Anyone who’s cultivated plants in the southern United States knows the challenges of keeping things healthy and growing. Most parts of the south are known for being hot and dry, so you can’t just plant whatever you want outdoors and expect it to thrive. Some plants can survive these conditions by being grown in shady areas, or by getting watered more frequently. Lawn grass, on the other hand, needs to be able to handle itself against heat and drought.

Fortunately, varieties like Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia are known for their resistance to drought. What if you want your lawn to do more than just survive dry conditions, though? You can choose something like Zeon Zoysia, a type of Zoysia that’s known for its deep green color and resistance to insects. There are several different kinds to choose from; the ones that are most ideal for southern lawns will be discussed below.

Zeon Zoysia

This is considered to be a “premium” Zoysia, and for good reason. It has a vivid green hue, and a fine yet dense texture. It can grow well in the southern heat, but it can also tolerate colder temperatures. If you want your lawn to stay greener for longer, this is one good option; Zeon Zoysia turns brown later in the year, and then green earlier in the spring compared to other types of Zoysia. It also scores well for resistance to diseases and insects, and grows quickly. This particular type is a fine-bladed grass, which means a slower buildup of thatch. A lawn of Zeon Zoysia requires less maintenance overall, and is more likely to stay healthy without much interference.

Zeon Zoysia summary:

• Can tolerate shade better than other types of Zoysia
• Tolerates drought well
• Dark green in color
• Short, fine blades of grass
• Takes more time to establish itself compared to Empire Zoysia
• Is barefoot-friendly
• Is insect-resistant
• Has less buildup of thatch

Emerald Zoysia

Here’s another top-quality Zoysia variety. It has the characteristics you’d expect, such as drought resistance and a bright green hue. However, it’s a bit more shade tolerant than some Zoysia varieties; it actually comes close to the same shade tolerance as St. Augustine. Full shade won’t work for Emerald Zoysia, but it only needs around three to four hours of sun per day for healthy growth. Aside from its color, this grass is set apart by the fine texture of its blades.

Emerald Zoysia summary

• Intense green color
• Soft feel underfoot
• Shade tolerant
• Turns green quickly each spring
• Drought tolerant

Palisades Zoysia

This variety of Zoysia is known for the rate at which it can grow and spread. It has a decent shade tolerance, and requires fairly little water – around 1.5 to 2 inches weekly. It prefers plenty of sunlight, and needs at least six hours of sunlight daily. Palisades Zoysia does well in high-traffic areas, thanks to its ability to rapidly recuperate from environmental stressors. As a high-density, coarse-textured turf that requires little maintenance, it’s easy to see why Palisades Zoysia is so popular.

Palisades Zoysia summary

• Medium to dark green color
• Dense foliage with medium-sized blades
• Moderately shade tolerant
• Recuperates quickly from drought, foot traffic, etc.
• Drought tolerant

Cavalier Zoysia

Cavalier Zoysia is a fine-bladed variant, with great shade tolerance – it only needs around four to five hours of direct sunlight daily. It grows thickly, producing a dark-green lawn that’s very aesthetically pleasing; many people think it looks similar to Bermuda grass. It’s also very hardy, so it’s unlikely to be affected by drought or disease. This grass grows a bit more slowly than others, so you won’t have to mow it quite as often.

Cavalier Zoysia summary

• Dark green color
• Fine blades and dense growth
• Shade tolerant
• Drought tolerant
• Low-maintenance due to slower growing time

What you need to know about growing Zoysia

Zoysia comes in many different varieties, all of which are known for their general hardiness and aesthetic appeal. It’s a warm-season grass, which makes it more suitable for southern states. Here are a few more details that are handy to know if you’re interested in Zoysia for your yard.

• Where Zoysia likes to grow

Most types of Zoysia like hot temperatures. They can survive in hardiness zones 6 – 8, but they’ll grow very slowly and stay dormant for a large portion of the year. They do best in zones 9 – 11, growing more quickly (and needing more frequent mowing). As long as you live above a hardiness zone 6 (which encompasses the southern states), and have plenty of sunlight in your yard, Zoysia should be the right grass for you.

• How much water Zoysia needs

The type of grass you grow in your lawn can have a big impact on your water bill, which is why so many people love Zoysia. It needs about an inch of water each week to thrive, and can generally flourish under all but the harshest watering restrictions.

• How much sunlight Zoysia needs

There are a few varieties that can survive partial shade, but all of them prefer being in full sunlight. This helps the grass grow thick and tall; shaded areas are likely to contain thinned-out grass that doesn’t grow as quickly. Properties with a lot of trees or privacy fences may not be ideal for Zoysia.

• How much fertilizer Zoysia needs

In general, most Zoysia varieties will grow just fine as long as you leave the grass clippings to compost back into the soil. However, some of them will give you better results with the help of nitrogen fertilizer. If you have one of these varieties, you’ll probably end up needing between two and four pounds of fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet of grass.

The takeaway

The grasses in southern lawns need certain characteristics if they’re going to thrive, and several Zoysia varieties have these characteristics in abundance. From drought and pest resistance, to the ability to grow a thick, gorgeous carpet of grass, there’s a lot to appreciate about these types of Zoysia.