Zoysia grass is native to Asia, and it’s a warm-season grass. Therefore, it also works well for the hot regions of the US. It handles humidity, drought, and some cold well.
This means it is a versatile lawn grass. It is designed to spread below and above ground, so you have a denser lawn. Still, you need to fertilize it so that it grows lush.
You need the best fertilizer for zoysia grass. This guide talks about the 10 best products. At the end, we tell you which one we think is best, so that you can make the right decision.
Table of Contents
What Is the Best Fertilizer For Zoysia Grass?
Zoysia grass is an excellent option for many lawns. However, you need to select the right fertilizer. That way, the grass grows rampant and looks beautiful.
When choosing a fertilizer, there are a few considerations to ponder. For one, you need to know the best pH level, which is between 6.0 and 6.5 for Zoysia grass.
If you do not know your soil’s pH level, you can have it tested by your local agency. It is also possible to check the soil yourself with a testing kit. You can find them on third-party e-commerce websites, at local home improvement stores, and some nurseries.
Fertilizer often uses three base ingredients, which include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Usually, it is shortened to NPK (the element letters). These ratios are found as numbers on the packages of your fertilizer.
This ratio represents the amount of those three nutrients in percentages. The nitrogen (N) is needed to make the plant greener and grow more.
Phosphorus (P) encourages better root development. Then, you have potassium (K), which helps your plants withstand temperature changes and fight off disease.
You are going to find that Zoysia grass is quite dense already. It is designed to conserve water. That is one of the reasons it is used in areas with significant drought concerns.
This also means that it doesn’t require as much fertilizer as other grasses might. It is often safe to choose one with a lower NPK ratio, such as 16-4-8. You can also select fertilizers that are even lower, but you might have to use it more frequently.
Generally, other grass types are going to need more potassium and nitrogen. Zoysia grass tends to need a bit more nitrogen, but not as much potassium and phosphorus. The denseness of the grass means that it develops its roots well and isn’t as prone to disease.
The 10 Best Fertilizers For Your Zoysia Grass Lawn
We understand that it can be hard to read through all 10 products at once. If you know the brand, you can check out this helpful table to quickly get to the products about which you want to know more.
If you are looking for a complete lawn food that works for any grass type, the Simple Lawn Solutions brand has you covered. It features the perfect blend of your key macronutrients. The NPK ratio is 16-4-8.
This is a liquid food fertilizer for the lawn. It contains fish and seaweed. There are also many organic and natural ingredients.
Plus, there are no harsh chemicals included. Therefore, you do not have to worry about it harming your pets or children.
Of course, the product is easy to use and apply. Just spray it evenly over the entire lawn. One bottle of the product (32 ounces) can treat up to 3,200 square feet of lawn.
You are going to like the fact that the product is made in the US. Therefore, it conforms to all standards within the United States.
It works on any grass type. These include St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia. You can also use it on Bahia, Centipede, Ryegrass, and more.
Those who want a commercial-grade product are going to like this brand. It is still Simple Lawn Solutions, but it is designed for use on commercial properties. You can also use it on your home’s lawn.
With this product, you get maximum growth, color, and health. It comes with all of the vitamins and nutrients your lawn needs. This is a booster treatment, which covers 3,200 square feet.
It comes in a ready-to-use bottle with a hose-end sprayer. Plus, you can use it at any point in the growing season. This product primarily features a nitrogen and iron blend.
However, it also comes with chelated micronutrients and works on any lawn type. Use it on your Zoysia, Bermuda, and centipede grasses. It can also be used on St. Augustine, bluegrass, and palmetto.
There is no NPK ratio because it doesn’t contain phosphorus and potassium. Remember, this is not a complete fertilizer. It is to be used in conjunction with the fertilizer from Simple Lawn Solutions.
3. Ultimate Lawn Food Quality Liquid Fertilizer
The Ultimate Liquid Fertilizer is also from Simple Lawn Solutions. It has more phosphorus and potassium than some of the other brands. The NPK ratio is 3-18-18.
If you find that your zoysia grass is not growing well and has a disease, this might be the best choice. It is made using organic and natural ingredients. The pure liquid nutrients are safe and good for your lawn’s health.
There are no chemicals added, so there is no stress on the lawn. Plus, your children and pets can play on the grass after it is fertilized.
With this product, you can help the roots grow stronger and be healthier. It works on any grass type, including zoysia. You can also use it on Bermuda, Centipede, and others.
