and rhizomes
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9
Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Drought Tolerant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Zoysia japonica is a warm-season perennial grass reaching 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall (unmowed) with an aggressive, indefinite spread via both stolons and rhizomes and a dense, carpet-like turf habit. Native to Japan, China, and Korea, it forms a thick, wiry, medium-textured, dark green lawn with stiff blades 2-4 mm wide that create an extremely dense turf—so dense it resists weed invasion and foot traffic. Maintained at mowing heights of 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm). Established by sod, plugs, sprigs, or seed (seed is slow—60-90 days germination). Extremely slow to establish—2-3 growing seasons for full coverage from plugs. The most drought-tolerant and wear-tolerant of common warm-season grasses. Transitions to tan-brown winter dormancy below 55°F (13°C)—dormant period is longer than bermudagrass.

Native Range

Zoysia japonica is native to Japan, China, and Korea.

Suggested Uses

Used in home lawns, golf courses (fairways, tees), and commercial landscapes in the transition zone and warm-season regions. Most drought-tolerant and wear-tolerant lawn grass. Dense carpet resists weeds. Low fertilizer and water needs—lowest-input warm-season turf. Z6-9. Moderate shade tolerance. Not suitable for quick establishment (2-3 years from plugs). Long winter dormancy (brown). Extremely slow recovery from damage. Wiry—requires reel mower or frequent sharpening.

How to Identify

Distinguished from St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) by the finer texture (2-4 versus 4-8 mm blades), both stolons and rhizomes (versus stolons only), the greater cold tolerance (z6-9 versus z8-10), and the greater drought/wear tolerance. Distinguished from bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) by the wider blades, the slower growth, the greater shade tolerance, and the longer winter dormancy. Zoysia—dense carpet, stolons+rhizomes, most drought/wear-tolerant, extremely slow to establish, wiry stiff, z6-9.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1" - 8"
Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Summer
Short, slender, spike-like inflorescences in late spring to summer if unmowed. Generally inconspicuous. Seed available but very slow to germinate (60-90 days).

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Green; slender spike-like; inconspicuous; summer if unmowed

Foliage Description

Dark green; wiry stiff medium blades 2-4 mm; extremely dense

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 4-10 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 Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 growing seasons from plugs for full coverage; 60-90 days seed germination

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Establish by sod (fastest), plugs (12-inch spacing, 2-3 years to fill), sprigs, or seed (slowest—60-90 days germination). Plant in late spring to summer when warm. Full sun to moderate shade (4-6 hours). Well-drained soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Mow at 1-2 inches with a reel mower for best appearance. Water 0.5-1 inch per week—most drought-tolerant lawn grass. Low nitrogen—1-2 lb per 1,000 sq ft per year. Warm-season—browns in winter dormancy. Extremely slow to establish. Builds thatch—dethatch or verticut as needed.

Pruning

Mow at 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) with a reel mower. Wiry blades dull rotary mowers quickly. Never remove more than one-third of blade height. Dethatch as needed—dense growth builds thatch.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic