St. Augustine Grass vs Zoysia: Which Warm Season Grass Should You Choose?

Choosing the right type of warm-season grass is a big decision for any new home lawn. It can affect both its appearance and ease of maintenance. St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses are two popular options for warm-season lawns due to their unique qualities and adaptability to various climates and soils. In regions where both types can thrive, homeowners often weigh their options to determine which will best suit their needs.

St. Augustine grass boasts a lush, blue-green color and is recognized for its broad, flat blades. It’s a grass that establishes quickly and can create a thick, carpet-like lawn. On the other hand, Zoysia has a finer texture and a soft feel, with a greyish-green hue that many find appealing. Each type varies in its maintenance routine, tolerance to different environmental conditions, and overall resilience against wear and pests. Let’s explore which option may be best for your home lawn.

Grass Types Overview

When you’re deciding on the best grass for your lawn, St. Augustine and Zoysia are two types you’ll likely consider. Here’s a brief overview to help you understand these grasses better.

St. Augustine Grass:

• Texture: It tends to have a coarser turf.
• Maintenance: This one requires more frequent care and mowing.
• Tolerance: It is less tolerant of wear but can handle a bit more shade.
• Spreading: St. Augustine spreads via stolons, making it less dense.

Zoysia Grass:

• Texture: Zoysia offers a finer blade.
• Maintenance: It’s known for being lower maintenance.
• Tolerance: Better wear tolerance but prefers full sun.
• Spreading: Spreads through both stolons and rhizomes, creating a dense turf.

Aspect	St. Augustine	Zoysia
Soil pH Tolerance	5.5 to 7.0	5.0 to 8.5
Wear Tolerance	Lower	Higher
Shade Tolerance	Moderate	Low
Lawn Texture	Coarse	Fine
Maintenance	Higher	Lower
Spreading Methods	Stolons	Stolons and Rhizomes

Both grasses have their own set of advantages, so your choice might boil down to how much work you’re willing to put into lawn maintenance and the specific conditions of your yard.

Origins and Distribution

Understanding the backgrounds and areas where St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses thrive can help you determine the best choice for your lawn.

Origin of St Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass’s ancestral varieties are believed to have originated in Africa and the coastal regions of the Mediterranean, including Spain and Portugal. It was from these humid, subtropical zones that the grass started its journey across continents.

Origin of Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass, with its fine texture and dense growth, hails from Eastern Asia. It has become a widely chosen turf for its adaptability, having made its way to the United States and showcasing resilience in various climate conditions.

Geographic Distribution of St Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass enjoys popularity in the southeastern United States. It is especially common in coastal and gulf regions, where it benefits from the warm, moist climate, and has become a staple for lawns, parks, and golf courses.

Geographic Distribution of Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass, due to its versatile nature, has a broader distribution. It is well-suited to a variety of climates and is found thriving in lawns across the U.S., from the transition zones of the Midwest to the southern states where the heat is more intense.

Physical Characteristics

When choosing between St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses for your lawn, you’ll notice distinct differences in their physical characteristics. These differences affect not just the appearance of your lawn, but also its texture and overall maintenance requirements.

Characteristics of St Augustine Grass

St. Augustine Grass, often recognized for its robust growth, bears a coarse texture. It forms a dense carpet-like turf, making it tough for weeds to penetrate. Here’s what you should know about its look:

• Color: Exhibits a bluish-green to dark green hue.
• Blade Shape: Wide, flat blades with a folded appearance and rounded tips.
• Growth Pattern: Spreads primarily through stolons, leading to quick coverage.

Characteristics of Zoysia Grass

Zoysia Grass presents a more refined texture and can be described as soft to the touch. Here are its specific physical traits:

• Texture: Offers a smooth and fine turf that feels pleasant underfoot.
• Color: Can range from emerald-green to dark green.
• Blade Shape: Features long, thin, and fine blades.
• Growth Method: Spreads using both stolons and rhizomes, contributing to its dense root system.

By understanding these particulars, you’re better equipped to select the right type of grass that suits your lawn’s needs and your personal preferences.

Growth Behavior and Adaptation

When choosing between St. Augustine grass and Zoysia grass for your lawn, understanding their growth patterns and regional suitability is crucial to ensure a lush, healthy yard.

Growth Behavior of St Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass proliferates through stolons, which are above-ground runners. It’s known for its rapid growth during early summer, forming a dense carpet of coarse-textured turf. This grass type quickly recovers from minor damage due to its aggressive growth pattern.

Growth Behavior of Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass spreads by both stolons and rhizomes, which allows it to grow thick and resilient turf. It peaks in late spring and summer, expanding laterally at a moderate pace. Its finer texture and slower growth rate often mean less frequent mowing compared to St. Augustine.

Climate Adaptation of St Augustine Grass

Your St. Augustine lawn thrives in warm, coastal environments due to its excellent salt tolerance. It prefers consistent moisture and can flourish in well-drained, fertile soil, showing resistance to heat and mild drought conditions once established.

Climate Adaptation of Zoysia Grass

Zoysia adapts well to a variety of climates, from temperate to tropical zones. It’s particularly suited for areas with poor soil that may become compacted. While Zoysia shares salt and drought tolerance with St. Augustine, it requires notably less maintenance, even in challenging conditions.

Maintenance and Care

Choosing between St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses for your lawn depends on your maintenance preferences and care practices. Each variety has specific needs that ensure their health and lush appearance.

