Zoysia tenuifolia Thiele

Common name(s): Velvet Grass, Korean Velvet Grass, Mascarene Grass, Japanese Velvet Grass

Family: Poaceae Synonym(s): Zoysia matrella var. pacifica,

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington

Leaves

Taken by Ken Harrington

Inflorescence

Taken by Unknown Photographer

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 5th August, 2025 at Mt Coot tha Botanical Gardens, Queensland

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Plant Properties

Origin(s)

Mauritius

Mascarene: Indigenous

Plant Type

Grass-Turf , Grass-Perennial , Grass-Spreading

Grass-Turf,

Grass-Perennial,

Grass-Spreading

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Tropical-Sub

Climate Range(s) - Tolerance

Oceanic, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub, Tropical

Oceanic,

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean,

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full, Shade - Light

Sun - Full,

Shade - Light

Habitat Range(s)

Garden, Grasslands, Forest - Grassy, Landscape, Open Woodlands

Garden,

Grasslands,

Forest - Grassy,

Landscape,

Open Woodlands

Habitat Zone(s)

Garden, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Lakes / Dams / Swamps, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Open areas, Plains, Ridges, Riparian areas, Rock crevices, Rocky, Scattered, Slopes, Well drained

Garden,

Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,

Heavy soils,

Lakes / Dams / Swamps,

Moist areas,

Moist Slopes,

Open areas,

Plains,

Ridges,

Riparian areas,

Rock crevices,

Rocky,

Scattered,

Slopes,

Well drained

Mature Height

75-100mm

Mature Width

1.5-2m

Plant Shape

Prostrate

Growth Rate

Slow

Life Span

15-30yrs

Leaf Properties

Colour (front)

Green Dark

Colour (back)

Green Dark

Shape(s)

Linear

Aroma

None

Texture (front)

Glabrous

Texture (back)

Glabrous

Leaf Length(s)

50-60mm, 60-70mm

50-60mm,

60-70mm

Leaf Width(s)

0.5-1mm, 1.5-2mm

0.5-1mm,

1.5-2mm

Margin

Entire

Flower Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Time(s)

Spring Early - Summer Mid

Flower Colour(s)

Brown-golden, Brown Light

Brown-golden,

Brown Light

Aroma(s)

None

Pollinator(s)

Wind

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Rhizome Stoloniferous

Fibrous,

Rhizome Stoloniferous

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Sand,

Hummus Rich,

Organic Matter

pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline

Condition(s)

Moist

Fertile , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained

Fertile,

Deep,

Shallow,

Well Drained

Salinities

None

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

None

Bird Attraction

None

Butterfly Attraction

None

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Retarding

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Moderate

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Snow Tolerance

None

Landscape Use

Good

Maintenance(s)

Pruning - Shaping

Special Purpose(s)

Tolerant-Low Foot Traffic, Erosion Control, Fire Retarding, Foliage-interesting, Garden-Alpine, Garden-Australian Native, Garden-Coastal, Garden-Cottage, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Informal, Garden-Meadow, Garden-Rock, Garden-Tropical, Garden-Woodland, Groundcover, Lawn, Lawn Substitute, Playground Friendly, Pond Edge, Sand Binder, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist, Soil Binder, Sunny Moist

Tolerant-Low Foot Traffic,

Erosion Control,

Fire Retarding,

Foliage-interesting,

Garden-Alpine,

Garden-Australian Native,

Garden-Coastal,

Garden-Cottage,

Garden-Courtyard,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Meadow,

Garden-Rock,

Garden-Tropical,

Garden-Woodland,

Groundcover,

Lawn,

Lawn Substitute,

Playground Friendly,

Pond Edge,

Sand Binder,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Dry,

Shady Moist,

Soil Binder,

Sunny Moist

Fertilising Requirements

FR5, FR6

FR5,

FR6

Wind Tolerance

Strong Winds

General Notes

A slow growing, warm season, fine bladed grass that thatches up into soft gentle mounds. An alternative for lawns or growing on slopes as a stabiliser as it is no mow and only grows to about 100mm high. Not really suitable for a high maintenace mowing schedule as it takes too long to grow back.

On well prepared medium 100-300mm deep of quality friable loam Z. tenuifolia can handle moderate foot traffic. As its slow growing planting plugs at 100-200mm spacings, will require a lot of hand weeding until it covers, therefore instant turf is a better alternative. Good borders around garden beds is a recommendation as it can easily invade the garden beds with its runners.

Named after an 18th century Austrian botanist Karl von Zois.