Are There Different Types of Zoysia?

Zoysia japonica

• Zoysia japonica is a Meyer type of turf grass. It is also known as Korean or Japanese lawn grass. It is the most cold-hardy of the three types and the coarsest in texture. The Meyer type is the only zoysia that can be grown by seed, but may be propagated by sprigs, sod or plugs.

Zoysia matrella

• Zoysia matrella grows well in moderate shade. For a thick, full mat of grass, use it in lawns with full sun. The blades of the leaves have sharp points and are wiry and narrow. It remains green all year in tropical climates, but in other climates turns brown after several hard frosts, and remains brown until the spring. Zoysia matrella establishes slowly and has to be propagated from sprigs. It is also called Manila grass.

Zoysia tenuifolia

• Zoysia tenuifolia is also known as Mascarene or Korean velvet grass. It has the finest texture of the three types and is the least cold-tolerant.The grass blades are short, very fine and wiry, although it does form a dense, fluffy lawn. It spreads quite slowly and is useful as a ground cover. It may be grown from springs, sod or plugs.

'Emerald' Zoysiagrass

• Emerald zoysiagrass is actually a hybrid of the Zoysia tenuifolia and Zoysia japonica types. It is fine in texture like the Zoysia tenuifolia, but is cold-hardy and establishes itself like the Zoysia japonica type. The appearance is similar to Zoysia matrella.

Mowing Zoysia

• Zoysia looks and thrives best when cut frequently, approximately every 5 to 7 days, and kept at a height of 1 to 2 inches. On golf courses and athletic fields, it keeps its manicured appearance when kept at a height of 1 inch or less.