Benefits of Zoysia Grass

Drought Resistance

Zoysia grass benefits from a deep root system, which makes it highly drought resistant. If you want to plant grass that needs little irrigation – especially in the drier climates – zoysia is the best choice.

Wear Resistance

If you have a family that loves to play sports, zoysia grass is an excellent choice. Its turf is thick and tough, meaning it can withstand heavy traffic from your kids and their friends. In fact, zoysia grass has been used on golf courses for decades because of its wear resistance. It’s also a popular choice for parks, playgrounds, soccer fields and other athletic venues. If you like the idea of playing catch or kicking around a soccer ball with your family in the backyard, consider planting zoysia grass — it’s just as durable as any of these commercial sites but is customized to your own personal lawn!

Thatch Reduction

Thatch reduction is perhaps the most sought after benefit of Zoysia grass. A thatch layer develops when a turfgrass plant produces more organic matter than naturally decomposes in place. Thatch buildup impedes the ability of the roots to absorb water and nutrients, inhibits good surface drainage, reduces the amount of oxygen available to roots, harbors insects and diseases, and makes it difficult for new grass seedlings to grow. Many other turfgrasses produce heavy thatch layers. Zoysia grass grows slowly and doesn’t produce very much thatch; as a result, it requires less vigorous dethatching programs than other warm-season turfgrasses.

Superior Fall Color

Unlike cool-season grasses, Zoysia is a warm-season grass, which means it remains green in summer and dormant through winter. It has a rich green color, a soft texture, and thrives in high traffic areas. In the South, Zoysia grows well during the summer months when most other turfgrasses are dormant or stressed. The primary benefit of zoysia includes its superior fall color.

Shade Tolerance

Zoysia grass does not need a lot of water or fertilizer to thrive. It tolerates full sun well, but it also does very well in partial shade. Zoysia grass helps prevent weeds and pests from taking over your lawn.

It may seem like the perfect option for you if you want a beautiful lawn that does not require lots of maintenance or mowing compared to other types of grasses. However, zoysia grass may be more difficult to establish than other common turfgrasses used in South Carolina landscapes, such as centipede or St. Augustinegrass.

Heat Tolerance & Cold Hardiness

Zoysia grass is a warm season grass, so it goes dormant in the winter months. The good news is that zoysia can withstand very hot temperatures and can tolerate cold temperatures. Although zoysia cannot tolerate freezing temperatures like bluegrass or fescue, zoysia can recover from cold damage much quicker than other grasses once the temperature warms up.

Pest Tolerance

Do you have a problem with pests on your lawn? Many homeowners do. If you’ve been struggling with sod webworms, grubs and other bugs eating your lawn, zoysia grass may be the answer for you.

Zoysia grass is known for its resistance to insect damage. This pest-resistant characteristic is due to its thick, waxy leaf coating. Zoysia grasses are tough lawns that tolerate drought and sun better than most other grasses.

But remember — nothing is completely pest proof! You can help prevent pests from damaging your lawn with proper maintenance of your yard: remove any excess thatch build up, apply fertilizer correctly (over fertilizing and under fertilizing can both cause problems), and mow at the right height (zoysia should be mowed at 2 to 3 inches).

Zoysia grass is a great choice for Southern lawns that experience heavy use and extreme weather conditions.

The many benefits of zoysia grass are not to be ignored. A great choice for Southern lawns that experience heavy use and extreme weather conditions, zoysia can survive extended periods of drought, as well as being able to withstand cold winters. Zoysia grass is thick and lush, allowing it to crowd out the growth of pesky weeds that have the potential to take over your space. It grows slowly too, which means you won’t find yourself mowing your lawn every other day in order to keep it looking trim and tidy.