Zoysia vs. Bermuda Grass: A Comparison Guide

A lush lawn gives your family space to run, play yard games, and relax. And learning the key differences between Zoysia and Bermuda grass will help you make the best choice for your lawn and boost your home’s curb appeal. Zoysia and bermuda are durable warm-season grasses that thrive with the right conditions and maintenance, so read on to find out which best suits your yard.

Zoysia vs. Bermuda Grass: Key Differences

Wondering whether to plant Zoysia or Bermuda grass seed in your yard? The main distinction is that Zoysia has a higher tolerance for shade and drought conditions and is lower maintenance. On the other hand, Bermuda grass tends to sprout faster and cost less to plant. Consider testing your soil’s pH balance to determine its needs, and consider hiring a professional lawn care company to handle the choosing and planting process.

What Is Zoysia Grass?

Zoysia grass is vibrant green grass that's relatively easy to maintain. It's a warm-season and transitional grass that does best with lots of sunlight, although it can withstand some shade and cooler periods. It remains green from spring to the first fall frost and provides a dense turf for foot traffic and activity. Consider zoysia if you live in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 to 9.

Best for: 

• Yards that receive full sunlight

• Backyards that experience heavy foot traffic 

• Homes located in warmer climates with potential drought conditions

Pros of Zoysia Grass 

• Vibrant light to medium green color

• Prefers warmth and full sun but can handle some cooler temperatures and shade

• Dense growth, great for heavy foot traffic and lawn games

• Stays greener longer than other warm-season grasses

• Heat- and drought-tolerant

• Easy to maintain with regular watering and mowing

• Great for transitional climates

• Weed-resistant once established due to a thick growth pattern

• Adaptable to most soil types

Cons of Zoysia Grass 

• Takes two years to fully establish

• Costs more than other warm-season grasses because it must be planted as sod or plugs, not grass seed

• Turns brown during long periods of drought

• Considered invasive and can crowd other grasses if not edged

• Difficult to remove once rooted

• Susceptible to thatch issues

• Doesn’t thrive in shady yards

What Is Bermuda Grass?​

Bermuda grass is a medium to dark green grass that thrives in full sun and warm temperatures. Bermuda has a fast growth rate, so you'll need to mow it once or twice a week during peak growth season. You'll also want to edge your lawn, meaning create straight edges within your lawn, as it's a durable, strong-spreading grass. Consider Bermuda if you live in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 to 10, especially near the coast. Bermuda grass has a high salt tolerance, making it a great choice if you live near the ocean.

Best for:

• Homes located in coastal areas or near an ocean

• Homeowners who enjoy frequent lawn maintenance

• Golf courses and sports fields

Pros of Bermuda Grass 

• Thick, beautiful medium to dark green grass

• Costs less than other warm-season grasses, as you can plant it from seed, sod, or plugs.

• High durability with quick recovery, making it ideal for heavy foot traffic and lawn games

• Great in warm climates and near the coastline

• Thick, deep root system

• Adaptable to soils with pH from 6.5 to 8.0

Cons of Bermuda Grass 

• Requires consistent edging

• Needs maintenance such as aeration and fertilization

• Low cold- and drought-tolerance

• Not suitable for shady lawns or transitional climates

• Difficult to remove due to invasive spreading and deep rooting

• Susceptible to thatch issues

• Dormant period starts earlier and can last longer than other warm-season grasses

Zoysia vs. Bermuda Grass​

Zoysia and bermuda grass can give you a lush outdoor carpet for playing, lounging, and hosting barbecues. Your grass type should depend on your climate, how you plan to use the grass, and whether your yard has shade. If you’d like an expert’s opinion on the type of grass that’s best for your property, reach out to a local lawn service. They can help you weigh the pros and cons, and can even plant the grass for you. 

Here's a breakdown of zoysia vs. bermuda grass based on key factors to consider.

Color and Appearance​: Both

An established Zoysia lawn maintains a light to medium green color, depending on your specific species. Zoysia tends to stay greener longer than bermuda grass, keeping its rich hue from spring to late fall.

Zoysia grows in dense bunches made of thin blades that grow straight up. In most cases, Zoysia takes over any weeds and keeps them out, making your lawn look healthy and full.

Bermuda grass is medium to dark green when healthy. Some varieties of bermuda grass have a bluish-green hue. The blades stand on a slight angle and can look flat or somewhat bowed. Many golf courses and sports fields use Bermuda grass, thanks to its ability to recuperate quickly after foot traffic. But if Bermuda grass is planted in a shady area, such as near a fence line, the grass can become dormant and brown.

Durability: Bermuda

Bermuda and Zoysia grasses hold up well to heavy foot traffic and frequent activity, but bermuda is quicker to recover. There’s a reason why Bermuda grass is frequently used on sports fields. 

To Zoysia’s credit, it holds up better in low temperatures or with a lack of sunlight. Bermuda grass is more sensitive to weather changes and can lose its green color more easily. 

Price​: Bermuda

Bermuda grass tends to be less expensive since you can plant it as seed (or sod or plugs). You need to plant Zoysia from sod or plugs, and it can take at least two years to fully establish.

• Zoysia sod costs $0.40 to $0.60 per square foot on average. 

• Bermuda sod costs $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot.

• Bermuda grass seed only costs between $0.09 and $0.18 per square foot on average.

Maintenance​: Zoysia

Both grass types benefit from regular edging and lawn mowing. However, Bermuda grass tends to grow faster and serves better at a lower height, ½ to 1 1⁄2 inches, so it will need significantly more mowing than Zoysia.

Keep in mind that Zoysia is more resistant to shady areas than Bermuda grass, which benefits from more sunlight. Periodic fertilizing can help growth: Zoysia prefers lower nitrogen fertilizers, while Bermuda grass likes higher nitrogen content.

Shade Tolerance: Zoysia

Zoysia grass prefers full sun like bermuda does, but it can handle some shade (usually up to four hours per day). Bermuda grass doesn't fare well without full sun. If you’re planting it near a fence line, under trees, or in other shaded areas, expect your bermuda grass to brown and turn dormant.

Tolerance to Drought and Overwatering: Zoysia

Zoysia grass doesn't need more water than Bermuda grass, as they both need about 1 inch of water per week including rainfall. But Zoysia tolerates overwatering and underwatering better than Bermuda grass.

Residual dampness or drought can cause bermuda grass to suffer. If it's excessively wet for more than two days, it can develop root rot. And if there's a drought, Bermuda turns brown faster than Zoysia.

Soil Compatibility and pH Levels: Both

Zoysia and Bermuda grass grow well in a range of soil types and conditions. Zoysia thrives in sandy and loamy soils. And if you have soil with a high clay content, Zoysia grass will grow better than Bermuda grass.

Bermuda grass has a higher salt tolerance than Zoysia, making it ideal for coastline homes. Bermuda also has a wider pH range. It grows well in soils with a pH of 6 to 7, and can even tolerate 5.5 pH. Zoysia grass grows best in soils with a pH of 6-6.5.

Pest and Disease Resistance: Both

Both Zoysia and Bermuda grass can experience fungi growth and insects, such as billbugs and grub worms. But that's the case for most grass varieties. Maintaining a healthy lawn and removing thatch helps to keep these problems at bay.