If you have Zoysia grass on your lawn, then you’re fortunate to have one of the best grasses for weed control. My neighbor has a really nice lush Zoysia lawn and deals with very few weeds. He mainly does this by always keeping his lawn healthy so that it forms that thick canopy that Zoysia is known for. But from time to time, weeds do pop up. So, let’s take a look at the 10 most common weeds you’ll find in your Zoysia grass.
Which Are the Most Common Weeds in Zoysia Grass? (The Short Answer)
The different types of weeds in Zoysia grass can be broken down into two main categories: broadleaf and grassy weeds.
This includes broadleaf varieties like:
- Dandelion
- Clover
- Prostrate Spurge
- Wild Onion
- Plantain
And grassy varieties such as:
- Crabgrass
- Goosegrass
- Dallisgrass
- Torpedograss
- Yellow Foxtail
A Closer Look At Common Weeds that Affect Zoysia Grass
Unfortunately, while your Zoysia lawn is one of the best grasses to combat weeds, it’s not going to be free of them forever. Zoysia needs water, sunlight, and good soil, which are also ideal conditions for weeds to thrive.
But since each weed has its own characteristics and control methods, knowing what to look for is the first step to preventing and controlling them. So, let’s look at 10 common weeds in Zoysia grass.
5 Common Broadleaf Weeds that Affect Zoysia Grass
You’ll spot broadleaf weeds in Zoysia grass right away. This is good news because the quicker you get to them, the easier it is to control them. Broadleaf weeds are rounded and sometimes produce flowers. Let’s take a look.
Dandelion – Taraxacum officinale
Of all the common weeds in Zoysia grass, Dandelions are probably the most well-known. Their bushy yellow flowers and fluffy white seeds are seen all over the United States. In fact, you see them in lawns so often that you might be wondering are Dandelions good for your lawn or bad? (I wrote a whole post on that subject). Dandelions have long, broad leaves that stick close to the ground.
Each plant sprouts one stem and one flower. Simply mowing over this stubborn weed won’t do the trick since its long taproot will make sure it survives no matter how many times you cut the top off. So, get out a weed puller and make sure to get the whole root system out.
Clover – Trifolium
Some blended grass seeds include Clover, so you’ll sometimes see this plant growing in lawns on purpose. But if you have Zoysia grass, chances are you don’t want Clover on your lawn.
Clover will grow in any bare spots, so it’s important to keep your Zoysia grass thick and lush to crowd out any weeds, including Clover. I like to lay sod or plant plugs in bare spots around my yard to help prevent weeds and keep my lawn looking healthy.
Henbit – Lamium amplexicaule
Another flowering weed you might see in your Zoysia grass is Henbit. You can tell it apart from other broadleaf weeds by its heart-shaped leaves and small purple flowers.
This is one weed that can quickly spread all over your Zoysia grass since each plant can produce up to 2,000 seeds. So, I would definitely make sure to use a clipping bag while mowing to avoid spreading seeds all over the yard.
Prostrate Spurge – Euphorbia maculata
You’ve probably seen Spurge growing in the cracks of sidewalks and concrete driveways, and maybe even in your Zoysia grass. Spurge has red stems and dark green leaves that form a mat over the ground.
If you’re used to controlling weeds by mowing over them, then this plan won’t work with Spurge because it grows so low to the ground that the mower will more than likely miss it. If you’re dealing with a small amount of Spurge, then pulling and digging them out is best.
What I really don’t like about Spurge is that you’ll get milky sap all over your hands if you happen to break a stem while pulling it out. Trust me, wear gloves.
Plantain – Plantago major
Now, if there’s one weed that will stick out like a sore thumb in your Zoysia grass, it’s Plantain. Another name for it is Lamb’s Tongue, which makes sense because that’s kind of what the long oval leaves look like. I like to keep my soil well aerated, especially in high-traffic areas, since Plantain likes to grow in compacted soil.
So, if you spot this weed in your Zoysia grass, then dig it out and avoid mowing over it since it can spread across the lawn by sticking to the mower blades.
5 Common Grassy Weeds that Affect Zoysia Grass
While broadleaf weeds are easy to see in your Zoysia grass, grassy weeds are a whole different story. These weeds camouflage pretty easily in the lawn, so you’ll have to be extra vigilant. Let’s go over 5 common grassy weeds in Zoysia grass.
Crabgrass – Digitaria
You’re probably wondering what this grass has to do with crabs. Well, it kind of looks like a crab. Crabgrass has coarse leaves that grow downwards like crab legs. It will easily take over any bare spots in your Zoysia grass. Come winter, you might think the Crabgrass is gone, but trust me, it will be back next growing season if you haven’t gotten rid of the roots.
Goosegrass – Eleusine
It might be hard to tell Goosegrass apart from Crabgrass. Goosegrass also grows outward along the ground and looks as if someone stepped on it. One key difference is that the stem of Goosegrass looks silvery towards the center of the plant.
The best way to prevent Goosegrass is to keep your Zoysia lawn thick and healthy. I’ve seen Goosegrass take over bare spots in yards, and before you know it, it’s spread all over the lawn since each plant can produce around 50,000 seeds.
Dallisgrass – Paspalum dilatatum
If you start noticing circular grassy clumps that grow in diameter, then you are likely dealing with Dallisgrass. Nearly everyone in the southern states has battled with this plant at some point, and your Zoysia grass is no exception.
Dallisgrass has a seed head that grows in a straight line and looks like wheat or rye. When small, it resembles Crabgrass, but it gets fuller and taller as it grows. Herbicides might be your only solution for getting rid of this stubborn weed.
Torpedograss – Panicum repens
Now, Torpedograss growing in your Zoysia lawn can be a real headache. This weed gets its name because its rhizome has a sharp and hard point that allows it to dig through weed barriers like landscape fabric.
You’re definitely familiar with Torpedo grass if you live in Texas or Florida, as this native Asian and African weed thrives in hot climates. I have a friend who treated Torpedograss in his Zoysia lawn with Quinclorac. It took several applications, but with persistence and patience, he was able to get rid of it.
Yellow Foxtail – Setaria pumila
If you live out west, then you’re probably familiar with Yellow Foxtail. This is an easy weed to identify because its bushy seed head resembles–you guessed it–a fox’s tail. You can’t miss the fluffy seed heads that grow on a long stem.
This type of weed grows in Zoysia grass in the summertime. At first, it kind of looks like Crabgrass, but it’s easy to tell them apart once the seed head forms. The best method to prevent Foxtail is to have a nice, thick lawn. I like to crowd out any weeds in my lawn by making sure my grass is always well-fed, watered, and mowed on schedule.
Leave a Reply