Zoysia Maintenance 

Do not assume that being a slow, fine grass, it is delicate in any way. Zoysia will grow on impoverished, bony soils and recover quickly from drying out. It is exceptionally herbicide-tolerant, and some species are very shade- and salt-tolerant. In fact, of all the lawn grasses grown in Australia, there are only three native species: Zoysia matrella, Zoysia macrantha, and paspalum vaginatum. 

All three occur naturally along muddy foreshores, beaches and rocky headlands, some of the harshest growing environments. The most common problems seen in Zoysia are where improper management, or sometimes just the passage of time, the lawn has become thick and thatchy, or the opposite—sparse, weak and often very dry. Thatch is the material between the soil and the green leaf area; it can allow disease and insect build-up and make the lawn challenging to mow.

Any means of removal is usually acceptable, like heavy raking or low mowing. Generally, a vertical mowing machine called a de-thatcher is most efficient and can be hired from shops like Kennards or Coates Hire. Fertilise lightly and water well for a good recovery. Thin, dry lawns need a high-nitrogen fertiliser and regular watering to bring them back to life. 

If there are weed issues, none of the lawn herbicides will damage Zoysia when used as per label directions. Because Zoysia lawns are often not fertilised, legumes seem to be the main issue, as they are taking their nitrogen from the air. Spray with a clover-type weed killer, and lightly fertilise on a regular basis, maybe two or three times/year.

Diseases are not common, but dollar spots on fine-leaf grass with low nitrogen levels can be seen occasionally. Sometimes, fertilising with Urea will allow the grass to grow out of the disease, but spraying with propiconazole will be the second part of the fix.

Zoysia grasses generally have low nutrient requirements and do not need much Phosphorus unless that element is deficient. Nitrogen is the main requirement, and in only small amounts, excessive nitrogen will create a thatch problem. Using Potassium will help the grass resist wear, and nitrogen will speed recovery. Too much nitrogen will make the grass soft and easily damaged, so a balance needs to be maintained.

Heavy traffic areas are prone to severely limiting root restrictions, generally in the top 25 to 50mm. Any mechanical means of allowing more air into the soil is good, providing the roots are not severely disturbed. Leaving a moderate thatch layer by mowing at least 25-30mm high will also provide some cushioning.

Zoysia species vary in their vigour; Nara is a relatively vigorous variety of Zoysia macrantha and will be faster to recover from damage. Shadetuff is naturally slower and, under shade, will take much longer to recover, so it should be managed carefully, as above.

At Tropical Lawns, a family-owned and operated business with over 100 years of experience, we recommend watering your Zoysia grass deeply but less frequently. In cooler months, once a week is sufficient, increasing to twice weekly in summer. This approach, developed from our extensive experience with native grasses, ensures a deep, drought-resistant root system for your lawn.

One common oversight is underestimating Zoysia's growth rate. Despite being a slow grower, it still requires regular mowing. Our maintenance tips, refined since our establishment in 1989, suggest mowing half as often as other grass types. Also, avoid over-fertilising, as this can lead to thatch problems, making the lawn high-maintenance.

Absolutely. Our locally owned and operated farm specialises in Zoysia, a grass native to our area, known for its resilience in poor soils and shaded areas. This grass, part of our eco-friendlier range, demonstrates our commitment to sustainable, adaptable lawn solutions.

Thatch build-up can be managed through raking or low mowing. For more efficient removal, using a vertical mowing machine is ideal. After de-thatching, light fertilisation and good watering, as advised in our free quotes, will help your lawn recover. Our advice is based on our extensive experience in providing competitively priced, eco-friendly lawn care solutions in Cairns.