Will Zoysia Grass Sod Spread?

Spreading Habits

• The Alabama Cooperative Extension System website says zoysia spreads approximately 6 inches a year. Different varieties of zoysia grasses have different rates of establishment and growth. When zoysia grass spreads out, it overtakes any other grasses in the area. It will also spread to places it is not desired such as a garden or neighbor's lawn. Zoysia spreads itself with both stolons and rhizomes. Stolons grow above ground, while rhizomes grow beneath the ground surface

Advantages

• Zoysia forms a thick mat that has plenty of cushion and makes for a good play area. Other than in the winter when it turns brown during dormancy, zoysia also has an eye-catching appearance with its deep green color in the warmer months. Zoysia grass grows especially well during the hot summer months when other grasses might struggle. Its thick turf is good at choking off weeds and crabgrass. Zoysia has the ability to grow in different types of soil. It is generally resistant to drought conditions because of its deep roots.

Disadvantages

• Zoysia is a very difficult grass to remove because of its deep roots. Do not plant zoysia grass in your lawn unless you intend to leave it there for an extended amount of time. When a lawn is damaged, it takes a while for it to repair itself because of zoysia's slow growth rate. Although it is a durable grass, it's slow repair rate means it is not a common choice for sports fields. As a general rule, zoysia does not do well in areas that receive shade. Zoysia, therefore, might not be a good choice for a lawn with a lot of trees. Once the weather turns cold, zoysia turns to a straw brown color that many find unattractive. It will not turn green again until the weather warms up.

Other Considerations

• Zoysia is one of the most cold hardy of all the warm-weather grasses. This means it can also grow in transitional and some northern states. Make sure zoysia is the right grass for your part of the country before establishing it from sod. Zoysia is less vulnerable to diseases than the majority of other turf grasses. When zoysia is dry and in a dormant state, it can be a fire hazard if it's near buildings made of wood. Because it forms a thick turf, dethatching a zoysia lawn may be required over time.