Zoysia tenuifolia Thiele
Common name(s): Velvet Grass, Korean Velvet Grass, Mascarene Grass, Japanese Velvet Grass
Plant Properties
Prostrate Leaf Properties
Linear 
Glabrous
Glabrous 
Entire 
Channelled 
Parallel 
Alternate & Spiralled 
Acute Narrowly 
Clasping Flower Properties
Root Properties
Fibrous,
Rhizome Stoloniferous 
Fibrous Soil Properties
Moist 
None Other Properties / Uses
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.
Propagation Notes
Fresh Seed
Viabilty:-
Seeds/gram:-
Field:- Finely tilled sandy loam with added organic matter
Nursery:- Premium Potting Soil
Field:- Spread the seed evenly over the area, with fertiliser and lightly rake in. Temperatures should be 20o+ for at least 60 days for best results. Keep the area moist for several weeks until after the seed has germinated and established well and new fresh blades of grass are visible.
Nursery:- Sow the seed evenly over the pot or propagating tray, cover lightly with potting soil. Place outside in a warm sunny position, or cold house, 20o+, keep moist.
Viable seeds/gram:-
Germination time:- 14 - 21 days, 20o+
Rhizomes
Plugs:- Select healthy sward. Dig up a block, 300 x 300mm. Cut the block into small squares approximately 30 x 30mm with a sharp serrated knife, Keep moist.
Rhizomes:- Select healthy sward. Dig up a block, 300 x 300mm. Pull / tease the rhizomes apart. Keep moist.
Field:- Finely tilled sandy loam with added organic matter
Nursery:- Premium Potting Soil
Field - Rhizomes:- Measure and grid out the area with a stringline between 100 - 300mm apart. With the corner of a spade or rake, create a shallow drill line, following the stringlines. Thinly spread the seperated rhizomes into the drill line. With the back of a rake, carefully backfill the drill line, covering the rhizome segments. Keep the area moist for several weeks until the rhizomes are shooting well and new fresh blades of grass are visible.
Field - Plugs:- Measure and grid out the area with a stringline between 100 - 300mm apart. Dig a shallow hole, at the intersection of each string line, and plant a plug, backfilling and brushing the soil off to allow some leaf exposure. Keep the area moist for several weeks until the plugs are shooting well and new fresh blades of grass are visible.
Nursery - Rhizomes:- Pot up the rhizomes, so they are just below the soil level. Place outside in a warm sunny position, 20o+ for at least 60 days for best results.
Nursery - Plugs:- Pot up the plugs, brushing off the soil from the top of the plug to reveal the leaf blades. Place outside in a warm sunny position, 20o+ for at least 60 days for best results.
Rhizomes will cover a larger area at a lower cost, but will require a lot more maintenance until full coverage is achieved. Coverage for plugs at 300mm spacing in lawn areas can be 2-3 years depending on growing season. Instant turf is probably the better way to cover an area. Plugs for potting up into 140mm pots a nursery situation can be smaller than 30 x 30mm.