The Disadvantages of Zoysia

Zoysiagrass

• An Oriental native, zoysiagrass came into the United States before 1895. In the 1950s it became a viable lawn cover. The varieties of zoysiagrass vary widely from one to the other in growing conditions and appearance, from the bright green, cold tolerant Meyers zoysia (Zoysia japonica 'Meyer') to the hairy, coarse Japanese grass (Zoysia japonica) that grows relatively fast.

Establishing Zoysiagrass

• Creating a zoysiagrass lawn cover requires time and energy. Since planting seeds is impractical and seeds often unavailable, vegetative propagation through stolons or sod plugs is the only way to grow a lawn of zoysiagrass. With a spread of a mere 6 inches per year, according to Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the actual establishment takes 2 to 3 years. As a result, if the lawn experiences heavy use or incurs damage, recovery time takes longer.

Winter Disadvantages

• Winter is a tough season for zoysiagrass to weather. Beginning in mid-October, it turns brown and remains brown and dormant until mid-May. This browning of the turf makes winter weeds like wild garlic and wild onion even more noticeable as they bob above the turf. In addition to its already low tolerance of shaded areas, icy weather can kill zoysiagrass growing in those areas. The extreme dryness of winter dormant zoysiagrass makes it very flammable, creating a fire hazard, especially where grown tall around wooden buildings.

Thatch

• Thatch, the build up of living and dead plant tissue, spreads at the soil's surface beneath zoysiagrass, according to the Maryland Cooperative Extension. This distinctive layer, often a result of improper maintenance and too much nitrogen, reduces the resilience of the zoysiagrass. Thatch also inhibits water flow into the ground and provides a haven for pests and pathogens. A power rake or verticutter used in early summer can remove excess thatch when it exceeds half an inch in depth. Mowing close to the ground in early spring and aerating the grass helps to prevent thatch from building up.