Get to Know the 7 Types of Zoysiagrass in Florida

Zoysiagrass, named after the 18th-century Slovenian botanist Karl von Zois, is a standout choice for Florida lawns due to its resilience in warm climates. As a warm-season grass, zoysiagrass grows vigorously during spring through fall and slows down during the cooler months. It’s prized for its fine texture, soft feel underfoot, and ability to form a thick, weed-resistant lawn. With traits like heat tolerance, drought resistance, and relatively low maintenance needs, zoysiagrass offers a versatile solution for homeowners seeking a beautiful yet practical lawn.

There are several varieties of zoysiagrass, each suited for slightly different conditions and aesthetic preferences. While they share common strengths—such as good wear tolerance and lush growth—the different types of zoysiagrass vary slightly in blade width, color, growth habit, and shade tolerance. These nuances can help you decide which type best fits your lawn’s needs.

What Is Zoysiagrass?

Zoysiagrass is a warm-season turfgrass native to southeastern and eastern Asia, including Japan, China, and Korea. It's well-adapted to growing during warmer months and has become a preferred option for many lawns across the southern US, including Florida.

This hardy grass thrives in full sun, with some varieties tolerating partial shade. Although it grows slowly and may take time to recover from damage, it naturally forms a dense, thick lawn that contributes to its drought tolerance and helps resist wear from foot traffic. Its deep root system also makes it highly competitive against weeds, and when well-maintained, it creates a lush, carpet-like turf suitable for residential, commercial, and recreational areas.

How Zoysiagrass Compares to Other Warm-Season Grasses

Compared to other popular warm-season grasses like bermudagrass and St. Augustine, zoysiagrass stands out for its fine texture and relatively low maintenance needs. Bermudagrass establishes quickly and spreads aggressively, but it typically requires more frequent mowing and offers limited shade tolerance. St. Augustine is more tolerant of shade and thrives in low-light areas but requires consistent maintenance—otherwise, it may become vulnerable to chinch bugs and other pests.

Zoysiagrass strikes a balance. While it’s slower to establish than bermudagrass, it eventually forms a dense, weed-resistant lawn. It requires less mowing and fertilization than St. Augustine and performs well across a variety of light and soil conditions. These traits make it an attractive choice for homeowners seeking a resilient, attractive lawn with fewer upkeep demands over time.

7 Zoysiagrass Varieties for Florida Lawns

Zoysiagrass varieties share core traits like resilience, durability, and visual appeal. However, each has slight differences in color, growth habit, texture, and tolerance levels. Here’s a closer look at the most popular zoysia varieties you’ll find in Florida:

1. Emerald Zoysiagrass

Emerald zoysiagrass is a fine-textured, slow-growing variety that requires less upkeep than most warm-season grasses. It offers excellent tolerance to shade, heat, drought, and even cold. With minimal fertilizer demands, it’s ideal for homeowners seeking a low-maintenance yet visually appealing lawn.

At Bethel Farms, Icon® Zoysiagrass—an emerald green variety—is cultivated for its quick establishment, salt tolerance, and resistance to chinch bugs. It features fine blades and better shade tolerance than other Zoysia varieties. 

2. Zoysia Japonica

Zoysia japonica is the most widely used variety in the US, valued for its hardiness and versatility. With medium-coarse blades ranging in color from light to dark green, it forms a dense, attractive lawn that tolerates foot traffic and varying weather conditions well.

Popular subspecies include Empire, Compadre, Zenith, Zoyboy, and Palisades—all of which carry similar traits, making them reliable options for homeowners looking for durable, adaptable lawns.

3. Zeon Zoysiagrass

Zeon zoysiagrass is often considered a premium option due to its fine-bladed texture and rich green color. It’s a preferred grass for golf courses and athletic fields because of its plush appearance and excellent wear tolerance.

Zeon requires less water and fertilizer than many other turfgrasses and performs well in both full sun and moderate shade. Its deep root system helps it recover quickly from drought or high traffic.

4. Zoysia Macrantha

Native to Australia, Zoysia macrantha is a broad-bladed, creeping grass with excellent salt tolerance and slow growth. It requires less watering than many other turf types, making it well-suited for coastal or arid landscapes.

Newer subspecies of this variety produce highly durable, lush green turf that works well for residential lawns, commercial landscapes, and public spaces alike.

5. Zoysia Matrella

Also called Manila grass, Zoysia matrella features medium-fine blades and thrives in sandy or nutrient-poor soils. It performs best in tropical climates and is less tolerant of cold than other species.

Subspecies like Cavalier, Facet, and Shade Tuff offer additional adaptability and can handle varying sun and soil conditions. This variety is an excellent alternative for lawns where other turf types may struggle.

6. Zoysia Tenuifolia

Also called Mascarene or Korean grass, Zoysia tenuifolia has a distinctive, low-growing, clumping habit. It’s not ideal for traditional lawns but is widely used in ornamental or decorative landscapes due to its plush, cushion-like appearance.

It prefers full sun and warmer climates and does not tolerate cold as well as other zoysia types.

7. Gateway Zoysiagrass

Gateway zoysiagrass is a newer variety known for its superior turf quality and fast establishment. It produces minimal seed heads, which elevates visual appeal, and demonstrates aggressive recovery from heavy foot traffic.

This variety is also noted for its cold tolerance, making it a strong choice for transitional zones or lawns that experience occasional frost. Gateway is one of Bethel Farms’ featured zoysiagrass varieties, cultivated for its exceptional performance and resilience.

How to Pick the Right Type of Zoysiagrass for Your Lawn

Zoysiagrass is easily one of the most aesthetically appealing and practical turf options for Florida landscapes. With a wide range of blade textures, growth habits, and shade or drought tolerances, there’s a zoysia variety that can meet almost any lawn challenge. Whether you’re dealing with shade, high traffic, salty soil, or extended dry spells, zoysiagrass adapts with ease.

As a warm-season, low-maintenance grass, zoysiagrass requires less mowing, less watering, less fertilization, and fewer pest treatments than many other turf types—making it a favorite for homeowners seeking both aesthetics and ease of care.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is zoysiagrass best known for?

Zoysiagrass is known for its dense, fine-textured turf, drought tolerance, and low maintenance needs. It creates a lush, carpet-like lawn that resists weeds and foot traffic.

2. Is zoysiagrass shade-tolerant?

Zoysiagrass performs best in full sun, but some varieties can tolerate partial shade. It’s more shade-tolerant than bermudagrass but less so than St. Augustine.

3. How long does zoysiagrass take to establish?

Zoysiagrass is slower to establish than other warm-season grasses like bermudagrass, but once established, it forms a thick, resilient lawn.

4. How often does zoysiagrass need to be mowed?

It generally requires less frequent mowing than bermudagrass. During the growing season, plan to mow every 7–10 days, depending on growth.

Premium Zoysiagrass for Sale at Bethel Farms

Choosing premium sod from a trusted grower ensures you get the best performance from your lawn. At Bethel Farms, we specialize in high-quality zoysiagrass sod, including both Icon® and Gateway® Zoysiagrass—varieties selected for their pest resistance, weather tolerance, and overall visual appeal.

Whether you’re installing a new lawn or upgrading your current one, zoysiagrass  delivers long-lasting results with less effort.

Visit our website to explore our full selection of premium grass sod for sale and learn how to choose the right grass for your space.