Zeon Zoysia (Zoysia matrella) is a warm-season turfgrass developed as an improved zoysiagrass variety. Compared to older types like Emerald or Meyer, Zeon offers:
It has even been called the "barefoot grass" because of its cushiony, comfortable texture.
Color: | Deep emerald green, with excellent color retention in summer |
Texture: | Very fine blades (softer than Bermuda, denser than Tall Fescue) |
Growth Habit: | Dense, carpet-like turf that spreads by stolons and rhizomes |
Durability: | High wear tolerance; recovers more slowly than Bermuda but stays thick |
Heat Tolerance: | Thrives in hot, sunny conditions |
Cold Response: | Goes dormant and turns brown in winter, but greens up quickly in spring |
Shade Tolerance | One of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses (needs only 3–4 hours of sun daily) |
While Zeon is lower maintenance than many warm-season grasses, it still needs care:
Mowing:
Keep between 0.5–2 inches. Mows best with a reel mower for a manicured finish, but rotary mowers work too.
Watering:
About 1 inch per week during active growth; deep watering is preferred over frequent shallow watering.
Fertilization:
Requires less nitrogen than most other warm-season grass (2–3 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. annually). Overfertilizing can cause thatch buildup.
Sunlight:
Excels in full sun but tolerates partial shade better than most warm-season varieties.
Soil Preference:
Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0–7.0.
If you want a luxury lawn with minimal upkeep and live in a warm-season region, Zeon Zoysia is one of the best options available. It’s especially great if your yard has a mix of sun and shade.
However, if your lawn will experience heavy wear and you need quick recovery (like for kids’ sports or pets), Bermuda grass may be a better choice.
If you're interested in outfitting your Atlanta property with Centipede sod, please give us a call or send us an email today for a quote. We are happy to help you achieve the goals you have for your Atlanta property.