Zoysia lawns are prized for their durability and low maintenance. Using Zoysia grass seed produces a turf that thrives in heat and resists drought. This warm-season grass forms a dense, carpet-like lawn with fine to medium blades that crowd out weeds. Zoysia is slow-growing (often requiring sod or plugs), but modern seed products like Scotts® Turf Builder Zoysia Grass Seed & Mulch make seeding practical.
We’ll cover top Zoysia grass seed varieties (Emerald, Zeon®, Zenith®), planting and care tips, and where to buy quality seed. Whether you’re overseeding a patch or planting a new lawn, this guide helps you sow and nurture Zoysia for a lush, green lawn.
Why Choose Zoysia Grass?
Zoysia grass offers several advantages for homeowners:
- Heat & Drought Tolerant: Zoysia is a warm-season grass that “can withstand drought, heat, and cold”. It thrives in Southern and transitional climates, requiring only about 1 inch of water per week once established.
- Thick, Weed-Resistant Turf: Its slow-spreading habit and dense growth smothers weeds. Zoysia “stops erosion on slopes and repels weeds” and resists many pests and diseases theturfgrassgroup.com.
- Traffic Tolerance: Zoysia blades grow densely and can handle heavy foot traffic and play, making it ideal for yards and high-use areas
- Low Maintenance: Once established, Zoysia requires minimal fertilization and mowing. For example, studies note that Zoysia lawns often need less fertilizer than common turfgrasses like St. Augustine. Mow at only 1–2 inches high, and you can leave clippings on the lawn as it thatches slowly.
- Shades Well (Some Varieties): While Zoysia loves full sun (8+ hours daily), improved varieties like Zeon® and Emerald™ tolerate partial shadetheturfgrassgroup.com. This expands planting options under light tree cover.
- Year-Round Appeal: Zoysia turns brown and goes dormant in winter, but recovers to deep green in spring and stays vibrant through fall. (In very cold zones, consider overseeding with a cool-season grass for winter color.)
These traits make Zoysia a top pick for a low-care, attractive lawn. For best results, pair the right cultivar with proper care and quality seed.
Popular Zoysia Grass Seed Varieties
Several Zoysia cultivars are sold as seed. Key ones include:
Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed
Pennington’s Zenith® Zoysia is unique: it’s the only Zoysia available as seed or sod. Zenith produces a dark green, medium-coarse turf that adapts to sun or light shade. It is highly durable, standing up to extreme heat, cold, and even drought (goes brown when dry and revives with water). Key facts about Zenith Zoysia seed:
- Coverage: A 2 lb bag covers about 2,000 sq ft (6 lb covers 6,000 sq ft). Pennington sells 5 lb bags (cover ~1000 sq ft).
- Planting: Sow in late spring or early summer (about 70°F soil). Planting depth ~¼ inch. Apply starter fertilizer and press seed lightly into the soil.
- Growth: Germination in about 30 days. Keep soil moist until seedlings reach ~2 inches tall. Mow at 1–2 inches once established.
- Adaptability: Thrives in full sun (8+ hrs) and tolerates some shade. Good traffic tolerance and excellent disease resistance.
- Care: Once established, it greens up earlier in spring and stays green later in fall compared to ordinary Zoysia.
Pennington emphasizes using fresh seed (buy close to planting time) for best germination.
Zeon Zoysia Grass Seed
Zeon® Zoysia is a premium, fine-textured grass (sometimes called “barefoot grass” for its soft feel)theturfgrassgroup.com. It’s a hybrid of Z. japonica × Z. matrella, yielding very dense, bright green turftheturfgrassgroup.com. Zeon’s characteristics include:
- Shade Tolerance: Excellent shade performance – up to ~50% shade – better than most warm-season grassestheturfgrassgroup.com.
- Drought Resistance: Deep roots make it highly drought-tolerant; it survives dry periods with minimal wateringtheturfgrassgroup.com.
- Soft Texture: Leaves are thin and silky, giving a luxurious lawn feeltheturfgrassgroup.com.
- Low Maintenance: Requires less watering, fertilization, and mowing than coarser Zoysiastheturfgrassgroup.com.
- Resilience: Naturally resistant to many pests and diseasestheturfgrassgroup.com.
