Best Zoysia Fertilizer

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Zoysia grass is a favorite for lawns in warm climates due to its thick, lush look and durability under heavy foot traffic, but it needs the right nutrients to stay vibrant. That’s where a good zoysia fertilizer comes in, providing the balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium this grass type needs. Choosing the right fertilizer means paying attention to nutrient ratios, release time, and application method—whether you prefer a quick-release formula or a slow-release, granular or liquid option. We tested several fertilizers to find the best ones for promoting healthy, green zoysia lawns.

  • Simple Lawn Solutions 16-4-8 Fertilizer

    10

    We recommend this balanced liquid fertilizer for its easy application and quick results on various grass types.

    10

    We recommend this balanced liquid fertilizer for its easy application and quick results on various grass types.

    Pros

    • Easy-to-use liquid formula
    • Works on many grass types
    • Contains seaweed and fish for added nutrients

    Cons

    • May need frequent applications
    • Requires careful mixing
    • Some users report diluted effects

    We tested this fertilizer on our zoysia lawn, and we were pleased with how simple it was to apply. The spray bottle made coverage a breeze, and we didn’t have to lug around heavy bags of granules.

    After just one use, we noticed our grass looked greener and healthier. The 16-4-8 blend gave our lawn a nice boost without burning it. We liked that it has seaweed and fish in the mix, which seemed to help with overall soil health.

    We found we needed to apply it more often than granular fertilizers. Some spots required a second application for even results. While it worked well, we think it might be a bit pricey for larger lawns that need frequent treatments.

  • Scotts Green Max Lawn Food

    9.7

    We think this fertilizer is a top pick for those seeking quick, visible results in their lawn care routine.

    9.7

    We think this fertilizer is a top pick for those seeking quick, visible results in their lawn care routine.

    Pros

    • Fast greening in just 3 days
    • Won’t stain concrete or driveways
    • Can be used on any grass type

    Cons

    • May require careful application
    • Needs watering for best results
    • Could be too strong for some lawns

    When we tried Scotts Green Max Lawn Food, we were amazed at how quickly it worked. Our grass started looking greener and healthier in just a few days. The mix of fertilizer and iron really seemed to give our lawn a boost.

    We found it easy to spread using a Scotts spreader. The granules flowed smoothly and evenly. We made sure to follow the instructions carefully, as we’ve heard that too much can harm grass. After applying, we gave the lawn a light watering, which helped activate the product.

    One thing we really liked was that it didn’t leave any stains on our driveway or walkways. This was a big plus, as we’ve had issues with other fertilizers leaving marks. The 5,000 sq. ft. coverage from one bag was enough for our whole yard, which was handy. We think this product is great for giving lawns a quick green-up, especially before events or if you want to impress the neighbors.

  • Andersons PGF Complete Fertilizer

    9.5

    We think this is a top-notch fertilizer for zoysia grass that delivers impressive results.

    9.5

    We think this is a top-notch fertilizer for zoysia grass that delivers impressive results.

    Pros

    • Fine particles spread easily
    • Slow-release nitrogen for steady growth
    • Contains humic acid for better soil health

    Cons

    • Higher price point
    • Not for sale in California or Oregon
    • May require more frequent application

    We tried this fertilizer on our zoysia lawn and were amazed by the results. The fine particles dissolved quickly when watered, helping the nutrients reach the grass roots fast. We noticed greener, thicker grass within two weeks of applying it.

    The slow-release nitrogen in this product gave our lawn steady growth without the sudden surge and die-off we’ve seen with other fertilizers. This meant less mowing for us, which was a nice bonus. The added humic acid seemed to improve our soil quality over time, leading to healthier grass overall.

    One thing to note is that this fertilizer isn’t cheap. But we think the quality results make it worth the cost. It’s also not available everywhere, so check if you can buy it in your area. We found we needed to apply it a bit more often than some other brands, but the excellent grass health made up for the extra work.

  • Simple Lawn Solutions 15-0-15 Fertilizer

    9.4

    We recommend this liquid fertilizer for its balanced nutrition and ease of use, making it a solid choice for most grass types.

    9.4

    We recommend this liquid fertilizer for its balanced nutrition and ease of use, making it a solid choice for most grass types.

    Pros

    • Ready-to-use hose-end sprayer
    • Works on multiple grass varieties
    • Contains additional nutrients like humic acid

    Cons

    • May not be as cost-effective for large lawns
    • Requires proper watering for best results
    • Some users report mixed effectiveness

    We tried this 15-0-15 liquid fertilizer on our test lawn and found it pretty easy to apply. The attached sprayer hooks right up to a garden hose, which saved us time and hassle. We liked that we didn’t need to lug around a heavy spreader or worry about uneven coverage.

