Zoysia Maintenance 

  • Sustainable Lawns for Today and the Future
  • Low-Maintenance, High-Performance Turf Varieties
  • Specialists in Climate-Adapted Grass for Cairns
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Zoysia Grass Maintenance

There is no magic lawn grass variety that answers everybody’s ideal; they all have strengths and weaknesses; for example, most fast-growing competitive grasses are very high maintenance. More competitive weeds usually invade most slow-growing grasses. Once you understand them, Zoysia species can be the most environmentally sustainable turf grasses.


Their strengths include slow-growing, outcompeting weeds and low nutrient requirements. Zoysia is intermediate for water consumption and is a low-maintenance grass if appropriately managed. Recognising what is happening on your lawn is the key. If watered and fertilised heavily, Zoysia will respond with colour and vigour, and become a high-maintenance, thatchy lawn and need frequent mowing. The correct management is to fertilise sparingly; use mainly a nitrogen fertiliser unless nutrient deficiencies are in your soil base.


Have a question regarding Zoysia maintenance? Contact the experts at Tropical Lawns at (07) 4056 1740.

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Zoysia Grass Starting To Grow — Tropical Lawns Pty Ltd In Little Mulgrave QLD

When to Water

Water deeply once/week in the cooler months, then twice/week as evaporation increases in the summer months. Replace at least 80% of the weekly evaporation. If the daily evaporation rate is 8mm, the lawn is losing 56mm/week, water every third or fourth day with at least 20mm each time to keep a deep, drought-resistant root system. Water is more critical than a fertiliser in keeping your Zoysia looking good and performing sustainably.

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The Do’s & Don’ts with Zoysia

Far and away, people’s biggest mistake is not to recognise that the lawn is growing and needs mowing. It is prevalent to see lawns that have been left for several months; the owner assumes that it is a slow-growing grass and hasn’t grown at all. They would have mowed it several times if they had a Couch or a Buffalo lawn. To their surprise, the Zoysia, while not tall or unruly, has grown and thickened and can be difficult to mow.


In general, Zoysia needs mowing only about half as often as Couch, Buffalo or Carpet grass. The same rule of mowing applies: take one-third of the green leaf area each time, and the clipping yield will be only about 15% of the amount removed from other species. This will keep the lawn neat and even and keep weed invasion to an absolute minimum.

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  • Zoysia’s Versatility & Easy-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.

  • When & When Not to Remove & Weed Help

    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

    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.

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Zoysia Application & Range

Zoysias have a broader range of use than other turf species, for instance, in heavy shade, down to three hours of sun per day, or in high salt areas where others will not survive. Grown on steep banks for erosion control is another common use; where there is no intention of mowing, the Zoysias only grow to about 150mm and stay neat and outcompete weeds while holding the soil from eroding.


Some species like Z.japonica/Pacifica are used in landscaping for their “lumpy” effect and are never mown. For the right Zoysia for your application, check turf producers’ websites for a number of choices, and talk to them about what performs best in your situation.

  • Fertilising

    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.

  • Compaction

    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.

  • Nara & Shadetuff Zoysia Turfs

    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.

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What We Can Offer

At Tropical Lawns, we take pride in offering customised turf solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of each garden in our community. Our range of services is carefully designed to accommodate various soil types, weather conditions and personal maintenance preferences. With our expertise in Zoysia grass maintenance, we ensure that your lawn remains lush, vibrant and healthy throughout the year.


Committed to sustainable lawn care, we use eco-friendly practices that are beneficial for both your garden and the environment. By reducing water consumption and bolstering the natural resilience of your turf, we lessen the reliance on chemical treatments, offering you a lawn care solution that is both greener and more sustainable.

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Why Choose Tropical Lawns

At Tropical Lawns, we understand that choosing the right turf supplier is crucial for the health and beauty of your lawn. That's why we've distilled our key strengths into clear, concise points to help you make an informed decision. Here are the essential reasons why partnering with us will benefit your lawn care journey:

  • Expert Knowledge: We ensure practical and effective solutions for your lawn care needs.
  • Commitment to Quality: We rigorously test and select turf varieties for their durability, aesthetic appeal and ease of maintenance.
  • Robust and Beautiful Lawns: Our turf is chosen to withstand various challenges, ensuring your lawn remains beautiful with minimal effort. 
  • Minimal Upkeep: Investing in our turf means enjoying a beautiful lawn with less effort and upkeep required.

FAQs

  • How often should we water our Zoysia lawn and what is the best method?

    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.

  • What are common mistakes to avoid in Zoysia lawn maintenance?

    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.

  • Can Zoysia grass thrive in challenging conditions like shade or poor soil?

    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.

  • How should we deal with thatch build-up in our Zoysia lawn?

    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.

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