A lush, healthy Zoysia lawn is a point of pride for any homeowner. This dense, resilient grass type is known for its ability to withstand heat and drought, but it still requires the right nutritional support to truly thrive. Choosing the correct fertilizer is not just about encouraging green growth; it’s about building a robust root system that can endure seasonal stress and outcompete weeds.
With so many options on the market, from specialized seasonal blends to versatile year-round feeds, finding the perfect match for your Zoysia can be a challenge. This roundup simplifies your search by highlighting eight of the best fertilizers tailored to meet the specific needs of Zoysia grass, ensuring your lawn remains the envy of the neighborhood throughout the year.
Our Top Picks for Zoysia Grass Fertilizer
- Scotts Turf Builder Starter Fertilizer
- Espoma Organic Fall Winterizer
- Advanced 16-4-8 Balanced NPK Lawn Food
- Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed
- GreenView Fairway Formula Lawn Fertilizer
- Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action
- Milorganite Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
- The Andersons PGF Balanced 10-10-10 Fertilizer
Scotts Turf Builder Starter Fertilizer
When establishing new Zoysia grass from seed, sod, or plugs, a strong start is critical. Scotts Turf Builder Starter Fertilizer is specifically designed for this purpose, providing the essential nutrients needed for rapid establishment and development. Its high-phosphorus formula, with a 24-25-4 ratio, is engineered to promote vigorous root growth, which is the foundation of a durable and healthy lawn.
This fertilizer helps new grass grow up to 70% thicker and 35% quicker compared to unfed grass. By focusing on root development, it ensures your young Zoysia can better access water and nutrients from the soil, leading to a more resilient turf that can handle environmental stress. It’s the ideal first step for anyone looking to fill in bare spots or establish a completely new Zoysia lawn.
Espoma Organic Fall Winterizer
Preparing your Zoysia grass for the colder months is essential for its survival and spring recovery. Espoma Organic Fall Winterizer is a natural and organic lawn food formulated with this exact goal in mind. Its 8-0-5 analysis provides a boost of organic nitrogen and extra potassium, which helps strengthen grass roots and improve overall winter hardiness.
This product is designed to help your lawn recover from summer heat and drought stress while promoting a quicker green-up when spring arrives. Being environmentally safe, it won’t burn your lawn or leach harmful chemicals into the soil. It’s an excellent choice for the eco-conscious homeowner who wants to build a stronger, healthier Zoysia lawn naturally.
Advanced 16-4-8 Balanced NPK Lawn Food
For a versatile and effective liquid feed during the growing season, consider Simple Lawn Solutions’ Advanced 16-4-8 fertilizer. This balanced NPK ratio is ideal for providing Zoysia grass with the nutrients it needs for both greening and growth. The liquid formulation ensures that nutrients are readily available for quick absorption by the grass blades and roots.
This concentrate is enhanced with seaweed and fish, offering a blend of high-quality, feed-grade ingredients that nourish the lawn thoroughly. Its easy-to-use design allows for simple application with a hose-end sprayer, making it a convenient option for targeted feeding. This product is a great way to give your Zoysia a fast-acting nutrient boost throughout the spring and summer months.
Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed
This two-in-one solution from Scotts is designed to tackle fall lawn care in a single application. The WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed acts as both a fertilizer to strengthen your Zoysia grass before winter and a weed killer to eliminate pesky broadleaf weeds like dandelion and clover. By controlling weeds in the fall, you reduce competition for nutrients, allowing your grass to store more energy.
Applying this product in the fall helps your lawn build stronger, deeper roots for improved winter hardiness. This leads to a healthier, better-prepared lawn that can bounce back more vigorously in the spring. It’s a strategic choice for homeowners looking to address weed problems while simultaneously providing essential seasonal nutrition.
GreenView Fairway Formula Lawn Fertilizer
For a premium, long-lasting feeding solution, GreenView Fairway Formula is an outstanding option. This fertilizer is designed to green and thicken your Zoysia lawn with a blend of both immediate and controlled-release nutrients. This dual-action formula provides an initial boost and then continues to feed your grass for up to 12 weeks, promoting sustained and even growth.
Its non-burning formula makes it a safe choice for Zoysia, even during periods of warmer weather. It works with all turf types and can be applied anytime grass is actively growing, offering great flexibility for your lawn care schedule. If you’re looking for a set-it-and-forget-it fertilizer that provides consistent results, this product is a strong contender.
Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action
Lawns in the southern United States face unique challenges, and Zoysia grass is a popular choice for this region. Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action is a specialized product that addresses three common needs at once: it feeds the lawn, kills weeds, and helps prevent future weed growth for up to three months. This comprehensive formula is tailored for southern grass types, including Zoysia.
By combining fertilization with pre- and post-emergent weed control, this product simplifies your lawn care routine. It helps nurture thick, green grass while eliminating unwanted weeds like dollarweed and clover. This all-in-one approach is perfect for the busy homeowner who wants to maintain a beautiful Zoysia lawn with minimal effort.
Milorganite Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
Milorganite is a beloved classic among organic lawn enthusiasts. This slow-release nitrogen fertilizer is derived from recycled microbes, making it an environmentally responsible choice. It provides a steady, gentle feeding that won’t burn your Zoysia grass, even in the hottest weather, making it exceptionally safe to use.