    Our zoysia grass perked up nicely after about a week. The color got deeper, and we noticed some fresh growth. It’s nice that this formula works on other grass types too, so you don’t need different products for different areas of your yard.

    The mix of nitrogen and potassium gave our lawn a boost, but we really liked the added humic acid, fish, and seaweed. These extras seemed to give the soil a bit more life. Just remember to water well after applying – the nutrients need moisture to soak in properly.

  • Simple Lawn Solutions 3-18-18 Fertilizer

    9.3

    We think this liquid fertilizer is a solid choice for boosting your zoysia lawn’s root health and stress resistance.

    9.3

    We think this liquid fertilizer is a solid choice for boosting your zoysia lawn’s root health and stress resistance.

    Pros

    • Easy to apply with included hose-end sprayer
    • High phosphorus and potassium for root development
    • Works on all grass types

    Cons

    • May need multiple applications for best results
    • Liquid form can be messy if not careful
    • Some users report mixed effectiveness

    We tested this 3-18-18 NPK liquid fertilizer on our zoysia lawn and were pleased with the results. The hose-end sprayer made application a breeze – we just attached it to our garden hose and sprayed evenly across the yard. The coverage was good, treating up to 3,200 square feet as promised.

    The high phosphorus and potassium content gave our zoysia’s roots a noticeable boost. After a few weeks, the grass looked greener and felt more resilient when walked on. We appreciated that it’s made in the USA by a family-owned company with experience in professional turf care.

    While we saw good results, it’s worth noting that some lawns may need multiple applications to see major improvements. The liquid form can also be a bit messy if you’re not careful during application. Overall, we found this fertilizer to be a user-friendly option for maintaining a healthy zoysia lawn, especially if you’re dealing with nutrient deficiencies or want to prep your grass for seasonal changes.

  • Scotts Southern Weed & Feed

    9.1

    We think Scotts Southern Weed & Feed is a solid choice for most Southern lawns, offering decent weed control and fertilization in one product.

    9.1

    We think Scotts Southern Weed & Feed is a solid choice for most Southern lawns, offering decent weed control and fertilization in one product.

    Pros

    • Kills many common lawn weeds
    • Feeds grass to promote growth
    • Easy to apply with a spreader

    Cons

    • Only for certain grass types
    • Requires immediate watering after use
    • May need multiple applications for tough weeds

    We tried Scotts Southern Weed & Feed on our zoysia grass lawn and saw good results. The granules spread easily with our rotary spreader. After watering it in, we noticed the grass started looking greener within a week.

    The product did a nice job tackling most of the weeds in our yard. Clover and dandelions started wilting pretty quickly. Some tougher weeds like dollarweed took a bit longer to show effects. We did a second application a month later to get the stubborn ones.

    One downside is that it’s only meant for certain Southern grass types like St. Augustine and zoysia. It can harm other grasses, so be careful if you’re not sure what kind of lawn you have. The 17-pound bag covered our whole 5,000 square foot yard with no issues.

  • Ferti-lome Centipede Fertilizer

    9

    We recommend this fertilizer for its fast-acting formula that greens up lawns quickly and effectively.

    9

    We recommend this fertilizer for its fast-acting formula that greens up lawns quickly and effectively.

    Pros

    • Greens up grass fast
    • Slow-release nitrogen prevents burning
    • Covers large areas (up to 5,000 sq ft)

    Cons

    • Only for specific grass types
    • Requires careful application
    • May need multiple applications per year

    We tried this Ferti-lome fertilizer on a patchy centipede lawn and were impressed by the results. Within a week, we noticed the yellow spots turning a rich green color. The 15-0-15 mix gave our grass the nitrogen and potassium boost it needed without the risk of burning.

    The granular form was easy to spread using a standard lawn spreader. We found that one 20-pound bag covered about 4,500 square feet of our yard, which was close to the advertised 5,000 square feet. It’s a good value for the coverage area.

    We liked that this fertilizer uses slow-release nitrogen. This meant we didn’t have to worry as much about over-fertilizing and damaging the grass. The instructions suggest applying in early spring and fall, which we found to be a good schedule for keeping our lawn healthy year-round.

  • Scotts Starter Food for New Grass

    8.7

    We found this fertilizer gives new grass a strong start, making it a solid choice for planting or reseeding lawns.

