Zoysia
Zoysia species
A slow-growing, dense warm-season grass with stiff leaves. It needs less mowing than other warm-season grasses, but also recovers from damage more slowly.
Also called: Zoysia japonica, Zoysia matrella, Empire, Sir Grange, Nara
- Type
- Warm-season grass
- Shade tolerance
- Low
- Wear tolerance
- Medium
- Drought tolerance
- Medium
- Maintenance
- Low
Short answer
Zoysia is a slow-growing, dense warm-season grass with stiff leaves. It needs less mowing and feeding than other warm-season lawns, but it also recovers from damage more slowly. It needs 5 to 6 hours of sunlight a day and slows down and can lose colour over winter.
Overview
Zoysia suits people who want a dense, good-looking lawn without mowing every few days. It grows slowly, needs less feeding and edging, and forms a thick mat that resists weeds once established.
Slow growth cuts both ways: bare patches and wear take longer to fill in, so it’s less suited to very heavy use. Varieties differ a lot in leaf width and shade tolerance, so ask your turf supplier about the variety you’re buying. [CONFIRM: reviewer to confirm climate suitability ratings]
How to identify zoysia
- Leaves
- Narrow to medium leaves that feel stiff and slightly prickly at the tips; varieties range from fine to medium.
- Colour
- Mid to dark green.
- Growth
- Dense and slow-growing, spreading by runners above and below ground.
- Feel
- Firm and dense, springy underfoot.
Climate suitability
| Climate zone | Suitability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical | Suited | |
| Subtropical | Well suited | |
| Warm temperate | Well suited | |
| Temperate | Suited | Dormant and slow over winter. |
| Cool and highland (including Tasmania) | Marginal | |
| Arid and inland | Suited | With reliable watering. |
Sun and shade: Low shade tolerance
The Turf Growers Association of WA lists zoysia as needing 5 to 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Wear: Medium
Described by the Turf Growers Association of WA as having moderate to good wear and good recovery. Its slow growth means damage takes longer to fill in.
Drought: Medium
Described as drought tolerant by the Turf Growers Association of WA.
Maintenance: Low
Slow growth means less mowing and less edging than couch or kikuyu.
Mowing heights by season
| Season | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 15–20 mm | Western Australian figures from the Turf Growers Association of WA. |
| Winter | 15–20 mm | TGAWA gives a similar height in winter. |
[CONFIRM: reviewer to confirm LawnMan's recommended mowing range for zoysia outside WA]
Feeding and watering
Fertilising
Zoysia needs less feeding than other warm-season grasses. Feed lightly in the growing season at the label rate.
Watering
Water deeply and less often once established, within your local water rules.
Common weeds, pests and diseases in zoysia
Popular questions about zoysia
Guides
- application guideHow to apply granular lawn fertiliser
- application guideHow to apply lawn grub and armyworm treatments
- application guideApplying liquid fertiliser
- application guideApplying pre-emergent herbicide
- application guideHow to apply a lawn wetting agent
- GuideGrowing grass in shade: what works, what doesn't and what to do instead
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Who wrote this, and what it's based on
This page hasn't been reviewed by our technical reviewer yet [CONFIRM: reviewer]. Until it is, it isn't listed in search engines. How we write and review
Sources
- Turf varieties, Turf Growers Association of Western AustraliaZoysia: sunlight, wear, drought and mowing heights. Accessed 3 October 2026.