Manila Grass
Zoysia matrella
Also known as: Mascarene Grass
- Native to:
- Australia, Bangladesh, Borneo, Caroline Is., China, Cocos (Keeling) Is., Guam, Hainan, India, Jawa, Korea, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Marianas, Marshall Is., Myanmar, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Palau, Philippines, Solomon Is., South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Vietnam
Gihan Jayaweera
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Zoysia
- Species:
- Zoysia matrella
- USDA Symbol:
- ZOMA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 20 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Recovers well from fire by resprouting from stolons and rhizomes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Native to coastal regions, tolerates saline conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–21 days
- Notes:
- Typically propagated vegetatively via plugs, sprigs, or sod rather than seed. Seed germination requires warm soil temperatures above 70°F.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI