Zoysia tenuifolia

The Zoysia tenuifolia, commonly known as Mascarene Grass, is a small grass that thrives in dry summer regions and is an excellent alternative to turf. It has a low height and maintains its beautiful green colour in hot weather with little water needed. The grass is evergreen and forms a dense, undulating carpet that is easy on the eyes and feet. During winter, the foliage turns yellow due to the cold. This ground cover becomes shorter and denser underfoot, which minimises the need for mowing and watering.

Zoysia tenuifolia is a plant native to Asia and the Mascarene Islands. It is highly tolerant of various soil types, relatively hardy in well-drained soil (down to -12°C), resistant to intensive footfall, and requires less water than most traditional lawn species. As a member of the large family of Poaceae, it is commonly used to replace lawns in public spaces and private gardens, providing a practical solution to water management issues. In average climates, it only requires one to two mows per year, even less in hot and dry climates. Watering every 8 to 15 days in arid regions is enough to keep it looking good.

This low-growing perennial plant spreads gradually through trailing rhizomes that resemble those of couch grass. It typically grows up to 10-12 cm (3.9 - 4.7 in) tall and can reach a width of 50 cm (19.7 in). Each plant forms a small, dense tuft of very fine evergreen foliage that is a bright green colour. In colder temperatures, it goes dormant, and the foliage turns yellow. In milder climates, the plant remains green all year round. This grass doesn't produce seeds and only reproduces vegetatively through rhizomes that spread out from the tufts and colonise the surrounding soil.

The Mascarene Grass grows slowly, but it ages well without thinning out. It forms beautiful lawns that are very soft to the touch. To cover one square meter of ground in one year, use about 7 to 9 buckets if the growing conditions are optimal. This includes well-prepared, lightened, fertilised soil and regular watering. Zoysia carpets can be used to soften the lines of grassy paths, and it is capable of climbing slopes and small rocks. It beautifully embraces all the imperfections and contours of the soil, infiltrating the joints of a paving or a Japanese stepping stone. Use this small 'herb' to replace turf in sunny or semi-shaded garden areas. The deeper the Zoysia carpet is watered, the more regularly it is walked on, the less it is susceptible to weed competition. It can be combined with other low-maintenance ground covers like Achillea odorata in less frequented areas of the garden.