Zoysia vs. Bermuda Grass: A Comparison Guide
Maybe the grass can be greener on the other side
Bermuda and Zoysia are durable, beautiful grasses that require consistent edging.
Zoysia has a higher tolerance for drought and shade.
Zoysia is lower maintenance than bermuda grass.
Bermuda grass establishes more quickly and is less expensive.
Bermuda has higher salt tolerance, making it great for coastal homes.
A lush lawn gives your family space to run, play yard games, and relax. And learning the key differences between Zoysia and Bermuda grass will help you make the best choice for your lawn and boost your home’s curb appeal. Zoysia and bermuda are durable warm-season grasses that thrive with the right conditions and maintenance, so read on to find out which best suits your yard.
Zoysia vs. Bermuda Grass: Key Differences
Wondering whether to plant Zoysia or Bermuda grass seed in your yard? The main distinction is that Zoysia has a higher tolerance for shade and drought conditions and is lower maintenance. On the other hand, Bermuda grass tends to sprout faster and cost less to plant. Consider testing your soil’s pH balance to determine its needs, and consider hiring a professional lawn care company to handle the choosing and planting process.
What Is Zoysia Grass?
Zoysia grass is vibrant green grass that's relatively easy to maintain. It's a warm-season and transitional grass that does best with lots of sunlight, although it can withstand some shade and cooler periods. It remains green from spring to the first fall frost and provides a dense turf for foot traffic and activity. Consider zoysia if you live in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 to 9.
| Pros of Zoysia | Cons of Zoysia |
|---|---|
| Pleasant green color | Takes at least two years to establish |
| Heat and drought tolerant | Seed is more costly |
| Dense growth great for foot traffic | Can be invasive and hard to remove |
| Stays green for longer than alternatives | Not suitable for constant shade |
| Handles cooler temperatures and shade well | Susceptible to drought periods |
Best for:
Yards that receive full sunlight
Backyards that experience heavy foot traffic
Homes located in warmer climates with potential drought conditions
Pros of Zoysia Grass
Vibrant light to medium green color
Prefers warmth and full sun but can handle some cooler temperatures and shade
Dense growth, great for heavy foot traffic and lawn games
Stays greener longer than other warm-season grasses
Heat- and drought-tolerant
Easy to maintain with regular watering and mowing
Great for transitional climates
Weed-resistant once established due to a thick growth pattern
Adaptable to most soil types
Cons of Zoysia Grass
Takes two years to fully establish
Costs more than other warm-season grasses because it must be planted as sod or plugs, not grass seed
Turns brown during long periods of drought
Considered invasive and can crowd other grasses if not edged
Difficult to remove once rooted
Susceptible to thatch issues
Doesn’t thrive in shady yards
What Is Bermuda Grass?
Bermuda grass is a medium to dark green grass that thrives in full sun and warm temperatures. Bermuda has a fast growth rate, so you'll need to mow it once or twice a week during peak growth season. You'll also want to edge your lawn, meaning create straight edges within your lawn, as it's a durable, strong-spreading grass. Consider Bermuda if you live in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 to 10, especially near the coast. Bermuda grass has a high salt tolerance, making it a great choice if you live near the ocean.
| Pros of Bermuda Grass | Cons of Bermuda Grass |
|---|---|
| Rich, dark appearance | High maintenance needs |
| Affordable seeds | Low tolerance for cold and drought |
| Quick recovery for traffic and games | Struggles in shade |
| Salt-resistant | Can be invasive |
| Deep roots | Can develop thatch issues |
| Suitable for a range of pH levels | More susceptible to pests and diseases |
Best for:
Homes located in coastal areas or near an ocean
Homeowners who enjoy frequent lawn maintenance
Golf courses and sports fields
Pros of Bermuda Grass
Thick, beautiful medium to dark green grass
Costs less than other warm-season grasses, as you can plant it from seed, sod, or plugs.
High durability with quick recovery, making it ideal for heavy foot traffic and lawn games
Great in warm climates and near the coastline
Thick, deep root system
Adaptable to soils with pH from 6.5 to 8.0
Cons of Bermuda Grass
Requires consistent edging
Needs maintenance such as aeration and fertilization
Low cold- and drought-tolerance
Not suitable for shady lawns or transitional climates
Difficult to remove due to invasive spreading and deep rooting
Susceptible to thatch issues
Dormant period starts earlier and can last longer than other warm-season grasses
Zoysia vs. Bermuda Grass
Zoysia and bermuda grass can give you a lush outdoor carpet for playing, lounging, and hosting barbecues. Your grass type should depend on your climate, how you plan to use the grass, and whether your yard has shade. If you’d like an expert’s opinion on the type of grass that’s best for your property, reach out to a local lawn service. They can help you weigh the pros and cons, and can even plant the grass for you.
