Zoysia Vs Centipede Grass

Choosing the right grass for your lawn is a big decision. It affects how your yard looks, how much work you need to do, and how much you’ll spend on upkeep. If you’re in the southern United States, two warm-season grasses often top the list: zoysia vs centipede grass. Both are popular, but they have very different personalities. Your perfect lawn depends on picking the one that matches your climate, soil, and how much time you want to spend in the yard.

This guide will walk you through everything. We’ll look at how each grass feels underfoot, how much water it needs, and how it handles heat and cold. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which grass is the best fit for your home.

Let’s start with a broad overview of these two grass types. Zoysia grass is known for its toughness and dense, carpet-like growth. Centipede grass is famous for being low-maintenance and having a slower growth habit. They can both create a beautiful lawn, but they achieve it in different ways.

What is Zoysia Grass?

Zoysia is a warm-season perennial grass. It’s originally from Asia and is prized for its durability. It grows using stolons and rhizomes, which means it spreads both above and below ground. This creates a very thick, weed-resistant turf once it’s fully established.

There are several common varieties:

Emerald Zoysia: A fine-textured, dark green hybrid. It’s very beautiful but can be slower to establish and less cold-tolerant.
Meyer Zoysia (Z-52): A improved variety known for better cold tolerance and a medium texture. It’s one of the most popular choices.
Zeon Zoysia: A fine-bladed variety with a soft feel and good shade tolerance. It’s often used on golf courses and lawns.
Empire Zoysia: Has a wider blade, a deep green color, and is known for being very drought-tolerant.

What is Centipede Grass?

Centipede grass is often called “the lazy man’s grass.” It’s a low-growing, coarse-textured grass that spreads primarily by stolons. It’s native to China and Southeast Asia but has become a staple in the southeastern U.S. Its main appeal is its minimal fertilizer needs and relatively slow growth, which means less mowing.

Key characteristics include:

It has a light green to yellow-green color, which is distinctive.
It thrives in acidic, sandy soils where other grasses might struggle.
It’s not very tolerant of heavy foot traffic or wear and tear.

Side-by-Side Comparison Chart

This chart gives you a quick snapshot of how zoysia and centipede grass stack up against each other.

Botanical Name: Zoysia spp. / Eremochloa ophiuroides
Common Names: Zoysia / Centipede, “Poor Man’s Grass”
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-11 (depending on variety) / 7-10
Grass Texture: Fine to Medium / Coarse
Growth Rate: Slow to Medium / Slow
Spread Method: Stolons & Rhizomes / Stolons
Preferred Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 / 5.0-6.0 (Acidic)
Drought Tolerance: High / Medium
Shade Tolerance: Good to Fair / Poor to Fair
Traffic Tolerance: Excellent / Poor
Ideal Mowing Height: 1-2.5 inches / 1.5-2 inches

Climate and Growing Zones

Where you live is the first and most important factor. Zoysia grass has a wider range. Some cold-tolerant varieties like Meyer can survive in transition zone states as far north as the Carolinas, Tennessee, and even southern parts of the Midwest. It goes dormant and turns brown after the first hard frost, greening up again in late spring.

Centipede grass is more limited. It thrives in the humid southeast, from the coastal Carolinas down through Florida and across to Texas. It is less cold-tolerant than zoysia and can be severely damaged or killed by prolonged freezing temperatures. If you get regular winter frosts, centipede is a risky choice.

Soil Requirements and Preparation

Soil type and pH can make or break your lawn. Zoysia grass is more adaptable to different soil types, from sandy to clay, as long as drainage is good. It prefers a neutral soil pH, between 6.0 and 7.0. If your soil is too acidic, you’ll likely need to add lime.

Centipede grass is unique. It actually prefers acidic, sandy, and less fertile soil. A pH between 5.0 and 6.0 is ideal. If you put too much fertilizer or lime on centipede grass, it can develop yellowing (iron chlorosis) and other problems. For both grasses, proper soil prep is key:

Test your soil pH and nutrient levels.
Amend the soil based on the test results (lime for zoysia if acidic, possibly sulfur for centipede if too alkaline).
Till the area to loosen compacted soil and remove rocks and old roots.
Grade the area to ensure good drainage away from your house.

Establishment and Growth Rate

How quickly do you want a full lawn? Patience is required with both, but zoysia is notably slow. You can plant zoysia from seed, sod, or plugs. Sod gives an instant lawn but is expensive. Plugs are a cost-effective option, but they can take two to three growing seasons to completely fill in. It’s slow to green up in the spring.

Centipede grass is also slow-growing, but it’s typically established from sod, seed, or sprigs. Centipede seed is more readily available and affordable than zoysia seed. While it establishes faster than zoysia from plugs, it still won’t create a lawn overnight. Both grasses need a full growing season to get properly rooted.

Watering Needs and Drought Tolerance

Once established, both grasses have good drought tolerance, but zoysia is the clear winner here. Zoysia’s deep root system allows it to survive long dry periods. It will go dormant and turn brown during extreme drought but usually recovers well with the return of rain.

Centipede grass has moderate drought tolerance. It has a shallower root system and will show stress (a blue-gray color) sooner than zoysia. It requires more frequent watering during dry spells to stay green. Overwatering, however, can lead to disease problems in centipede.

A general rule for both is to water deeply but infrequently, encouraging deep root growth. About 1 inch of water per week, from rain or irrigation, is a good target.

Fertilizer and Nutrient Needs

This is a major differentiator. Zoysia grass needs regular feeding to look its best. It benefits from 2 to 4 applications of nitrogen-based fertilizer during the growing season. A soil test will tell you exactly what nutrients are needed.

