Zoysia Grass
Zoysia japonica · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass with good transition zone adaptability
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Fairways/Tees
Variety / Cultivar
Meyer (Z-52) or 'El Toro', known for aggressive spreading and cold tolerance relative to other zoysia grasses
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 10, excellent cold tolerance for a warm-season grass, tolerates the transition zone well, and goes completely dormant and straw-colored during winter frosts
About This Grass
Forms a dense, stiff turf with a medium-fine texture and light to medium green color that turns golden-brown upon entering winter dormancy. Unmowed height can reach 6 to 12 inches, but typically maintained low at 1 to 2.5 inches
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-width (2-3mm), stiff, flat to slightly rolled, with pointed tips, prominent veins, folded vernation, a fringe of hairs for a ligule, and no auricles
Root System
Deep, fibrous, and aggressive root system with extensive rhizomes and stolons; moderate to high thatch-forming tendency; establishes slowly from seed but forms a dense, tough sod once mature
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to coastal China, Japan, and Southeast Asia; widely cultivated in warm-temperate and transition zones globally
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and rhizomatous, forms an extremely dense, carpet-like mat and spreads moderately fast via creeping above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal performance (minimum 6-8 hours) but exhibits better partial shade tolerance than most warm-season grasses. Moderate water needs, highly drought-tolerant by entering dormancy during severe dry spells. Prefers well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 1.0 to 2.5 inches using a sharp rotary or reel mower due to the stiff leaf blades. Medium maintenance level requiring 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually, periodic dethatching due to dense thatch buildup, and core aeration
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance once established, recovers well from traffic, good resistance to most common turf diseases and insects, moderate salt tolerance, and forms such a dense turf that it effectively crowds out weeds
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to dense root mat, filters runoff effectively, and is commonly used in residential lawns, commercial landscapes, and golf courses