Maintaining St Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass thrives with regular maintenance that includes mowing to a height of 2 to 2.5 inches. This type of grass prefers a consistent mowing schedule to maintain a healthy, dense lawn, and it’s known for aggressive growth during early summer.

Maintaining Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass requires more frequent mowing due to its dense growth habit, often needing to be cut to about 1 inch in height. To maintain its fine texture and appealing look, Zoysia may need mowing at least four times a year.

Watering Requirements for St Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass needs a generous watering schedule as it has a high drought tolerance but performs best with consistent moisture. Your lawn should receive enough water to wet the soil to a depth of 4-6 inches.

Watering Requirements for Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass, while also drought-tolerant, has slightly different watering needs. It thrives when watered deeply but less frequently, encouraging deep root growth and enhancing drought resistance. Aim to soak the soil up to a depth similar to St. Augustine’s requirements.

Common Uses and Landscaping

When choosing between St. Augustine grass and Zoysia grass for your landscape, consider their specific aesthetic and maintenance requirements to best suit your needs.

Landscaping with St Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass thrives in warm regions and lends a lush, dark green carpet to your garden. It’s especially well-suited for coastal areas due to its high salt tolerance. You’ll typically see St. Augustine grass in residential lawns, public parks, and commercial landscapes. This grass type prefers full sun but can tolerate moderate shade.

• Aesthetic: Deep green color with a coarse texture.
• Shade Tolerance: Moderate; some varieties better than others.
• Maintenance: Requires frequent irrigation and fertilization.

Landscaping with Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass is versatile, providing a dense, fine-textured lawn that’s not only pleasing to the eye but also durable. It’s an excellent choice if you’re aiming for a lawn that can stand up to both heavy foot traffic and drought conditions. Ideal for both residential and commercial spaces, Zoysia can also be found on golf courses, particularly on the fairways and teeing areas.

• Aesthetic: Varying shades of green and fine to medium texture depending on variety.
• Shade Tolerance: Good; generally more shade-tolerant than St. Augustine grass.
• Maintenance: Less intensive compared to St. Augustine, with less frequent watering and mowing requirements.

Pest and Disease Resistance

In maintaining a healthy lawn, understanding how St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses resist pests and diseases is pivotal. Each grass type exhibits distinct resilience characteristics, ensuring you can make an informed decision for your lawn care.

Pest Resistance in St Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass is known for its lush, green turf, which can sometimes attract pests. However, it notably has some level of resistance to chinch bugs, a common pest for other grass varieties. You should be proactive about sod webworms and grubs, administering treatments in spring to prevent infestation.

Pest Resistance in Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass boasts a robust defense against many lawn pests, thanks to its dense growth and thick turf. It exhibits enhanced tolerance to chinch bugs and is less hospitable to other common pests that may trouble different turf types.

Disease Resistance in St Augustine Grass

Disease resistance is an area of concern for St. Augustine grass. It can be susceptible to brown patch and grey leaf spot, especially in humid conditions. To prevent these diseases, it’s recommended to apply fungicides and ensure proper lawn care routines.

Disease Resistance in Zoysia Grass

Zoysia generally presents strong resistance against many common lawn diseases. Its robust nature helps it fend off afflictions like brown patch.

Nonetheless, vigilance is advised to prevent issues such as large patch, particularly in the cooler seasons.

Cost and Availability

When choosing between St. Augustine grass and Zoysia for your lawn, you’ll want to consider both cost and availability, as these factors can significantly impact your decision.

St. Augustine Grass:

• Price Range: Typically, costs around $0.70 per square foot.
• Availability: It’s readily available and a popular choice in warmer coastal climates, especially in USDA zones 8 to 11.

Zoysia Grass:

• Price Range: Usually more expensive, averaging $0.73 per square foot.
• Availability: While it can be found at most sod providers, some of its shade or pest-tolerant varieties might only be sold in sod form.

Price Table

Grass Type	Cost per Square Foot	Cost per Pallet (avg.)
St. Augustine	$0.70	Varies
Zoysia	$0.73	About $362.50

Remember, the initial cost doesn’t always reflect the long-term investment.

Zoysia might be pricier up front but could potentially save you money over time due to its lower maintenance requirements.

On the other hand, St. Augustine’s moderate price point may be attractive, but you might spend more in upkeep.

Availability in your region may also influence cost, with locally grown options typically being more affordable. Check with local suppliers to get the most accurate pricing and availability for your area.

Environmental Impact

When you’re choosing between St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses for your lawn, consider their environmental impact. Both grasses have features that can be beneficial and challenging in different environments.

Water Usage:

• St. Augustine: This grass type generally requires more water due to its lower drought tolerance. If you live in an area prone to drought, be mindful of your water consumption.
• Zoysia: Zoysia tends to be more drought-resistant, which can lead to less water usage over time.

Pest Resistance:

• St. Augustine: Grubs and chinch bugs can be problematic, potentially leading to the use of pesticides.
• Zoysia: Has a natural resistance to some pests, potentially reducing the need for chemical treatments.

Soil Adaptability:

• St. Augustine: Prefers fertile, well-drained soil but can tolerate a range from pH 5.5 to 7.0.
• Zoysia: Tolerates a wider range of soil pH, from 5.0 to 8.5, and can grow in less fertile conditions.

Maintenance:

• You’ll find that Zoysia demands less frequent mowing due to its slower growth rate, which can save energy.
• Conversely, St. Augustine grows faster, potentially requiring more frequent mowing and thus more energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section aims to address common queries regarding the differences between St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses, their maintenance needs, and their suitability for different environments.