Zoysia Sod in Palm Beach County
Zoysia Sod Installation
Dense, plush turf that thrives in Florida heat and partial shade—paired with meticulous prep, same-day cut & install, and concierge after-care.
Why Florida homeowners choose Zoysia
Zoysia is a warm-season turf with dense, fine-to-medium leaves that create a lush, “outdoor carpet.” It tolerates Florida heat, a range of soils, partial shade, salt spray, and foot traffic better than most warm-season grasses—and its thick canopy naturally helps resist weeds.
Upsides
- Luxurious, dark-green look; soft under bare feet.
- Good in sun to part shade; coastal tolerant.
- Dense sod crowds out many common South Florida weeds.
Considerations
- Slow growth = slower recovery from damage.
- Can build thatch if over-fertilized or cut too low.
- In cool/wet spells, watch for large patch; monitor pests like billbugs/webworms. Proper mowing/watering minimizes issues.
Quick comparison — Florida-relevant traits
| Cultivar | Shade | Drought | Salt | Cut height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire | Good (5–6h) | Good | Good | 1.5–2.5″ | Watch for large patch |
| Emerald | Excellent (4–5h) | Good | Moderate | 1–2″ | Fine texture; sharp blades |
| Zeon | Excellent (~4h) | Good | Good | 0.5–2″ | Gorgeous; monitor disease |
| Innovation | Good | Good | Good | 1–2″ | New; FL data growing |
| JaMur | Good | Good | Good | 1.5–2.5″ | Fast to establish |
| Palisades | Good | Excellent | Good | 1.5–2.5″ | Top drought performer |
| CitraZoy | Good | Good | Good | 1–2″ | Resistant to large patch |
| Icon | Good | Good | Excellent | 1.5–2.5″ | Coastal; low thatch |
In-depth cultivar notes for Florida
Empire — adaptable, dense, homeowner-friendly
Fast-establishing Z. japonica that tolerates varied soils and light shade. Dense canopy helps suppress weeds; survives drought by going dormant and re-greening with rain/irrigation.
What to Monitor: susceptible to large patch during cool/wet periods; monitor hunting billbugs and nematodes in sandy soils. Avoid scalping below ~1.5″ and excessive N that accelerates thatch.
Emerald — fine “show lawn” with solid shade tolerance
Classic fine-textured hybrid (japonica × pacifica) prized for deep green color and density. Performs well in partial shade; good winter hardiness among fine types.
What to Monitor: can thatch; prone to large patch and occasional dollar spot under low fertility. Keep blades sharp; never remove more than ⅓ per cut; verticut if the lawn feels spongy.
Zeon — ultra-fine, soft, and shade-friendly
Gorgeous matrella-type with a silky feel and excellent performance in filtered light (~4–5 hours). In Florida’s humidity, be proactive on disease during peak pressure.
What to Monitor: large patch in cool/wet spells; dollar spot if under-fed. Maintain with a sharp rotary or reel; don’t allow it to get puffy between cuts.
Innovation — medium-fine hybrid, promising balance
Newer matrella×japonica hybrid (2017). Finer than Empire, easier than ultra-fines. Good general tolerance; notable winter hardiness though Florida data is still maturing.
What to Monitor: Treat like other zoysias until local disease/pest data is fuller; monitor for patch disease in spring/fall.
JaMur — plush, fast to establish, versatile
Vigorous Z. japonica that fills in quickly and handles mixed light. Dense, horizontal habit competes well with weeds once established.
What to Monitor: Similar disease profile to Empire (watch large patch). Keep blades sharp to avoid fraying tips.
Palisades — upright “workhorse” with standout drought performance
Coarser japonica with deeper roots and faster recovery. Shines in low-irrigation situations; tolerates a slightly higher cut.
What to Monitor: Monitor large patch; billbug vigilance like other coarse zoysias. Don’t over-fertilize to avoid excessive growth/thatch.
CitraZoy — UF/IFAS-bred for Florida; patch-resistant
Developed in Florida for Florida. Strong establishment, good wear, and notably high resistance to large patch in trials; keeps color longer into cool seasons.
What to Monitor: Can show minor leaf spot; otherwise a lower-fuss option among zoysias.
Icon — coastal specialist; very high salt tolerance
Australian hybrid (macrantha × japonica) built for tough coastal sites. Dense sod, low thatch tendency, and fewer disease issues observed in trials.
What to Monitor: Average shade needs (prefer 6h sun). Treat pests as you would Empire unless local issues dictate otherwise.
What to expect
Our Zoysia installation process
- Site prep & grading. Remove tired turf/weeds, correct grades, and fine-rake for tight seams and drainage.
- Soil tune-up. Amend for pH/rooting as needed, then water-in to settle.
- Same-day cut & install. Fresh harvest, tight staggering, roll for contact, and edge cleanup.
- Starter program. Wetting agent + starter nutrition appropriate to season and soil.
- After-care coaching. Simple watering + first-mow plan, and we stay available for questions.
Need HOA/gated access? We handle vendor approvals, COIs, and windowed scheduling.
Tips for choosing a Zoysia in Florida
Sun vs. shade
Drought & irrigation
Maintenance style
Site challenges
Care basics for a happy Zoysia lawn
Watering (weeks 0–3)
- Days 0–7: Keep sod consistently moist without puddles.
- Days 8–14: Taper to 1× daily or every other day as roots grab.
- Days 15–21: Transition to deeper, less frequent sets (~1″/week incl. rain).
Mowing
- First mow when firmly rooted (~10–14 days); never lift seams.
- Maintain most zoysias at 1.5–2.5″. Reel-capable fine types can run lower on smooth sites.
- Sharp blades reduce fray/browning; vary direction.
Nutrition & health
- Light starter; build to a balanced program after 4–6 weeks.
- Disease: Large patch can flare in cool, wet spells—avoid overwatering and rotate fungicides if needed.
- Pests: Monitor for billbugs/webworms; report thinning or tug-test failure early.
Zoysia sod — quick answers
How much sun does Zoysia really need?
Most cultivars are happy with ~4–6 hours of direct sun. Morning sun with light afternoon shade is excellent; deep, all-day shade is challenging for any warm-season turf.
What’s the best mowing height?
Start at 2″ after rooting and adjust between 1.5–2.5″ for most lawns. Fine-bladed types (e.g., Zeon, Innovation) can be run lower with a reel if the site is smooth.
Does Zoysia handle foot traffic?
Yes—dense growth and stolons/rhizomes recover well. Keep blades sharp and avoid scalping; occasional aeration helps manage thatch on high-use lawns.
What issues should I watch for?
In cool, wet periods, large patch may show orange/brown rings. In warm months, watch for billbugs or sod webworms if areas thin. Reach out early—we can diagnose and correct quickly.
Get Zoysia sod in your city
Zoysia — Premium, Low-Maintenance Elegance
Thick, lush texture, drought-tolerant and slow-growing for minimal upkeep. Get a fast quote and expert installation plan today.