Beyond its 6% nitrogen content, Milorganite contains iron, which promotes a rich, deep green color in your lawn without forcing excessive growth. Its non-leaching formula feeds the grass gradually over time, improving soil health and encouraging strong root development. For those seeking a reliable, organic fertilizer that delivers consistent results season after season, Milorganite is a top-tier selection.
The Andersons PGF Balanced 10-10-10 Fertilizer
For a truly balanced and comprehensive lawn food, The Andersons PGF Balanced 10-10-10 Fertilizer is an excellent choice. This product provides equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, offering a complete nutritional profile for your Zoysia grass. What sets it apart is the inclusion of essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, and manganese, which are often overlooked in standard fertilizers.
These micronutrients play a vital role in plant health, supporting everything from chlorophyll production to enzyme activity. This granular fertilizer is designed to promote uniform growth, strong roots, and overall turf vitality. It’s a professional-grade option for the homeowner who wants to ensure their Zoysia lawn receives a perfectly balanced diet for optimal health and appearance.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Fertilizer for Zoysia Grass
Choosing the right fertilizer for my Zoysia lawn isn’t just about picking a bag off the shelf; it’s about understanding what this specific type of grass needs to thrive. Zoysia is a tough, warm-season grass, but it has particular nutritional demands that change with the seasons. I’ve learned that the key to a healthy, dense, and green lawn is matching the fertilizer to the grass’s growth cycle.
First, I always look at the N-P-K ratio, which stands for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. For Zoysia, nitrogen is the star of the show. It’s what promotes that lush, green leaf growth I’m after. I typically look for a fertilizer where the first number (Nitrogen) is the highest, like a 15-0-15 or a 16-4-8. Phosphorus (the middle number) is less critical for established lawns as it mainly supports root development, which is more of a concern for new sod or seed. In fact, many areas have restrictions on phosphorus because it can run off into waterways, so I always check my local ordinances.
Next, I consider the type of nitrogen used. I prefer fertilizers with a good portion of slow-release nitrogen. This is a game-changer. Instead of giving the grass a huge, rapid burst of growth (which means more mowing for me), slow-release formulas feed the lawn gradually over several weeks. This leads to more even, sustained growth and reduces the risk of burning the grass. It’s a much more set-it-and-forget-it approach that fits my schedule.
Timing is everything. I feed my Zoysia lawn when it’s actively growing, which is in the warm months of late spring and summer. I apply the first feeding in late spring, after the grass has fully greened up from its winter dormancy. I follow up with another application in the middle of summer. I avoid fertilizing too early in the spring or too late in the fall, as this can promote tender growth that’s vulnerable to cold damage or disease.
Finally, I think about the product form. Granular fertilizers are my go-to because they are easy to spread with a broadcast spreader, ensuring even coverage. I always make sure to water the lawn immediately after applying granular fertilizer to help the granules break down and carry the nutrients to the soil. Liquid fertilizers can work too, but they often require more frequent applications. For me, finding the right balance of nutrients, release type, and timing is the secret to selecting one of the 8 best fertilizers for Zoysia grass for a healthy lawn that will work for my yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to fertilize Zoysia grass?
The best time to fertilize is when the grass is actively growing, which for Zoysia is during the warm seasons. I aim for my first application in late spring, once the lawn has completely exited winter dormancy and is consistently green. I then do a second application in the middle of the summer. It’s crucial to avoid fertilizing too early in spring, as this can promote weed growth, and too late in fall, as it can interfere with the grass’s natural hardening-off process before winter.
Can I use a “weed and feed” fertilizer on my Zoysia lawn?
I am very cautious with “weed and feed” products. While they can be convenient, the herbicide in them must be labeled as safe for Zoysia grass. Some common broadleaf herbicides can damage or kill Zoysia. I prefer to handle fertilization and weed control separately. This gives me more control over each process and allows me to target specific weeds without risking the health of my entire lawn.
How often should I water after fertilizing?
Watering is a critical step after applying granular fertilizer. I always water my lawn thoroughly immediately after spreading the fertilizer. This action, known as “watering in,” helps dissolve the fertilizer granules and moves the nutrients down into the soil where the roots can access them. It also helps prevent the fertilizer from sitting on the grass blades, which can cause leaf burn. A good, deep watering is much better than a light sprinkle.
What is the ideal N-P-K ratio for Zoysia grass?
For an established Zoysia lawn, I look for a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen and potassium but low in phosphorus. A ratio like 15-0-15 or 16-4-8 is often a great fit. The high nitrogen supports strong, green top growth, while the potassium helps with overall plant hardiness, drought tolerance, and disease resistance. The low phosphorus is usually sufficient since established lawns rarely need a large phosphorus boost.
Why did my fertilizer burn my Zoysia grass?
Fertilizer burn usually happens from over-application or applying fertilizer to a wet lawn. When I apply too much, the high salt concentration in the fertilizer can literally pull water out of the grass blades, causing them to turn yellow or brown. To prevent this, I always use a calibrated spreader to apply the correct amount and ensure the grass is dry when I spread the fertilizer. I then water it in deeply right afterward to dilute the concentration and move it into the soil. Following the instructions on the bag for the 8 best fertilizers for Zoysia grass for a healthy lawn is the simplest way to avoid this issue.