Zoysia grass Cultivation

Cultivation

Zoysia grass can be grown from seed or sod. The seeds are slow to germinate, so it is better to grow zoysia grass from sod. Sod can be purchased from a local garden center and should be planted in the spring or fall.

Adapted species

Zoysia species are found in Asia, Australia and various islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. About five species are native to China. The adaptable genus is represented by a number of turf grasses including:

• Zoysia japonica – Korean lawngrass
• Zoysia matrella – Manilagrass
• Zoysia sinica – Chinese lawngrass, also known as Amagi grass
• Zoysia macrantha – Mascarenegrass
• Zoysia tenuifolia – Velvet grass or Manila grass
• Zoysia pacifica – Oceanic silvergrass or Pacific coast jointgrass
• Zoysia macrostachya

Cultivars

Zoysia is a genus of creeping grasses widespread across much of Asia and Australia, as well as various islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Zoysia species are found in coastal beaches and dunes, dry grasslands, and open woodlands. They are characterized by their dense foliage from which arises a very deep root system that can reach as much as 6 ft (1.8 m) in depth.

In horticulture they are valued for their use as lawn grasses, where they have been introduced to temperate climate regions beyond their natural range. The fact that they grow well in temperate climates is an example of convergent evolution.

The zoysia grass grows in the sun and the shade.

Zoysia grass grows best in full sun, so when planting your zoysia grass, choose an area of the lawn that gets plenty of sunlight. In saying this, the zoysia is a warm-season grass, meaning it can withstand the sun’s heat better than most other species of grass.

The zoysia also grows well in some shade but be aware that if there’s too much shade then you might see thinning and some discoloration which will lead to brown patches or even bare spots in your lawn.