Zoysia grass is a popular warm-season turf known for creating a dense, carpet-like lawn with an appealing texture. This perennial grass spreads via rhizomes and stolons, establishing a thick stand that naturally crowds out many weeds. Homeowners often choose Zoysia for its durability and moderate maintenance requirements. Managing its vertical growth is the basis for a healthy and attractive Zoysia lawn.
The Ideal Maintenance Height
The recommended maintenance height for Zoysia is typically between one and two inches above the soil line, depending on the specific cultivar and desired aesthetic. This height provides the optimal balance for photosynthesis, root health, and turf density. Cutting the grass too low, known as scalping, severely stresses the plant and exposes the soil.
Maintaining the correct canopy height encourages Zoysia to grow laterally, achieving its signature density and choking out competing weed species. A higher leaf surface allows the grass to intercept more sunlight, fueling the creation of carbohydrates necessary for deep root development. Robust root systems are essential for the grass to survive drought and high heat.
The foundational principle for all mowing is the “one-third rule”: never remove more than one-third of the grass blade’s total height in a single mowing session. If your target height is one inch, you must mow before the grass exceeds one and a half inches. Violating this rule removes too much photosynthetic surface, forcing the grass to draw on stored energy to recover, which weakens it overall.
This rule dictates the necessary mowing frequency, especially during the peak summer growing season. Using a sharp blade is important, as a dull blade tears the leaf tips, leaving a ragged, brown appearance that makes the grass susceptible to disease.
Factors That Influence Zoysia Growth Rate and Height
Several environmental and cultural factors influence how quickly Zoysia grows vertically, directly affecting mowing frequency. Nitrogen (N) application is a significant accelerator of shoot growth, but Zoysia generally has lower nitrogen requirements than other warm-season grasses like Bermuda. Applying too much nitrogen fertilizer triggers a flush of rapid, soft growth, necessitating more frequent mowing and weakening the turf structure.
Water availability impacts vertical growth; Zoysia thrives when it receives about one to one and a quarter inches of water weekly, from irrigation or rainfall. Consistent moisture encourages steady growth, while excessive watering leads to overly rapid growth and increases disease risk. Conversely, during periods of drought, the grass will slow its growth rate and may enter dormancy to conserve resources.
Light exposure is another factor, as Zoysia prefers full sun, which supports dense, compact growth. In partial shade, the grass blades naturally stretch or “reach” for available light, resulting in thinner, taller growth. In shaded areas, it is often recommended to slightly increase the mowing height to around two to two and a half inches to maximize the leaf surface area for photosynthesis, preventing the turf from thinning.
Height Variations Among Common Zoysia Cultivars
Zoysia is a broad category, and genetic differences mean the ideal maintained heights of common cultivars vary considerably. Coarser-bladed varieties, such as Meyer (often sold as Z-52) and Zenith, are referred to as higher-mow types. These cultivars perform well when maintained at the upper end of the recommended range (typically 1.5 to 2 inches) and are easily managed with a standard rotary mower. Meyer Zoysia is known for its medium-coarse leaf texture and good cold tolerance.
In contrast, fine-bladed varieties, like Emerald and Zeon, are prized for their soft texture and golf-course appearance. These types are often best maintained at the lower end of the range (usually 0.5 to 1.5 inches) to achieve a dense, manicured look. Achieving the lowest heights often requires a reel mower, which provides a clean, scissor-like cut, unlike a rotary mower.
Other cultivars have specific growth habits that influence their maintenance height. For example, Palisades Zoysia has an upright growth habit, allowing it to be cut anywhere from half an inch up to three inches, depending on the application. Geo Zoysia, a fine-textured, dark-green type, can be maintained at one inch with a reel mower or up to two inches with a rotary mower. Selecting the right maintenance height depends on knowing the specific characteristics of the Zoysia variety planted.