Centipede grass is famously low-fertility. It often thrives with just one light application of fertilizer in late spring, using a specific “centipede-friendly” fertilizer that’s low in nitrogen and phosphorus. Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen, causes thatch buildup, promotes disease, and can actually harm the grass. It’s much easier to over-fertilize centipede than to under-fertilize it.

Mowing and Thatch Management

Your mowing routine will differ. Zoysia should be mowed at a height between 1 and 2.5 inches, depending on the variety. It forms a dense turf that can be cut with a sharp rotary or reel mower. Because it grows so thick, zoysia is prone to developing a thatch layer (a mat of dead stems and roots). Dethatching every year or two may be necessary.

Centipede grass should be mowed higher, between 1.5 and 2 inches. Mowing it too short stresses the grass and allows weeds to invade. It also produces thatch, but its slower growth usually means less frequent dethatching is needed. Always use a sharp mower blade to avoid tearing the grass blades, which can create a ragged, brown appearance.

Weed and Pest Resistance

A thick lawn is the best defense against weeds. Zoysia’s dense growth chokes out many weeds once it’s fully established. It is also relatively resistant to many common lawn insects and diseases, though it can be susceptible to billbugs and fungal issues like large patch in overly wet conditions.

Centipede grass, due to its slower growth and less dense turf, is more vulnerable to weed invasion, especially if it’s stressed or mowed too low. It has few major pest problems, but it is highly susceptible to a pest called the ground pearl. It can also be affected by a disease called “centipede decline,” often caused by over-fertilization, overwatering, or incorrect soil pH.

Shade and Sun Tolerance

No warm-season grass loves deep shade, but some handle partial shade better than others. Certain zoysia varieties, like Zeon or Emerald, have fairly good shade tolerance. They can manage with 4 to 6 hours of dappled sunlight. In full sun, zoysia excels.

Centipede grass is a sun-lover. It needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily to grow well. In shaded areas, it becomes thin, weak, and is quickly overtaken by weeds or moss. If your yard has many large trees, zoysia is likely the better option between the two.

Foot Traffic and Wear Tolerance

Do you have kids or pets who play on the lawn? This is critical. Zoysia grass is exceptionally wear-tolerant. Its tough, resilient blades and dense growth allow it to recover quickly from damage. It’s a great choice for active yards and even light sports play.

Centipede grass has poor traffic tolerance. It does not recover quickly from wear and tear. High-traffic areas will become thin and bare, leaving room for weeds or soil erosion. It’s best for ornamental lawns that see little activity.

Overall Appearance and Feel

This comes down to personal preference. Zoysia offers a finer, denser, carpet-like appearance. It can be cut short for a manicured look. Its color is typically a richer, deeper green. It feels softer and more luxurious under bare feet.

Centipede grass has a coarser texture and a lighter, almost apple-green color. Some people find this color less attractive than the deep green of zoysia. It feels more rough underfoot. It gives a more casual, informal look to a lawn.

Cost and Maintenance Summary

Let’s talk about time and money. Initially, zoysia sod or plugs are usually more expensive than centipede. Over the long term, zoysia requires more inputs: more fertilizer, potential dethatching costs, and possibly more pest control. You’re paying for a higher-quality, more durable turf.

Centipede grass wins on low maintenance. The initial cost is often lower, and ongoing costs are minimal due to low fertilizer needs. You’ll save money on inputs but may spend more on weed control or repairing damaged areas. The trade-off is a less resilient lawn.

Making Your Final Choice

So, which grass is for you? Ask yourself these questions:

Where do I live? If you’re in zone 7 or north, zoysia is safer. Deep south? Both are options.
What is my soil like? Acidic, sandy soil leans toward centipede. More neutral or clay soil leans toward zoysia.
How much sun does my yard get? Lots of shade points to zoysia. Full sun favors either.
How will the lawn be used? For playing and pets, choose zoysia. For a low-traffic show lawn, consider centipede.
How much maintenance do I want? For minimal care, choose centipede. For a pristine lawn you don’t mind working on, choose zoysia.

FAQs About Zoysia and Centipede Grass

Which is more expensive, zoysia or centipede?

Initially, zoysia sod is typically more expensive. Over time, centipede grass often costs less to maintain due to its lower fertilizer requirements.

Can I mix zoysia and centipede grass?

It’s not recommended. They have different soil pH needs, growth habits, and mowing heights. One will usually outcompete the other, leading to a patchy, uneven lawn.

Which grass stays green longer?

Zoysia grass usually retains its green color later into the fall and greens up earlier in the spring compared to centipede grass, which goes dormant quickly after the first frost.

Is centipede grass really that low maintenance?

Yes, in terms of mowing and fertilizing, it is. However, it requires very specific soil conditions (acidic) and is less forgiving of mistakes like over-fertilizing or heavy traffic.

Does zoysia grass spread quickly?

No, zoysia is known for its slow growth and spread. This is why plugs can take so long to fill in. This slow growth, though, contributes to its dense turf.

What is the biggest problem with centipede grass?

Its susceptibility to “centipede decline,” which is a combination of problems often caused by over-care—too much water, too much fertilizer, or soil pH that is too high.

Can you grow either grass from seed?

Yes, but it’s more common with centipede. Zoysia seed can be slow and unreliable, and many popular zoysia varieties are only available as sod or plugs.

Choosing between zoysia and centipede grass is about understanding there trade-offs. Zoysia gives you a tough, beautiful, carpet-like lawn but asks for more attention and care. Centipede offers a easy-going, low-maintenance lawn but requires specific conditions and is less durable. Assess your yard, your climate, and your lifestyle honestly. Whichever you choose, proper planting and consistent, appropriate care in the first year are the real secrets to achieving that perfect lawn you’re imagining. Take your time to prepare the soil correctly, and you’ll be rewarded with a grass that fits your life for years to come.