Why Choose Zoysia Over St. Augustine?
Zoysia grass grows denser and tighter than St. Augustine. That density means fewer weeds can take hold. It also means less water—once established, Zoysia survives drought that would kill St. Augustine.
The trade-off: Zoysia establishes slower. It takes longer to fill in after installation. But once it's in, you'll spend less time and money maintaining it than any other warm-season grass.
Empire Zoysia: The Jacksonville Standard
Empire is the most popular Zoysia variety in North Florida. It handles our heat, tolerates moderate shade (4+ hours of sun), and recovers well from foot traffic. The medium-width blade feels soft underfoot—a real carpet grass.
Drought Tolerant
Once established, Zoysia survives on rainfall alone during normal years. Water only during extended dry spells.
Less Mowing
Zoysia grows slower than St. Augustine. Expect to mow every 10-14 days instead of weekly during peak season.
Weed Resistant
Dense growth crowds out weeds naturally. Less herbicide needed compared to other grass types.
Barefoot Friendly
Soft, fine texture feels good underfoot. Great for yards where kids play.
Zoysia Needs Sun
Despite better shade tolerance than Bermuda, Zoysia still needs at least 4 hours of direct sunlight. Heavy shade under oak trees won't work. If your yard is mostly shaded, Palmetto St. Augustine is a better choice.
Zoysia Care in Jacksonville
Mow at 1.5-2 inches—lower than St. Augustine. Fertilize 2-3 times per year, less than St. Augustine requires. Water deeply but infrequently once established. Zoysia goes dormant and turns brown in winter but greens up in spring.
The main pest to watch: large patch fungus during spring and fall when temperatures swing between 60-80°F. Avoid fertilizing in early spring to reduce risk.
Other Zoysia Varieties
Emerald Zoysia has finer texture but less shade tolerance than Empire. Zenith can be grown from seed but takes years to establish. For most Jacksonville lawns, Empire Zoysia is the right choice—proven performance with reasonable cost.
Zoysia vs St. Augustine: The Bottom Line
Choose Zoysia if you want lower maintenance and don't mind slower establishment. Choose St. Augustine if you want faster fill-in and have more shade. Both work great in Jacksonville—it comes down to how much time and water you want to invest.
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