St Augustine Or Zoysia Grass – The Difference and Which One Is Better

If your lawn was devastated by a hurricane, you are building a brand new property, or disease ravaged your turf; you have one thing in common. You need a new lawn. Florida offers a great climate for the growth of many turfgrass varieties, but there are a couple that are more locally prevalent. They are more common because of their great qualities and ease of successful growth, but these qualities and characteristics do differ. These two turfgrass varieties are St. Augustine and Zoysia. It is one of the most common decisions Florida property owners encounter, choosing between the two. St Augustine and Zoysia Grass, which one is better for your Florida landscape?

St Augustine Turfgrass: Well Rounded

We are pretty sure that you have heard of both turfgrass varieties, but St. Augustine is likely the most prominent of the two. It is known for being a dense turf that grows in a blue-green color. With this density, it has high salt tolerance and a propensity to stamp out weeds. Its ability to be easily grown is another contributing factor to the common use of St. Augustine. It is also very tolerant to both shade and drought conditions, making for a low-maintenance turf. Compared to Zoysia, blades will be much wider and their feel will be coarse rather than smooth. However, it is like Zoysia in its preference for sandy soil. Lastly, when it comes to the pests that you can expect to encounter with St. Augustine, all types of worms will be the largest potential threats.

Zoysia Turfgrass: Resistant to Everything

There are many sub-varieties within the Zoysia family, but one commonality is a high tolerance to drought, wear, and injury. It is a hardy turfgrass that can be used and abused, easily recovering through wear and tear. For longevity, Zoysia remains unbeaten compared to other Florida turfgrasses. In terms of growth patterns it grows much lower than St. Augustine, and thus is mowed to a shorter length. It is susceptible to chinch bugs and diseases such as brown, rust, and leaf spot. Another advantage of Zoysia is that it grows through both rhizomes and stolons, spreading above and belowground. Like most turfgrasses, Zoysia does better when fertilized and watered, but it will do well without either which is the appeal of this hardy turfgrass.

Which is Better?

So far we have established that St. Augustine and Zoysia are both great turfgrass options for your Florida property, and it really comes down to personal preference and unique circumstances. St. Augustine is better for a wide range of temperatures and sandy soil close to the coast. Zoysia does worse in the shade, but requires little maintenance and provides a lawn that can be used with little worry about potential damage. For a comprehensive consultation on which is better for your specific property needs, our team at Taylor Anthony would be happy to work with you. There is no wrong decision, but there is a better decision for your lawn. If it is St Augustine or Zoysia Grass, Taylor Anthony will be there to maintain both.

Commercial or Residential, Taylor Anthony is prepared to help you manage your landscape by providing the right solution for your situation, call us today at (904) 230-3386.