How to Plant Zoysia Grass: 5 Tips for Growing Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass is a warm-season turfgrass with a light-green color that is popular for commercial and home lawns. Though the grass thrives in temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, it will enter dormancy when temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal in places with long warm seasons and short, mild winters.

Unlike other warm-season grasses, zoysia can survive winter temperatures and come back from dormancy to continue growing in the spring. Zoysia grass is also very hardy—it can handle heavy foot traffic, is tolerant of drought and part shade, and grows dense and thick with a stolon-based root system, which outcompetes many weeds.

There are three species of zoysia grass:

1. 1. Zoysia japonica. The most widely available species of zoysia grass, Zoysia japonica (also called Japanese lawn grass or Korean lawn grass), has the highest cold and drought tolerance and is also the fastest-growing. Varieties include El Toro, Meyer, and Zenith zoysia, which is the only cultivar that can be bought as zoysia grass seed rather than sod or plugs.
2. 2. Zoysia matrella. Also called Manila grass, this species has finer leaves and a denser look than japonica and tenuifolia. Zoysia matrella, which is higher maintenance than Zoysia japonica, is less cold tolerant and a slower grower. Varieties include Diamond and Zeon.
3. 3. Zoysia tenuifolia. Also called Korean velvet grass, Zoysia tenuifolia has a soft, fine texture and tends to grow in clumps or mounds rather than a smooth lawn formation. Its growth habit makes it less popular as a lawn grass type and more suitable as a small ornamental plant. The most common variety is Emerald zoysia.

While you can plant zoysia grass in many different ways, sod is the most strongly recommended option. Zoysia grass plugs, sprigs, and seeding can often take over a year to fully establish and require full sun and strict weeding to grow and fill in.

1. 1. Choose the planting site. Zoysia grass does best in full sun and will root fastest with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. However, established zoysia grass has moderate shade tolerance and will grow (albeit slowly) in lightly shaded areas beneath trees or shrubs.
2. 2. Prepare the planting site. Remove any rocks, existing grass or weeds, or debris from the area. If the soil is very compacted, use a tiller to loosen it and increase aeration. Then, pass over the area with a garden rake to even out the bare soil and avoid mounds or low areas in your lawn.
3. 3. Amend the soil. Once the site is prepared, amend the soil surface with one inch of compost or with organic fertilizer, according to the package’s instructions. Perform a soil test to ensure your soil pH is around 6.5 and has moderate nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and iron levels.
4. 4. Roll out your sod. The best time to plant zoysia grass is during active growth since it will establish itself faster. Experts recommend planting zoysia grass when temperatures in your area stay above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, usually late spring or early summer. Once it’s time to plant your zoysia grass, roll out each rectangle of sod and place them in a brick-like pattern, with the edges of each piece tucked tightly against the others.
5. 5. Water thoroughly. Immediately after laying the sod, water your zoysia lawn thoroughly to help ensure soil contact with the grass. Seed-to-soil contact helps the seed receive water from the soil so that it can properly germinate.
6. 6. Nurture until the roots form. Sod usually takes between two and three weeks to firmly root. During this time, the grass is vulnerable and should be treated with special care. While your new lawn is taking root, water it twice daily with one-quarter inch of water, and avoid walking on the grass or trampling it down in any way.

Zoysia lawns are relatively low-maintenance compared to other lawn types and usually require only basic care:

1. 1. Water regularly. Zoysia grass is drought tolerant but will begin to yellow if not adequately watered. In general, one inch of water per week is enough to keep zoysia grass green and healthy. If you forget to water your zoysia grass and it begins to yellow, simply water it as usual, and it should begin to get more green.
2. 2. Mow once weekly. Zoysia grass does best when mowed down to around two inches in mowing height, which usually means mowing it about once a week during the growing season. There is no need to remove lawn clippings from the grass after mowing—clippings naturally break down quickly and won’t contribute to dense thatch layers.
3. 3. Fertilize regularly. As with most turfgrasses, zoysia grass does best when routinely fertilized with a 1-2-1 fertilizer (the ratio refers to its nutrient mix) throughout the growing season. For best results, follow a fertilization schedule that applies nutrients three to five times during the growing season, from late spring to late summer. Avoid fertilizing in early spring when the grass is just starting to return from dormancy, which can encourage premature green-up.
4. 4. Dethatch annually. Lawn grasses trap organic matter near the soil level and slowly build up a layer called “thatch.” Small layers of thatch—around half an inch—can be beneficial to your lawn, insulating the soil as a natural mulch to conserve moisture and maintain consistent temperatures. But when the thatch buildup accumulates over an inch thick, it can prevent water and new roots from reaching the soil and cause your lawn to suffer. For a healthy lawn, dethatch your zoysia grass every year or two in late spring, using a dethatching rake or vertical mower.
5. 5. Monitor for pests and diseases. Zoysia grass lawns aren’t especially vulnerable to pests but can become targets for chinch bugs or hunting billbugs. If you notice your zoysia grass is breaking at the rhizome or riddled with uneven bite marks, you may need to apply a natural insecticide. The major disease that can affect zoysia grass is called “large patch” or “large brown patch,” which results in wide swatches of discoloration. To prevent this fungal disease from forming, avoid watering in the evening and keep the thatch layer around a half-inch.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.