7 Best Fertilizers For Healthy Zoysia Grass

By: Ken Wilson

As beautiful as a Zoysia lawn is, this grass type requires proper upkeep and maintenance to keep them at its prime. That said, choosing the right fertilizer will make things easier for you.

Since it is a crowd-favorite grass type of many homeowners in the country, we've compiled a list of the best fertilizers to use for Zoysia grasses for your reference.

A 2 in 1 solution, the Hi-Yield Weed & Feed combines granular Trimec weed killer and a fertilizer (15-0-10). Although it's not considered the ideal fertilizer blend, this product is known to eliminate more than 200 common broadleaf weeds– while giving enough nutrients for your Zoysia grass.

Another benefit is that Hi-Yield offers an adequate amount of Nitrogen and Potassium for your Zoysia lawn.

Coming from the trusted Scotts brand, this double-action formula (weed & feed fertilizer) is highly reliable for Zoysia grass.

Given most weeds thrive during the spring, this product is a great fertilizer to use. Aside from Zoysia grasses, it is also effective for other standard lawn grasses like Bermuda, Fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass.

This fertilizer is also incorporated with weedgrip technology, helping you eliminate weeds on the lawn (even budding ones). With its new and improved formula, you can bask in the glory of a thick, thriving Zoysia lawn!

We know maintaining a lush, picturesque Zoysia lawn isn't a piece of cake. But with the right fertilizer, you may just make things a lot easier! The Simple Lawn Solutions Lawn Food is an organic liquid fertilizer suitable for Zoysia lawns. Thanks to its effectiveness, it is considered one of the most used Lawn foods in the country.

It has a vertical and lateral action move that improves the height and thickness of your Zoysia grass. The premium feed ingredients also improve the soil's mineral content to make it a better planting bed for Zoysia grasses.

This product is also suitable for other grass types, including Bahia, Centipede, St. Augustine, and Ryegrass. It is also made available in a Ready-To-Spray formula to make the application a breeze.

For the last 70 years, the Andersons brand has revolutionized the gardening and lawn care industry. Professional Grade Fertilizer (PGF) is an excellent product to use if you want to create beautiful Zoysia grass landscapes.

In particular, it has a 16-4-8 (4-1-2) NPK ratio and Humic DG for pH level balancing and a gradual release of nutrients. It is available in 18 or 40-pounds packs, depending on your needs. Since it has microparticles (superfine), you can count on it to perform the same as other leading fertilizers in the market at a lesser quantity.

Important Note: Ensuring the lawn food is evenly distributed is crucial. After application, the Zoysia grass will be fed for up to 8 weeks. Additionally, it will also work usually regardless of the season.

What homeowners love about the product is its low nitrogen strength and gradual release of nutrients.

Organic fertilizer options for Zoysia grass don't have to be boring. The Milorganite 0636 nitrogen fertilizer, in particular, is renowned for its fertilizing capabilities even without potassium. It is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, 4% iron, and other vital nutrients to ensure optimal grass growth.

The downside? Some homeowners aren't fond of the smell of this fertilizer when applied to the grass. But, it only proves that it is a pure, organic product. It has no artificial elements that can burn the Zoysia grass.

Additionally, this fertilizer has a 6-4-0 NPK ratio, which signifies suitable for grass feeding. Its formula is composed of recycled nutrients from water reclamation processes.

A 36 lbs. bag can provide up to 2500 sq. ft. coverage. After application, grass growth and root development will continue for the next ten weeks for the slow-release. This means you don't need to worry for the entire spring or fall.

What homeowners love about the product:

  • 100% organic fertilizer for Zoysia grasses
  • It has a slow release to keep the lawn green for the entire season
  • Meets EPA standards, making it safe for application on grasses

GreenView is another famous brand when it comes to lawn fertilizers. If you want a lawn that resembles a thick, soft carpet– you can count on this fertilizer to help you achieve a beautiful yard for your home.

If your property is situated in regions with heavy winters (dormant grasses), this fertilizer is considered the best option. You'll be surprised at the condition of your Zoysia grass in the spring after applying it during the fall.

Since it has ample nitrogen, it can feed the roots for long weeks. The 63% slow-release formula allows for a steady flow of essential nutrients for 12 weeks or three months. The Zoysia air-powered fertilizer is made available in two different sizes, 16.5 lbs. to cover 5,000 sq. ft. and 33 lbs. for 1,0000 sq. ft. coverage.

What homeowners love about the product:

  • Equipped with maximum slow-release formula (keeps lawn green for up to 12 weeks)
  • Rejuvenates brown patches into lush, green ones

You might be wondering about the authenticity of Super Juice products nowadays. Well, it does sound too good to be accurate at some point! If someone were to tell you that 13.6 lbs. of lawn food can cover 1 acre of your lawn, you might think they're ripping you off.

You can first start by considering the Super Juice All In One Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer as a supplement fertilizer instead of a regular fertilizer type. It doesn't provide the same results as other standard lawn food products, but you'll have a better outcome if you use it simultaneously.

What homeowners love about the product:

  • It improves the lawn soil's organic content, structure, and tolerance.
  • It also contains 1.20% non-plant food ingredients (humic acid & sea kelp), which improves the nutrient uptake of Zoysia grasses.

Even though Zoysia grasses have relatively easy maintenance, choosing the right fertilizer will ensure your lawn will grow to its utmost potential. Keep in mind that nitrogen and potassium are the crucial ingredients in selecting a fertilizer and some phosphorus for growing grasses.

(Related: Ant Control, Weed Solutions and Zoysia Care for Southwest Florida Homeowners This Third Week of November)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much fertilizer should I apply to Zoysia?

Three to four pounds of nitrogen every growing season is recommended. Keep in mind that all fertilizer measurements are in square feet per 1,000. Most lawns will require three applications throughout the year. Any fertilizer application can include pesticides, pre-emergents, post-emergents, and soil enhancers.

For application rates and time frames, always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Excess fertilizer application to a lawn can result in scorching, burning, and irreversible damage. Whenever there is a drought or other external stressors, it is never a good idea to fertilize a lawn.

Does Zoysia grass need to be fertilized?

In the summer, Zoysia grass can withstand extreme heat. It can also survive during droughts. However, the grass color faints. Zoysia grass fertilizer is required to promote proper growth and root development. It aids the grass in shining brightly and keeping it green even in adverse conditions.

The grass cannot be nourished appropriately only by soil. Fertilizers, on the other hand, meet the requirements for essential nutrients. As a result, this grass requires fertilization.

Is it possible to over-fertilize Zoysia?

Giving more fertilizer to Zoysia does not mean it will become healthier. Overfertilization of Zoysia may hamper its development and weaken its roots. The whole idea is devastating because you may need to mow the lawn over again, and it can cause more thatch build-up.

About the author 

Ken Wilson

Long time career in the home services industry from remodeling to patio construction. Currently residing to in SWFL and active contributor to multiple home & garden publications.