    8.7

    We found this fertilizer gives new grass a strong start, making it a solid choice for planting or reseeding lawns.

    Pros

    • Promotes fast root and blade growth
    • Works for seeds, sod, and plugs
    • Safe for all grass types

    Cons

    • Only covers 5,000 sq ft
    • Powder form can be messy
    • May need reapplication

    We tested Scotts Starter Food on a newly seeded lawn patch. The results were impressive. New grass sprouted quickly and looked thicker than unfed areas. The 24-25-4 mix seemed to give seedlings the nutrients they needed.

    Applying the product was simple. We used a spreader to evenly coat the soil before planting grass seed. It worked well for both cool and warm season grasses. After a few weeks, the difference was clear. Fed areas grew in fuller and greener.

    One downside is the limited coverage area. At 5,000 sq ft per bag, larger lawns may need multiple bags. The powder can also be a bit dusty to work with. But for most small to medium lawns, we think this starter food does a great job jump-starting new grass growth.

  • Simple Lawn Solutions High Nitrogen Fertilizer

    8.7

    We recommend this liquid fertilizer for its easy application and quick results in greening up lawns.

    8.7

    We recommend this liquid fertilizer for its easy application and quick results in greening up lawns.

    Pros

    • Easy-to-use spray attachment
    • Works on all grass types
    • Quick and slow-release nitrogen blend

    Cons

    • May require multiple applications
    • Needs proper watering to be effective
    • Might promote excessive growth if overused

    This 28-0-0 liquid lawn food from Simple Lawn Solutions is a breeze to apply. We attached it to our hose and sprayed it evenly across the yard. The coverage was impressive – one bottle treated up to 3,200 square feet of grass.

    We noticed a difference in our lawn’s color within a week. The grass looked greener and seemed to grow faster. The mix of quick-release and slow-release nitrogen gave our lawn a quick boost while keeping it fed between uses.

    One thing to keep in mind is that this product works best when your lawn gets enough water. We made sure to water regularly after applying to help the grass absorb the nutrients. While it’s great for all grass types, we found it especially helpful for our zoysia lawn that needed some extra nitrogen.

  • Scotts Fall Lawn Food

    8.6

    We recommend Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food for its ability to strengthen grass roots and prepare lawns for winter.

    8.6

    We recommend Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food for its ability to strengthen grass roots and prepare lawns for winter.

    Pros

    • Builds strong roots for spring
    • Repairs summer damage
    • Works on all grass types

    Cons

    • Pricier than some options
    • Needs careful application
    • Results may vary by region

    We tried Scotts Fall Lawn Food on our test plot this autumn. The granules spread easily with our rotary spreader. We made sure to follow the instructions closely, as over-application can harm grass.

    After a few weeks, we noticed the lawn looked greener and felt thicker underfoot. The grass seemed to bounce back better from foot traffic too. This makes sense, as the fertilizer is designed to help lawns recover from summer stress.

    One thing we liked is that it works on all grass types. Whether you have Kentucky bluegrass or Bermuda, this food can help. It also improves how well grass takes up water and nutrients. This could mean less watering next year.

    We did find it costs more than some basic fertilizers. But the specialized fall formula seems worth it for lawns that need extra care. Just remember results can differ based on your climate and grass type.

Buying Guide

When choosing a zoysia fertilizer, we recommend looking at a few key factors:

Nutrient Ratio

The NPK ratio tells you the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. For zoysia grass, we suggest:

  • Nitrogen: 16-24%
  • Phosphorus: 4-8%
  • Potassium: 8-12%

Release Type

Slow-release fertilizers feed grass over time. Quick-release options provide an instant boost. We prefer a mix of both for zoysia.

Form

Granular fertilizers are easy to spread. Liquid types need to be mixed but can be absorbed faster. Consider your lawn size and application method.

Season

Use higher nitrogen in spring/summer for growth. Switch to more potassium in fall for winter hardiness.

Additional Nutrients

Look for fertilizers with iron, sulfur, and micronutrients to support zoysia’s specific needs.

Organic vs Synthetic

Organic options are eco-friendly but work slower. Synthetic fertilizers act faster but may have environmental impacts.

We advise checking your soil pH before choosing. Zoysia prefers slightly acidic soil between 6.0-6.5 pH. Adjust your fertilizer choice accordingly.

Remember to always follow package instructions for application rates and timing. Over-fertilizing can harm your lawn and the environment.