Of course, the goal is to provide essential nutrients and vitamins to your grass. That way, it lasts a long time. If you know that your grass has a potassium or phosphorus deficiency, it is time to get this product.
4. Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food
The Scotts brand is well-known for a good reason. It has a variety of fertilizers and other products to help the grass grow lush and beautiful. This product feeds and strengthens the grass so that it prevents future issues.
We could not find anywhere on the package where it listed the NPK ratio. This is a little disconcerting, as it tells you quickly if the product has the nutrients your lawn needs. Still, it claims to build deep, strong roots.
Most of the time, zoysia grass does not need as much help with the root system. Of course, this product also claims to help the lawn absorb more nutrients and water.
You are going to find that this product uses the all-in-one particle technology. This helps to provide more even feeding and a better green throughout. That indicates the fertilizer contains higher amounts of nitrogen.
Plus, you can use it on any grass type. The product is not liquid and can cover about 5,000 square feet of lawn.
5. Scotts 44615A Green Max Lawn Food
Those who want to give their lawns plenty of nutrients are going to like the Scotts brand. It’s called Green Max, and it can make the grass greener in about three days. This also indicates that it has a lot of nitrogen in the mixture.
It’s a 2-in-1 formula, so it can feed the grass and provide it with plenty of iron. However, it does not contain a lot of phosphorus and potassium. There is no NPK ratio indication on the package.
Therefore, it may be best to use it as a supplement after you have already fertilized the lawn. If your yard doesn’t have an issue with a disease or a deficiency in potassium and phosphorus, you may not need as much of it.
The goal of this product is to build a thicker, greener lawn. Of course, this means that the turf is thickened and can help to prevent weeds from developing. There is a standard product and one designed specifically for people living in Florida.
6. Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass
If you have just planted your zoysia grass, you may want to consider a starter food for it. The Scotts brand is ideal. It can make sure that your new grass grows 35 percent quicker and 70 percent thicker than grass that is unfed.
You are going to get the new grass off to the best start because you are promoting a faster blade and root development. This product features an NPK ratio of 24-25-4. New grasses need more phosphorus and nitrogen than potassium.
You are going to find that this product works well for any type of grass. Of course, you can also use it on grasses that have already been established and growing for a while. It also is ideal for starting a new lawn and reseeding purposes.
To use it, you are going to need a spreader. Add the fertilizer to the spreader and run it over the lawn, being thorough and careful. The product can cover 5,000 square feet.
7. Super Juice All in One Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer
The Super Juice brand is a newer one and not as well-known. Still, we chose to include it here because it is an all-in-one lawn fertilizer. It’s balanced, complete, and comes dry. Just add the product to water!
Plus, you can use any hose-end sprayer you have lying around the garden shed. One bag of this product can treat an acre (43,560 square feet) at its full concentration rate.
If you use it on the full acre and concentrated, you get a 14-2-4 ratio. You can also use it at its half-strength and get a 7-1-2 NPK ratio. This way, it is going to treat two acres.
It doesn’t contain any biowaste or waste products. Keep in mind that this product cannot be shipped to California or South Dakota.
The bag itself is foil-lined and resealable. Therefore, you can use it even if you have a smaller lawn. Just store the bag in a dry, cool place until the next season.
8. Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
When it comes to fertilizer for zoysia, nitrogen is a must. The Milorganite brand features a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. It is organic, so it is safe to be used around your children and pets.
Generally, this product is used on golf courses. These lawns have to be lush and are cut quite low to the ground. This means that you can easily use this fertilizer for your lawn without fear.
While the blades of grass are greener, they aren’t going to grow as fast. This is beneficial for you because it means you don’t have to mow as often.
The NPK ratio is 6-4-0. There is no potassium in this product at all. As long as your grass doesn’t have any diseases, you can safely use it and see excellent results.
One bag of this fertilizer can treat up to 2,500 square feet. In Florida, however, the bag can treat up to 6,000 square feet. The slow-release formula doesn’t need to be put into water.
You use a spreader machine to sow the fertilizer along all of the grass. The instructions for people living in Florida are different than elsewhere.
9. The Andersons PGF Complete Fertilizer
If you’re looking for a regular fertilizer for the grass, then the Andersons brand is ideal. It’s a complete fertilizer that has the normal NPK ratio for zoysia grass (16-4-8).
You can choose between an 18-pound and 40-pound bag. The super-fine particles mean that you can use less of it and get the same square-footage as other brands. Plus, there is a more even distribution.
