Bermuda Grass vs Zoysia Grass
Two of the most popular warm-season grasses in Middle Georgia. Here is how they compare for real-world conditions in our area.
Overview
What This Comparison Covers
Bermuda and zoysia are the two most common lawn grasses in Middle Georgia, and homeowners often wonder which one is better. The honest answer is that neither is universally better — each has strengths that match different yard conditions. Bermuda thrives in full sun with heavy use. Zoysia handles shade better and feels softer underfoot. This comparison uses real Middle Georgia growing conditions to help you understand which grass works best for your specific yard.
Head to head
Side-by-Side Comparison
Bermuda Grass
Pros
Extremely heat and drought tolerant — handles Middle Georgia summers easily
Recovers quickly from damage, foot traffic, and heavy use
Dense growth crowds out weeds when healthy and well-maintained
Aggressive growth habit means fast fill-in of bare spots
Tolerates aggressive herbicide treatments for weed control
Cons
- Cannot grow in shade — needs 6+ hours of direct sun
- Goes fully brown during winter dormancy (November through March)
- Requires frequent mowing during active growth (every 3-5 days in summer)
- Invasive — spreads aggressively into flower beds, sidewalk cracks, and neighbors’ yards
Best for:
Full-sun yards with active use — kids, pets, entertaining. Homeowners who want the most resilient turf and do not mind frequent mowing.
Zoysia Grass
Pros
Good shade tolerance compared to bermuda — handles 4+ hours of sun
Dense, carpet-like turf that resists weed invasion
Softer texture that feels comfortable to walk on barefoot
Moderate drought tolerance with lower water needs than bermuda
Slower growth means less frequent mowing
Cons
- Slow to establish and slow to recover from damage
- Builds thatch quickly — needs regular dethatching or it suffocates itself
- Longer dormancy period — last to green up in spring, first to go dormant in fall
- Susceptible to large patch disease, especially in fall and spring transitions
Best for:
Established neighborhoods with mature trees and partial shade. Homeowners who want a softer, lower-mowing lawn and are willing to manage thatch.
Factor by factor
Detailed Comparison
Factor
Bermuda Grass
Zoysia Grass
Sun Requirement
Bermuda Grass
Full sun (6+ hours)
Zoysia Grass
Full sun to partial shade (4+ hours)
Sun Requirement
Full sun (6+ hours)
Full sun to partial shade (4+ hours)
Mowing Height
Bermuda Grass
1-2 inches
Zoysia Grass
1-2.5 inches
Mowing Height
1-2 inches
1-2.5 inches
Mowing Frequency (Summer)
Bermuda Grass
Every 3-5 days
Zoysia Grass
Every 5-7 days
Mowing Frequency (Summer)
Every 3-5 days
Every 5-7 days
Nitrogen Needs
Bermuda Grass
Heavy (4-5 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft/year)
Zoysia Grass
Moderate (2-3 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft/year)
Nitrogen Needs
Heavy (4-5 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft/year)
Moderate (2-3 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft/year)
Thatch Buildup
Bermuda Grass
Moderate — manageable with regular mowing
Zoysia Grass
Heavy — requires annual dethatching
Thatch Buildup
Moderate — manageable with regular mowing
Heavy — requires annual dethatching
Damage Recovery
Bermuda Grass
Fast — fills in within weeks
Zoysia Grass
Slow — can take an entire season
Damage Recovery
Fast — fills in within weeks
Slow — can take an entire season
Winter Dormancy
Bermuda Grass
Brown Nov-Mar, greens up quickly in spring
Zoysia Grass
Brown Oct-Apr, slow to green up
Winter Dormancy
Brown Nov-Mar, greens up quickly in spring
Brown Oct-Apr, slow to green up
Disease Risk
Bermuda Grass
Dollar spot, spring dead spot
Zoysia Grass
Large patch (primary concern in Middle Georgia)
Disease Risk
Dollar spot, spring dead spot
Large patch (primary concern in Middle Georgia)
The verdict
Bottom Line Verdict
Choose bermuda if your yard gets full sun and sees heavy foot traffic. Choose zoysia if you have partial shade from mature trees and prefer a lower-maintenance, softer-textured lawn. In Middle Georgia, bermuda is the more forgiving choice for most homeowners because it handles heat, drought, and abuse better. Zoysia rewards patience with a beautiful, dense turf — but it demands thatch management and is slower to bounce back from any damage.
Why Attaboy
What Attaboy Does Differently
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can bermuda and zoysia grow in the same yard?
They can coexist, but they are difficult to manage together because they have different fertilizer needs, mowing heights, and herbicide tolerances. If you have both, a lawn care professional can adjust treatments for the dominant species while being careful with the secondary one.
Which grass is better for dogs?
Bermuda is better for yards with dogs. Its fast recovery from damage means dog spots and worn paths fill in quickly. Zoysia is slow to recover, so high-traffic areas from pets tend to stay thin or bare much longer.
Why does my zoysia get large patch every year?
Large patch is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani and is very common in zoysia lawns in Middle Georgia. It typically appears in fall and spring when soil temperatures are between 60-75 degrees. Heavy thatch buildup, over-fertilizing in fall, and poor drainage all increase the risk. Reducing nitrogen in late summer and managing thatch helps prevent it.
Is bermuda grass hard to control once established?
Yes. Bermuda spreads aggressively through stolons and rhizomes. It will invade flower beds, sidewalk cracks, and neighboring yards if not edged and maintained. This is actually a benefit for lawn coverage — bare spots fill in fast — but it requires regular edging to keep bermuda where you want it.
Which grass stays green longer in winter?
Neither stays truly green through a Middle Georgia winter, but bermuda typically greens up earlier in spring (late March to April) while zoysia may not fully green up until May. Some homeowners overseed bermuda with annual ryegrass for winter color, but this is not recommended for zoysia due to its dense thatch layer.
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