Zeon can be installed as sod for instant coverage or seeded. Zeon Zoysia grass seed is more cost-effective but slower to establish: seedlings need patience (seedling lawn vs instant sod)theturfgrassgroup.com. Both options work; use a starter fertilizer and keep moist until established.
Emerald Zoysia Grass Seed
Emerald Zoysia is a well-known hybrid (Z. japonica × Z. tenuior) prized for an ultra-fine, carpet-like lawn. Key points:
- Appearance: Emerald has fine, soft blades and very dense growth. It stays a deep emerald green with a rich, lawn-golf-course look.
- Tolerance: It handles heat and drought well; drought resistance is “outstanding”. It also tolerates partial shade better than many grasses.
- Germination: Slower than Zenith (up to 3–4 weeks), so sow early summer.
Garden suppliers sell Emerald Zoysia seed in small packs (e.g. 1/8 lb for ~50–100 sq ft). Each pack is fresh-sealed; follow pack instructions (plant ¼″ deep, keep soil moist). Because of its fine growth, Emerald prefers full sun or light shade and moderate water.
Planting Zoysia Grass Seed
To plant Zoysia grass seed, follow these steps:
- Soil Preparation: Test your soil a month before planting. Aim for pH ~6.0–6.5 (slightly acidic). Amend clay soils with sand or organic matter to improve drainage. Rake the area smooth and remove weeds or debris.
- Timing: Sow seed in late spring to early summer when daily highs are in the 70s°F. This allows about 60 days of warm weather for germination. You can also sow in early fall, but be sure to finish at least two months before the first frost.
- Seeding: Broadcast seed evenly at the recommended rate (about 5 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for new lawns). For small areas, hand-seed at 0.5–1.0 oz/100 ft². Work the seed into the top ¼″ of soil by lightly raking or rolling. Avoid burying seed too deep – Zoysia seed needs sunlight to germinate, so do not cover seed with thick soil or straw.
- Fertilizer & Mulch: Apply a high-phosphorus starter fertilizer at planting (e.g. 10-20-10) to give seedlings nutrients. Some products mix seed with mulch/fertilizer (e.g. Scotts Zoysia Seed & Mulch) for easy use. Keep soil surface covered: a light layer of mulch or straw (the thinnest possible) can help moisture, but avoid smothering the seed.
- Watering: Water gently and frequently. Keep the seed bed moist (like a damp sponge) until sprouts appear. Water daily (light mist) during the first 14–21 days. Once seedlings emerge, water deeply ~1″ per week to encourage deep roots. (After establishment, Zoysia only needs ~1″ per week.)
- Maintenance: Germination usually takes about 2–3 weeks. After seedlings reach ~2″ tall, mow for the first time at about 1–2″ height. Keep mower blades sharp to avoid tearing. Continue watering deeply 1–2 times per week as weather demands, and apply a light fertilizer schedule (see below).
By mid-summer (~6–8 weeks), you should have a uniform, thick lawn. If there are thin patches after a month, reseed them early. Also, remove any weed seedlings quickly before the Zoysia fills in. With patience and consistent moisture, Zoysia grass seed will establish a tough, green lawn.
Where to Buy Zoysia Grass Seed
You can find Zoysia grass seed at garden centers, lawn-care stores, and online retailers. Many big-box stores carry popular seed blends and brands. For example, The Home Depot stocks Scotts and Pennington Zoysia products. Their inventory includes:
- Scotts Turf Builder Zoysia Grass Seed & Mulch (5 lb) – contains Zoysia seed with soil and mulch to help germination.
- Pennington Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed & Mulch (5 lb) – a bundle with Zenith seed and mulch.
- Pennington Smart Patch Zoysia Seed & Fertilizer combo – two 5-lb bags (basic seed/mulch and Zenith blend) for patching large spots.
- Stover Seed Zoysia Grass Seed (1 lb) – a 100% Zoysia seed option.
Smaller packs of Emerald or Zeon seed may be found online (specialty seed suppliers or Amazon). When buying seed, check the bag for cultivar name, germination rate (ideally 75–90%), and purity. Fresh seed is important: one seller advises purchasing seed “closer to planting time” for best results.
