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Zeon Zoysia Sun Requirements

Sometimes called Manila grass, the sprawling turf grass species Zoysia matrella grows slowly and develops a deep root system that makes it quite drought tolerant. Zoysia grasses are warm-season plants, going dormant and turning beige in the coolness of fall to spring and then greening up in the heat of summer. Cultivar Zeon is a fine-textured form of zoysia grass that doesn't produce much thatch and ranks higher in overall quality compared to American standard cultivars of Meyer and Emerald, according to the University of Georgia. Zeon is also marketed as being more shade tolerant than most other zoysia grasses.
  1. Light Conditions

    • Zeon zoysia grass grows successfully in full sun to "light or moderate shade," according to the North Carolina Crop Improvement Association. The apprehension arises in qualifying what light to moderate shade means in producing a lush, healthy carpet of zoysia grass. Zeon clearly demonstrates a better tolerance to shade than most other zoysia grass varieties, but it does not mean Zeon should be planted in shady conditions.

    Sunlight Amounts

    • In the southernmost United States, where winters are milder and sunlight intensity stronger, zoysia grass may grow well in moderate shade. That means all-day sun -- more than 10 hours exposure -- to a bright, partially sunny to partially shaded location can be used. Although Zeon is regarded as a more shade-tolerant selection, no less than six hours of direct sun should reach the plants. Dappled shade under tall trees may not provide ample light for long-term lawn health.

    Benefits of Sunlight

    • The more direct sunlight that basks the Zeon zoysia grass lawn, the better, as it warms the soil to increase root growth and promote denser production of green leaf blades to make a lusher lawn. Although Zeon may survive in light or moderately shaded conditions, this already slow-growing spreading grass will grow more slowly in cooler, shadier environs. Zeon's growth rate is only slightly faster than that of Meyer but twice as fast as Emerald. Bare soil areas in between Zeon grass plants are susceptible to weed seed germination and competition for soil resources. Lots of sunlight and its accompanying heat ensure zoysia grass grows as fast as possible in an evenly moist soil.

    Growth Requirements

    • Plant Zeon zoysia grass in any fertile soil that is well-drained. It will grow in clay, loam and sandy soils. However, do not expect any zoysia grass to survive for long in soils that are soggy or do not drain completely within 24 hours after rains or irrigation. Wet soil, especially if the soil is cool, leads to root rot and plant death. Zeon is also only available as plantlets called sprigs or plugs, or as cut sod. Zeon is not growable from seed. Laying Zeon sod produces an instant lawn with perfect coverage, but the plants may thin out in areas where light levels are too dim.