The higher nitrogen strength ensures that you have more particles for every square foot. This means your grass is going to be lush and beautiful.
Of course, the slow-release formula can feed your grass for a full eight weeks (two months). Therefore, you don’t use as much and can save money while ensuring that your grass looks healthy.
It also contains Humic DG to enrich the soil and ensure that the grass processes the nutrients better. This means that your grass is going to get everything it needs to thrive, even if the soil isn’t ideal.
When it comes to choosing a fertilizer, you want something safe. The Safer Brand is a lawn restoring product. It comes in a 25-pound bag.
This product only contains plant-based nutrients. There are no bio-solids or poultry waste included. Of course, there is no manure inside it, which means no odors.
The fertilizer only has nitrogen, but it does contain some iron, as well. Therefore, it is designed to help with the greening process. If your grass has a disease, you should use a different fertilizer with potassium.
Those who just want to have a greener lawn and know their grass is healthy can use this product. It can cover up to 5,000 square feet. Since it doesn’t contain phosphorus or salt, you don’t have to worry about it burning the plants.
Once it is applied, it is safe for your pets and children to be on the lawn. Plus, you can use it for new seeding and repair a current lawn.
When to Fertilize Zoysia Grass?
Timing is everything when it comes to fertilizer. When you are working with zoysia grass, it is especially important to fertilize at the right time of the season. The goal is for the lawn to be healthy, but you don’t want it to grow in excess.
The following guidelines can help you fertilize at the right time.
Mid-Spring – Zoysia grass is going to start turning green when the soil temperature is 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit consistently. Once the last frost is over, it’s about that time to begin fertilizing. Just make sure that the zoysia grass is 50 percent green or a bit more.
Usually, this happens in March or April. It’s best to choose a complete fertilizer with a slow-release formula.
Mid-Summer – It is optional to fertilize your zoysia grass in summer. However, it’s a good idea to do so if the grass isn’t dark green.
Assess the color and condition of your grass around the beginning of July. Again, you should use a complete fertilizer and a slow-release formula at this time.
Early Fall–In late August or early September, you want to fertilize the zoysia grass again. Continue using the same fertilizer you always have. You can also switch to lawn food that has no phosphorus and more potassium.
Consider an NPK ratio of 12-4-14 or 12-0-12. It is still a good idea to ensure that the plant food has a slow-release formula for the nitrogen so that the grass stays greener for longer.
Winter – You do not have to fertilize the zoysia grass in winter. If you do so, it could stimulate the grass and cause it to break its dormancy period. When the temperature warms up, it can start growing and is going to get damaged during the freezing temperatures.
How to Fertilize Zoysia Grass?
When it comes time to fertilize your zoysia grass, there is a particular way to do it. You can choose liquid or dry fertilizer. However, you are going to need the right spreading tools.
For liquid, you need a hose-end sprayer. Some products come complete with the sprayer. However, you may also have to dilute the liquid, so pay close attention to the instructions on the container.
If you’re working with dry fertilizer, you are going to need a spreader. This looks similar to a wheelbarrow with a hole in the bottom that flings the fertilizer along the grass.
Granular fertilizer can be broadcast using the spreader. This is not an exact science. Even the best spreader may have different calibrations and might be completely inaccurate.
They may also break or jam. Just keep that in mind if you plan to use a dry fertilizer that doesn’t need to be reconstituted.
Measure your lawn and calculate how much fertilizer you need to spread. Make sure that you get 1.5 pounds of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet. Many times, the manufacturer tells you how much coverage you get.
It’s best to spread as little as possible while maintaining an even pattern. Cover the whole lawn at the same speed to ensure that every part gets the same amount of fertilizer. Continue adding fertilizer to the spreader as needed.
Conclusion
When it comes to the best zoysia grass fertilizer, we think the Simple Lawn Solutions advanced quality liquid fertilizer is ideal. It comes in the 16-4-8 NPK ratio that most experts recommend. Plus, it is a concentrated spray that is easy to apply on the whole lawn.
While it is designed to be a complete fertilizer, you can also use it with the Commercial grade micronutrient booster from the same brand. Pairing these two products together is sure to help your lawn look its best for many seasons to come.
If your lawn is showing symptoms of a Phosphorus and Potassium deficiency, this Ultimate fertilizer (3-18-18) great for you. High Phosphorus & Potassium Lawn Food gives your lawn the nutrients it needs for strong root development, health, and strength.
