Zoysia Grass Control: How To Get Rid of Zoysia Grass

This page is an expert guide on removing Zoysia grass from your yard using the products and methods our experienced lawn care specialists suggested. Follow this guide and use the recommended products. We guarantee you will have a lawn free of Zoysia grass.

While sometimes purposely planted for its unique aesthetic, Zoysia grass is a creeping grass that will refuse to go down without a fight. To some homeowners, this grass drought resistance, tolerance for high traffic of walking or other physical activities, and slow growth habit make it an ideal lawn. 

However, this warm-season grass has a habit of quickly spreading and choking out desired grass. It is very coarse and can turn a straw-brown color during dry weather. Where it is established, it can be difficult to eliminate.

Suppose your lawn is infested with Zoysia grass. In that case, our step-by-step DIY treatment guide will show you how to get rid of this invasive species quickly and save money using our professional-quality herbicides.

Identification

Before carrying out a treatment program, you will need first to be certain that you are dealing with Zoysia Grass and not some other weed. Careless identification can lead to using the wrong treatment methods, which can waste time and money.

• Zoysia Grass is a warm-season grass that grows in horizontal patches. It will grow along the top of the soil surface, choking any grass that gets in its way.
• When it grows in cool-season areas where the temperature falls below 50 degrees, its thick, rich green grass blades can turn straw-colored beige, ruining the aesthetics of a lawn.
• During periods of active growth, leaves are light to dark emerald green and narrow in shape. Depending on the species, they have a medium-to-fine texture with a soft or stiff touch. The upper surfaces of the leaves have a fringe of hairs. The leaf tip is tapered or sharply pointed. 
• Produces stolons and rhizomes, both of which spread laterally.

Use the above description and image to help you properly identify Zoysia grass. If you are unsure whether the weed you are seeing is Zoysia grass or something else, you can always contact us. Our lawn care experts will help you correctly identify the invading weed and suggest treatment options.

Inspection

After you have confirmed that you are dealing with Zoysia grass, you can move on to inspection. During this phase, you will locate areas where Zoysia grass is thriving and observe the conditions that allow it to thrive. This information will help you know where to focus your herbicide application.

Where to Inspect

Zoysia grass grows primarily in the southern portion of the United States in areas with full sun and warmer climates. Sites with soil temperatures between 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit and partial shade can expect this plant to grow. 

Common sites for Zoysia grass to grow are lawns, sports turf, and golf courses. 

What to Look For

When inspecting lawns, look for discolored patches of turf that don’t match your desired turf cover. When the weather cools, look for patches of grass that may have lost their color at a different rate from the native turf.

Treatment

After identifying Zoysia grass and inspecting where it is most active in your lawn, you can begin to treat your area. Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) before handling or applying any product.

Zoysia Grass grows in the summer, so you should spray an herbicide in late summer when it is actively growing.

We recommend using a non-selective herbicide like Eraser 41%. This glyphosate-based herbicide kills all plants that come in contact with it, so be careful when applying it so you don't get it on desired plants.

Step 1: Measure and Mix Eraser 41%

Eraser 41% Herbicide, is a post-emergent herbicide designed to control a wide variety of grassy and broadleaf weeds, including Zoysia Grass.

This is a non-selective glyphosate product with no soil activity. It will control and kill vegetation that it comes into contact with, so it is recommended to use it for spot treatments.

Measure the square footage of the treatment area to determine how much Eraser 41% Glyphosate to use. To do this, measure the length and width of the treatment area in feet and multiply them together (length X width = square footage). 

To get rid of Zoysia grass, perform a spot treatment with Eraser 41% Glyphosate. 

Apply 2 1/2 oz. (5 Tbs). of Eraser 41% Glyphosate per gallon of water to treat an area of approximately 300 sq. ft. 

To mix and apply this product, you will need a handheld pump sprayer. We recommend marking this sprayer specifically for non-selective herbicides to avoid cross-contamination with other herbicides. 

A blue marking dye, such as Vision Pro Max Indicator Dye, will help you keep track of where you have sprayed. Vision Pro Max will dye your solution blue so you can see exactly where you have applied your herbicide.

Add 0.10 oz. of Vision Pro Max Indicator Dye per 1 gallon of solution. 

To mix, fill the sprayer with half the water, then pour in the proper amount of Eraser 41% Glyphosate. Next, pour in the remaining half of the water. Add the Vision Pro Max Indicator Dye and agitate the spray tank until well-mixed.

Step 2: Apply Eraser 41% to the Zoysia Grass

Once mixed, spot-treat your lawn where the Zoysia Grass is concentrated.

Since Eraser 41% Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide, it is recommended to use a shield, such as a cardboard box. This will help block the spray from contacting the desired vegetation. 

Use a fan or cone spray pattern to ensure the leaves are fully coated, and spray the weed to the point of wet but not runoff.

It is best to apply when temperatures are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit on a warm, sunny day. This will enhance zoysia grass control.

Most treated weeds show initial symptoms in 2 to 4 days and complete kill in 1-2 weeks. Hard-to-control weeds that are not completely dead in 4 weeks may require a second application.

Prevention

Prevention is the best cure for Zoysia grass, as it can be stubborn. Not every homeowner has the time or patience to deal with Zoysia grass, which is exactly why every homeowner must take certain steps to prevent it from returning after getting rid of it:

• Keep your grass trimmed and well-maintained with regular mowing at heights of 3 inches or more to encourage better root growth so your desired grass prevents Zoysia grass from thriving.
• Apply fertilizer at the best times (ideally in the fall) for your lawn to keep the desired turf thick and lush and prevent Zoysia Grass from taking over.
• Water the grass deeply yet infrequently. We recommend once a week at a rate of 1 inch of water early in the morning so it has enough absorbed into the soil. 
• Rake and dethatch your lawn to improve aeration and address issues like soil compaction and poor drainage.

Key Takeaways

What is Zoysia Grass?

• Zoysia grass is desired in some areas of the country, but where it is not wanted, it can be an ugly sight and difficult to eliminate.

How to Get Rid of Zoysia Grass

• If Zoysia grass has appeared on your lawn, we recommend a post-emergent spot treatment with Eraser 41% Herbicide.

Preventing Zoysia Grass Reemergence

• To prevent Zoysia grass in the future, we recommend proper lawn care maintenance that addresses soil compaction, drainage issues and nitrogen rates to keep your turf strong and choke out the weed.