The Different Types of Zoysia Grass: Which One Should You Choose?

Table of Contents

• Key Takeaways
• Comparing Popular Zoysia Grass Types
  • 1. Empire Zoysia: Features and Benefits
  • 2. Zeon Zoysia: Pros and Cons
  • 3. Innovation Zoysia: Unique Traits
  • 4. Geo Zoysia: Strengths and Weaknesses
  • 5. Emerald Zoysia vs. Zenith Zoysia
  • 6. Lobo and CitraZoy Zoysia Overview
• Factors to Consider When Choosing Zoysia Grass
  • Climate and Regional Suitability
  • Soil Type and Preparation Needs
  • Lawn Usage and Foot Traffic Tolerance
  • Drought and Heat Resistance Comparison
  • Cost and Availability of Different Varieties
• Achieve the Lawn of Your Dreams With a Zoysia Expert

Zoysia grass is growing like crazy in New Orleans! Its tolerance for the area’s hot weather and changing soil conditions allows it to be a common plant throughout southern yards. Other varieties, including Zoysia japonica, Zoysia matrella, and Zoysia tenuifolia, have varying benefits. These species are astounding, from texture to shade tolerance to how much maintenance they require.

The main determining factors for which variety is best for you are foot traffic, sun exposure, and the look you want. Big Easy SOD breaks down the types to help you choose the best one for your lawn.

Key Takeaways

• Zoysia grass is involved and resilient to many different climates, soils, and uses, because there are many types/varieties of Zoysia.
• Empire Zoysia is simple and low maintenance with broad blades and performs very well in Zones 6B-11 and is perfect for tough, no-fuss lawns.
• Zeon Zoysia is extremely durable with a fine texture and does best in full sun or partial shade.
• Innovation Zoysia is cold-hardy and does well in northern climates.
• When choosing what to plant, keep in mind both your local climate and how much sun/shade your property gets.

Comparing Popular Zoysia Grass Types

Choose the best variety for your landscape by focusing on these important elements. Consider climate, texture, maintenance, and use! Here’s a head-to-head comparison of the big-time players to help you make the right call.

1. Empire Zoysia: Features and Benefits

Empire Zoysia features a dark green color with wider blades that create a soft, luxurious look combined with resiliency. It not only thrives in New Orleans’ warm climate, but it adapts well all the way across the USDA Hardiness Zones 6B through 11. Despite requiring only the occasional watering and very little mowing, it’s a favorite for homeowners looking for an easy-care lawn.

2. Zeon Zoysia: Pros and Cons

Zeon Zoysia provides a very nice fine texture combined with extreme durability, making it a natural choice for high-traffic areas. Its combination of drought and shade tolerance does make it versatile. Yet this slow growth can prolong the first establishment—a fair exchange for less mowing, perhaps. Its beauty makes it a favorite on the golf course or high-end real estate.

3. Innovation Zoysia: Unique Traits

Known for its cold hardiness, Innovation Zoysia is vigorous even in cooler climates, developed by Kansas State University. Its lush, cushiony turf grows well in northern and southern climates. That makes it ideal for parks and athletic fields in southern Pennsylvania and the entirety of the West Coast.

4. Geo Zoysia: Strengths and Weaknesses

Geo Zoysia’s rich, dark green color and luscious, soft texture form an exceptional lawn. It’s extremely tolerant of drought and weeds but may have a slightly slower establishment rate, requiring a little more patience. That said, it’s a great option for ornamental lawns or homes with mixed-use needs.

5. Emerald Zoysia vs. Zenith Zoysia

Emerald Zoysia is a nice, fine grass with a deep green color, perfect for shady lawns. On the other hand, Zenith Zoysia has thicker blades, grows faster, and handles dry conditions better.

6. Lobo and CitraZoy Zoysia Overview

Lobo Zoysia is highly regarded for its toughness and traffic tolerance and dense growth, which can make it a good choice for athletic fields or playgrounds. CitraZoy shines in heat tolerance, ideal for hotter southern climates such as Louisiana. Both of these varieties easily adapt to commercial and residential landscapes.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Zoysia Grass

Selecting the best Zoysia grass involves looking at a number of factors to select the ideal choice for your lawn needs. Every type possesses unique qualities to make it stand out. Regardless of the type you select, it is critical to ensure that it suits your climate, soil type, planned application, and financial constraints.

Climate and Regional Suitability

Zoysia grass only thrives in warm climates, but some types of Zoysia can adapt to other climates. For example, in hot, humid climates like Tunica and New Orleans, warm-season grasses thrive best.

Empire Zoysia functions wonderfully under these conditions because of its excellent heat tolerance. In cooler climates, Innovation Zoysia provides additional cold-hardiness, allowing its cultivation further into northern states.

Soil Type and Preparation Needs

Soil Type and Preparation Needs Zoysia grass grows best in well-drained soil with a pH of at least 6.0. Conducting a soil test before installation is essential to determine any need of deficiencies. Acidic soils are easily corrected with lime, while compacted soils will need aerating to break up the hardpan. Palisades Zoysia is a great choice under poor soil conditions.

Lawn Usage and Foot Traffic Tolerance

Consider how much traffic your lawn experiences when selecting a variety of Zoysia grass. The unmatched recovery of Zeon Zoysia is another reason to choose it for residential lawns with heavy use. For active sports fields and active residential areas, Zeon Zoysia is very popular.

The softer texture of Geo Zoysia makes it the ideal choice for family lawns. It grows resistant to intensive use with appropriate maintenance, which includes consistent mowing to 1-2” and fertilization.

Drought and Heat Resistance Comparison

Drought tolerance is increasingly important for sustainability, particularly during hotter summer months. Several varieties like Geo Zoysia and El Toro Zoysia need less watering, and CitraZoy can survive the harsh heat found in southern summer months.

Cost and Availability of Different Varieties

Variety costs depend on form—sod, plugs, sprigs, or seed—and variety. For instance, Geo Zoysia sod averages $0.50 to $0.70 per square foot. Conversely, newer varieties such as Innovation Zoysia can be pricier due to their restricted availability.

Achieve the Lawn of Your Dreams With a Zoysia Expert

Which type of zoysia grass you choose should reflect your priorities and the unique ecosystem of New Orleans. One is not necessarily better than the other, but rather, each variety provides different advantages.

If you’re unclear on which zoysia grass to use, call on Big Easy SOD, a local expert in zoysia to counsel you. It takes only a little good advice to have the lawn of your dreams.