Here's a breakdown of zoysia vs. bermuda grass based on key factors to consider.
| Appearance | Lighter, friendly green | Slightly darker, richer green |
| Blade width | 2-7mm | 1.5–1.7mm |
| Comfort level | Smooth and resilient | Soft with quick recovery |
| Shade tolerance | Moderate to high | Moderate |
| Best maintained height | 0.5-2 inches | 0.5-1.5 inches |
| Wear tolerance | High | High |
| Recovery from injury | High | High |
| Drought Tolerance | Moderate | High |
| Soil | Clay, loam, sand | Heavy clays to deep sand |
| Salt tolerance | Moderate | High |
| Fertilizer | Lower nitrogen preferred | High nitrogen preferred |
| Preferred soil pH | 5.8-7.0 | 6.5-80 |
| Pest threats | Chinch bugs, billbugs | Billbugs, sod webworms, armyworms, Bermuda grass mites |
| Disease threats | Brown spot, rust, and leaf spot | Dollar spot, Spring dead spot, leaf spot, brown patch, Pythium |
Color and Appearance: Both
An established Zoysia lawn maintains a light to medium green color, depending on your specific species. Zoysia tends to stay greener longer than bermuda grass, keeping its rich hue from spring to late fall.
Zoysia grows in dense bunches made of thin blades that grow straight up. In most cases, Zoysia takes over any weeds and keeps them out, making your lawn look healthy and full.
Bermuda grass is medium to dark green when healthy. Some varieties of bermuda grass have a bluish-green hue. The blades stand on a slight angle and can look flat or somewhat bowed. Many golf courses and sports fields use Bermuda grass, thanks to its ability to recuperate quickly after foot traffic. But if Bermuda grass is planted in a shady area, such as near a fence line, the grass can become dormant and brown.
Durability: Bermuda
Bermuda and Zoysia grasses hold up well to heavy foot traffic and frequent activity, but bermuda is quicker to recover. There’s a reason why Bermuda grass is frequently used on sports fields.
To Zoysia’s credit, it holds up better in low temperatures or with a lack of sunlight. Bermuda grass is more sensitive to weather changes and can lose its green color more easily.
Price: Bermuda
Bermuda grass tends to be less expensive since you can plant it as seed (or sod or plugs). You need to plant Zoysia from sod or plugs, and it can take at least two years to fully establish.
Zoysia sod costs $0.40 to $0.60 per square foot on average.
Bermuda sod costs $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot.
Bermuda grass seed only costs between $0.09 and $0.18 per square foot on average.
Maintenance: Zoysia
Both grass types benefit from regular edging and lawn mowing. However, Bermuda grass tends to grow faster and serves better at a lower height, ½ to 1 1⁄2 inches, so it will need significantly more mowing than Zoysia.
Keep in mind that Zoysia is more resistant to shady areas than Bermuda grass, which benefits from more sunlight. Periodic fertilizing can help growth: Zoysia prefers lower nitrogen fertilizers, while Bermuda grass likes higher nitrogen content.
Shade Tolerance: Zoysia
Zoysia grass prefers full sun like bermuda does, but it can handle some shade (usually up to four hours per day). Bermuda grass doesn't fare well without full sun. If you’re planting it near a fence line, under trees, or in other shaded areas, expect your bermuda grass to brown and turn dormant.
Tolerance to Drought and Overwatering: Zoysia
Zoysia grass doesn't need more water than Bermuda grass, as they both need about 1 inch of water per week including rainfall. But Zoysia tolerates overwatering and underwatering better than Bermuda grass.
Residual dampness or drought can cause bermuda grass to suffer. If it's excessively wet for more than two days, it can develop root rot. And if there's a drought, Bermuda turns brown faster than Zoysia.
Soil Compatibility and pH Levels: Both
Zoysia and Bermuda grass grow well in a range of soil types and conditions. Zoysia thrives in sandy and loamy soils. And if you have soil with a high clay content, Zoysia grass will grow better than Bermuda grass.
Bermuda grass has a higher salt tolerance than Zoysia, making it ideal for coastline homes. Bermuda also has a wider pH range. It grows well in soils with a pH of 6 to 7, and can even tolerate 5.5 pH. Zoysia grass grows best in soils with a pH of 6-6.5.
Pest and Disease Resistance: Both
Both Zoysia and Bermuda grass can experience fungi growth and insects, such as billbugs and grub worms. But that's the case for most grass varieties. Maintaining a healthy lawn and removing thatch helps to keep these problems at bay.