Look for Zoysia grass seed sales in spring and early summer. Some retailers bundle seed with fertilizer or offer bulk discounts. Always verify the package label and recommended planting zones (e.g. Zenith is suited for USDA zones 6–10).
Figure: Automatic sprinkler irrigating a lush Zoysia grass lawn. In well-drained soil, Zoysia grass establishes with regular deep watering. After initial germination, water about 1″ per week (versus daily) to encourage strong roots.
Fertilizing and Care
Once established, a Zoysia lawn needs relatively low maintenance, but these tips will keep it looking best:
- Fertilizer: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring after green-up. Experts recommend high nitrogen early: e.g. Scotts GreenMax™ 27-0-2 in spring for rapid greening. Mid-season, use a balanced lawn food (e.g. 16-4-8). Some suggest a higher-potassium feed in summer, and low-nitrogen in fall to harden off. Avoid fertilizing after late summer. Milorganite (6-4-0) is also a good organic N source.
- Mowing: Set mower height at 1–2 inches. Because Zoysia grows slowly, mow infrequently – about once every 2 weeks in active season. Always sharpen blades, as Zoysia’s coarse blades dull mowers quickly.
- Weed Control: A dense Zoysia turf normally chokes out weeds. For any broadleaf weeds or grassy weeds, apply appropriate herbicides in spring or fall after the grass has filled in.
- Aeration/Dethatch: Zoysia thatch builds slowly. Aerate only if water isn’t penetrating. Scarification (thatch removal) is rarely needed – Zoysia’s tight turf naturally resists thatch.
- Dormancy: In winter (or when below ~50°F nights), Zoysia will turn brown. This is normal. Some homeowners overseed with a cool-season grass (tall fescue or rye) in fall for winter green, especially in cooler climates.
In summary, feed lightly and only during the growing season, water sparingly (deep), and mow high. A well-fed Zoysia lawn will remain lush and resilient, rewarding your low-maintenance approach.
FAQs
- Q: What is the best time to plant Zoysia grass seed?
A: Late spring or early summer is ideal (soil ~70°F). You can also plant in early fall, provided there are at least ~60 days before the first frost. Avoid sowing in winter or when temperatures drop below 60°F. - Q: How long does Zoysia seed take to germinate?
A: Typically 2–3 weeks under good conditions. Zenith (Meyer) may take closer to 30 days. Keep the seed moist; germination fails if the soil dries or is covered. - Q: Can I plant Zoysia seed in shade?
A: Standard Zoysia needs 6–8 hrs sun, but shade-tolerant types like Zeon will grow with ~4–6 hours of filtered lighttheturfgrassgroup.com. If you have heavy shade, choose a mix labeled for “Sun & Shade.” Even shade varieties do best with at least morning sun. - Q: Where can I buy Zoysia grass seed on sale?
A: Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s carry Zoysia seed (Pennington, Scotts) in spring. Garden centers and online seed retailers also sell varieties like Emerald and Zeon. Look for seasonal discounts (often around spring) on grass seed. - Q: Why is Zoysia seed more expensive than other grass seed?
A: Zoysia seeds are small and slow to harvest, making them pricier. Improved cultivars like Zenith and Zeon are even costlier to breed. However, Zoysia’s long-term benefits (low maintenance, infrequent watering) often justify the cost. Buying in larger bags or during promotions can reduce the per-pound price. - Q: How do I use Zoysia grass seed spray (hydroseeding)?
A: Commercial hydroseeding services can spray Zoysia seed mixed with mulch and fertilizer over large areas. This is cost-effective for large lawns and helps control erosion. If contracting hydroseeding, make sure the seed mix is specifically for Zoysia (often Zenith or Zeon seed is used). - Q: What is the difference between Zeon, Zenith, and Emerald Zoysia?
A: All are warm-season Zoysia cultivars: Zeon has the finest texture and best shade tolerancetheturfgrassgroup.com. Zenith (Meyer) is moderate texture, very hardy and cold-tolerant. Emerald is ultra-fine and deep-green (excellent appearance) but slightly less cold-hardy. Choose based on your climate and desired lawn feel.
We hope this guide helps you grow a resilient, green Zoysia lawn. Have you tried Zoysia grass seed in your yard? Share your experience in the comments below and share this article with fellow gardeners to spread the knowledge!