Zoysia tenuifolia or Mascarene Grass: Planting, Growing and Care

Botany

As its vernacular name suggests, Zoysia tenuifolia, also called Mascarene grass, originates from the Mascarene Islands, an archipelago in the southwest Indian Ocean comprising Réunion, Mauritius, Mayotte, Madagascar, the Comoros and the Seychelles. Needless to say, this small creeping grass has semi-tropical origins. Zoysia tenuifolia therefore thrives in sufficiently warm areas due to its sensitivity to cold.

This herbaceous perennial plant, used as an ornamental lawn in our latitudes, owes its name to the Austrian botanist Karl von Zois (1756-1800). As for the term “tenuifolia”, it means “with small leaves” in Latin. A term that perfectly suits this grass from the Poaceae family, which offers very fine, short foliage with a velvety texture and dense growth. Thanks to this dense foliage and running rootstocks (equivalent to those of couch grass!), Zoysia tenuifolia is considered a perfect alternative to traditional lawn.

Zoysia tenuifolia forms a dense, undulating carpet

Indeed, it forms a very dense ground cover, with small tufts of bristly leaves, spreading 40 to 50 cm wide without ever exceeding 5 to 10 cm in height. This grass displays a very spring-like soft green colour. In winter, in regions where temperatures can drop to -5°C, it tends to yellow. But from March onwards, at temperatures above 15°C, it resumes its growth and regains its beautiful green colour. However, with its hardiness not exceeding -10 to -12°C, it can only grow in a wide Mediterranean perimeter and along the Atlantic coast.

With rather slow growth, this stoloniferous grass forms a ground cover that becomes denser with trampling. The more you walk on it, the denser its long, fine, flat, slightly curved leaves become!

Sold in buckets (at a rate of 7 to 10 plants per m2), Zoysia tenuifolia forms a fine, soft-to-the-touch carpet, slightly bumpy with small mossy domes. From a distance, it resembles a green sea rippling with gentle waves. It also adds a Japanese touch to gardens where it is planted in 1 or 2 years. Due to its success as a lawn, Mascarene grass is now available in rolls or turf. With this configuration, Mascarene grass will have a flatter appearance, closer to that of an ordinary lawn.

Below -5°C, the bright green blades of Zoysia tenuifolia tend to yellow. But with the arrival of spring, they green up again

Nevertheless, Zoysia tenuifolia far surpasses all other lawns in terms of qualities and properties. Characteristics that make it an excellent solution in this period of climate warming. Indeed, its resistance to heat and drought allows it to cover an area with water needs significantly lower than those of a normal lawn. Water consumption for watering Mascarene grass is reduced by 50%. It is therefore an ecological alternative to replace lawns in regions with hot climates, lacking rainfall, and subject to water restrictions.

The other advantage of this grass lies in its relatively slow growth. Thus, mowing is spaced out, or even optional to achieve a tufted carpet effect. It is mainly in areas with some rainfall that it will need to be mowed once or twice a year.

From summer to autumn, this grass may produce insignificant flowering in inflorescences composed of tiny yellow flowers.

The best species

While Zoysia tenuifolia, also known as Zoysia matrella, is the most readily available variety—now widely offered by landscapers in regions with a mild climate—there are other, less common varieties. Zoysia japonica is gaining popularity: this perennial grass can reach up to 20 cm in height. Its deep root system allows it to withstand drought, and it can endure temperatures as low as -15°C. As for Zoysia macrantha, native to Australia, it is another perennial that forms an exceptionally dense tapetum.

Zoysia tenuifolia

Zoysia tenuifolia or Mascarene grass is the ideal solution for a lush green short grass meadow, requiring minimal watering or mowing

• Altura en la madurez 10 cm

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Planting

Adaptable—that’s the most fitting adjective to describe Zoysia tenuifolia. Indeed, this perennial running grass with vibrant green shoots thrives in all soil types, whether neutral, slightly alkaline, or slightly acidic, poor and dry, even sandy or stony. It even tolerates saline soils, making it ideal for coastal gardens. Moreover, it isn’t fazed by sea spray. Only waterlogged, poorly drained, or overly wet soils are unsuitable.

In terms of exposure, Zoysia tenuifolia prefers sunny or partially shaded spots. That said, it can grow in full shade, though it will spread less vigorously.

When to Plant?

The ideal time to plant Mascarene grass is in spring, from February-March to April, or alternatively in autumn, during September-October, though growth will be slower.

How to Plant?

To achieve a dense, lush meadow within a year, plant 7 to 10 buckets of Mascarene grass per square metre. Under favourable climate conditions, each young plant spreads up to 30 cm in a year. With fewer buckets, full coverage may take two years, as Zoysia tenuifolia has relatively slow growth.

Ensure the buckets are staggered in a quincunx pattern.

• Loosen the soil thoroughly
• Remove weeds carefully to prevent competition with Mascarene grass
• Rake the surface to level it
• Soak the root balls in a bucket of water
• Dig holes twice the size of the root balls
• Place the Zoysia tenuifolia root balls and backfill with the excavated soil
• Water generously.

What About in Pots?

Mascarene grass grows perfectly well in pots or planters for patios. Use high-quality compost over a layer of gravel or clay pebbles. For a fuller effect, plant two or three young plants, depending on the pot’s diameter.

Maintenance and Care

In the first year, and even the second year, Zoysia tenuifolia requires some care to achieve a perfectly homogeneous short grass meadow.

For the two years following planting, watering should be consistent and regular to maintain green colour and, most importantly, encourage the growth of young plants. After this period, watering is only truly necessary during extreme heat or drought. In regions with a moderate climate, watering remains facultative. In hot, dry climates, water should be supplied every 10 to 15 days.

In the first year, it is also important to weed the Mascarene grass carefully. Indeed, adventives create harmful competition for Zoysia tenuifolia. Once the grass is well-established and fully developed, weeding becomes unnecessary, as the density of the tillers prevents the germination of adventive seeds.

Fertilisation with a slow-release fertiliser is advisable once a year, at the beginning of spring. The process can be repeated in July or August.

Mowing is only required once or twice a year, typically in June and/or September.

Pests and Diseases

The Zoysia tenuifolia has no known pests or diseases.

Propagation

Mascarene grass propagates by dividing clumps in early spring. Simply select the largest and tallest clumps and remove a section using a tarp. The key is ensuring each fragment has stolons and young shoots. The grass sections should be replanted immediately on a flat surface, possibly enriched with compost.

The association

Zoysia tenuifolia is therefore an eco-friendly alternative for greening a grassy area, including a short grass meadow in a small garden. It will form a dense green tapetum, more or less bumpy depending on mowing frequency. It can also effectively cover a slope or rocky outcrop, fill gaps between paving stones on a path, or even between stepping stones.

zoysia tenuifolia can be used to turf small gardens as well as slopes

To add a splash of colour, Zoysia tenuifolia can be paired with other groundcover plants, ideal as lawn alternatives. For instance, Mascarene grass will look stunning alongside Achillea crithmifolia or Achillea odorata, which form dense tapetums with fine, downy foliage. The company of Thymus will also suit this grass, as will Phyla nodifflora, perfect for dry, trampled soils.

Mascarene grass can also be planted on green roofs.

To learn more: Which lawn alternative should you choose?