If your lawn is not green and slow-growing, Simple Lawn Solutions Spring & Summer fertilizer (16-4-8) comes in. High Nitrogen Lawn Food gives your grass greening & growth.
I soded my lawn approx a year ago with Palisades Soysia. Looked beautiful. In the last 4 months it has thinned substantially under the trees. The grower said I need 4 hours of filtered sun per day. She said it isn’t the shade, but the acid dropping from the trees causing the problem. What do you recommend to correct the problem. I’ve applied Simple Lawn Solutions 4 times over the last 5 months. Some, but very little positive results. What do you recommend? HELP!!
I had the same exact issue with Zoysia Palisade grass that I put few years ago. I ended up getting rid of the tree so that grass can get the sun light it needs. It has been great since than.
Your issue is generally NOT acid dropping from the trees. Ideally if you can get a soil sample and send it to a University lab (usually $20-$25) it will tell you your pH level. Ideally for Zoysia you want to be around 6.0-6.5 on the pH scale. Too high or too low can lock up essential nutrients. You have Macro and Micro nutrients that are all important to growing healthy grass. In Shade turf tends to grow slower due to lack of enough sunlight which slows down the photosynthesis that ALL turf needs. Also, depending on where you live you can also be dealing with soil inconsistencies I.e too sandy, too much clay etc. both extremes can have different affects. and nutrients react differently. In totality your lawn can have variations in different areas. If it’s sandy, you need to add organic material, clay soils, you need to add organic material and typically break up or aerate the soil. Applying Humic Acid products is a great way for the average homeowner to improve soil quality of experience is lacking. I have Icon Zoysia and 21 years experience in lawn care. It’s tough to explain fully in a single reply but I hope this helps some.
I have Meyer Zoysia in the Midwest (St. Louis, MO). What is your recommendation for fertilizer, weed pre-emergent for Crabgrass, and the year round schedule you would use to apply all of this? What brands of fertilizer to use, and what brand of the pre-emergent for crabgrass would you use?
What is the difference between the Simple Lawn Solutions Spring & Summer fertilizer (16-4-8) and the Ultimate fertilizer (3-18-18)?
If your lawn is showing symptoms of a Phosphorus and Potassium deficiency, this Ultimate fertilizer (3-18-18) great for you. High Phosphorus & Potassium Lawn Food gives your lawn the nutrients it needs for strong root development, health, and strength.
If your lawn is not green and slow-growing, Simple Lawn Solutions Spring & Summer fertilizer (16-4-8) comes in. High Nitrogen Lawn Food gives your grass greening & growth.
I just put sod down in late April it’s palisade zoysia, how should I water and should I fertilize it.
I soded my lawn approx a year ago with Palisades Soysia. Looked beautiful. In the last 4 months it has thinned substantially under the trees. The grower said I need 4 hours of filtered sun per day. She said it isn’t the shade, but the acid dropping from the trees causing the problem. What do you recommend to correct the problem. I’ve applied Simple Lawn Solutions 4 times over the last 5 months. Some, but very little positive results. What do you recommend? HELP!!
I had the same exact issue with Zoysia Palisade grass that I put few years ago. I ended up getting rid of the tree so that grass can get the sun light it needs. It has been great since than.
Your issue is generally NOT acid dropping from the trees. Ideally if you can get a soil sample and send it to a University lab (usually $20-$25) it will tell you your pH level. Ideally for Zoysia you want to be around 6.0-6.5 on the pH scale. Too high or too low can lock up essential nutrients. You have Macro and Micro nutrients that are all important to growing healthy grass. In Shade turf tends to grow slower due to lack of enough sunlight which slows down the photosynthesis that ALL turf needs. Also, depending on where you live you can also be dealing with soil inconsistencies I.e too sandy, too much clay etc. both extremes can have different affects. and nutrients react differently. In totality your lawn can have variations in different areas. If it’s sandy, you need to add organic material, clay soils, you need to add organic material and typically break up or aerate the soil. Applying Humic Acid products is a great way for the average homeowner to improve soil quality of experience is lacking. I have Icon Zoysia and 21 years experience in lawn care. It’s tough to explain fully in a single reply but I hope this helps some.
I have Meyer Zoysia in the Midwest (St. Louis, MO). What is your recommendation for fertilizer, weed pre-emergent for Crabgrass, and the year round schedule you would use to apply all of this? What brands of fertilizer to use, and what brand of the pre-emergent for crabgrass would you use?