Is Zoysia or St. Augustine better for Tallahassee lawns?

It depends on your specific conditions. St. Augustine is better for shady yards, establishes faster, and costs less upfront. Zoysia is better for sunny yards, uses less water, requires less maintenance long-term, and handles foot traffic better. About 70% of Tallahassee lawns are St. Augustine, but Zoysia has been growing in popularity for homeowners who want a lower-maintenance option.

Can you mix St. Augustine and Zoysia in the same yard?

We do not recommend mixing St. Augustine and Zoysia in the same yard. They have different mowing heights (St. Augustine at 3.5-4 inches, Zoysia at 1.5-2.5 inches), different fertilizer needs, and different watering requirements. Over time, one will usually overtake the other, creating an uneven, patchy appearance. If you have both sunny and shady areas, it is better to use shade-tolerant St. Augustine varieties like Palmetto throughout.

Does Zoysia grass stay green in winter in Tallahassee?

Zoysia grass will show some browning during Tallahassee winters, but significantly less than Bermuda grass. Empire Zoysia typically maintains 60-70% of its green color through December and January in our area, going slightly tan but not fully dormant. St. Augustine behaves similarly, retaining more green color through mild winters but browning during hard freezes. Neither grass stays perfectly green all winter in North Florida.

How much more does Zoysia cost than St. Augustine?

Zoysia sod typically costs 25-40% more than St. Augustine for material. In Tallahassee, Floratam St. Augustine runs $0.45-$0.55 per square foot, while Empire Zoysia costs $0.60-$0.85 per square foot. For a 5,000 square foot yard, that is roughly a $750-$1,500 difference in material cost alone. However, Zoysia's lower water and maintenance needs can offset this over 3-5 years.

Which grass is more resistant to pests in North Florida?

Zoysia has fewer pest problems overall in North Florida. St. Augustine is susceptible to chinch bugs (the number one lawn pest in our area), gray leaf spot fungus, and take-all root rot. Zoysia is naturally resistant to chinch bugs and most fungal diseases. Zoysia can be affected by hunting billbugs and large patch fungus, but these are less common and easier to manage than St. Augustine's pest issues.

Lawn Care8 min read

St. Augustine vs. Zoysia Grass: Which Is Right for Your Tallahassee Lawn?

Josue Jean

·February 20, 2026

Split view comparing two different grass types side by side in a Florida yard

If you are shopping for new sod in Tallahassee, you have probably already narrowed your choices down to two options: St. Augustine and Zoysia. These are the two most popular residential lawn grasses in North Florida, and for good reason — both perform well in our climate and both produce beautiful lawns when properly maintained.

But they are different grasses with different strengths, different weaknesses, and different maintenance requirements. Choosing the wrong one for your specific yard conditions means years of frustration and wasted money.

We have been installing both St. Augustine and Zoysia across Leon County and the surrounding Big Bend region since 2004. Here is our honest, detailed comparison based on what we see perform in real Tallahassee yards — not what the textbooks say should happen.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Before we dive into the details, here is the high-level comparison:

Shade tolerance: St. Augustine wins. Palmetto St. Augustine handles as little as 4 hours of filtered sunlight. Zoysia needs at least 6 hours of direct sun.
Drought tolerance: Zoysia wins. Its deep root system (12-18 inches) dramatically outperforms St. Augustine (4-6 inches) in dry conditions.
Water needs:Zoysia wins. It needs 0.5-0.75 inches per week versus St. Augustine's 1-1.25 inches per week during summer.
Maintenance level: Zoysia wins. Slower growth means less mowing, lower fertilizer needs, and fewer pest treatments.
Upfront cost: St. Augustine wins. Floratam costs $0.45-$0.55/sq ft versus Empire Zoysia at $0.60-$0.85/sq ft for material.
Foot traffic tolerance: Zoysia wins. Its dense growth pattern recovers well from wear. St. Augustine compresses and thins under heavy traffic.
Pest resistance: Zoysia wins. St. Augustine is vulnerable to chinch bugs, the biggest lawn pest in Tallahassee.
Speed of establishment: St. Augustine wins. It fills in gaps and establishes faster due to its aggressive growth rate.
Damage recovery: St. Augustine wins. If a section is damaged, St. Augustine regrows and fills in much faster than Zoysia.
Appearance: Tie — it depends on your preference. St. Augustine has broad, coarse blades for a lush tropical look. Zoysia has finer blades for a tight, carpet-like appearance.

Shade Tolerance: The Deciding Factor for Most Tallahassee Yards

If your yard has significant shade from mature trees, this single factor likely decides your choice. St. Augustine (Palmetto variety) is dramatically better in shade than any Zoysia variety.

Tallahassee is a city of trees. Live oaks, magnolias, and pines dominate the landscape, especially in established neighborhoods like Betton Hills, Indianhead Acres, Levy Park, and areas around Lake Ella. Many yards in these neighborhoods receive only 3-5 hours of direct sunlight per day.

In those conditions, Palmetto St. Augustine will maintain a thick, green lawn. Zoysia will thin out progressively until you are looking at bare soil under the tree canopy. We have seen this happen dozens of times with homeowners who were drawn to Zoysia's low-maintenance reputation but did not account for their shade conditions.

Our rule of thumb: Walk your yard at noon on a sunny day. If more than 40% of your lawn area is in shade at midday, go with Palmetto or Seville St. Augustine. If 70% or more is in full sun, both grasses are viable and your decision comes down to other factors.

Water Requirements and Drought Performance

This is where Zoysia really shines, and it matters more than most homeowners realize.

During a typical Tallahassee summer, St. Augustine needs about 1 to 1.25 inches of water per week to stay green. That means running your irrigation system 2-3 times per week for 30-45 minutes per zone, depending on your sprinkler heads. During drought conditions, St. Augustine will be the first grass on your block to show stress — the blades fold in half lengthwise, turn bluish-gray, and footprints stay visible.

Zoysia gets by on 0.5 to 0.75 inches per week during the same conditions. Its root system runs 12-18 inches deep compared to St. Augustine's 4-6 inches, which means it is accessing moisture that St. Augustine simply cannot reach. During the 2023 drought that hit the Big Bend region, we saw many St. Augustine lawns turn brown while neighboring Zoysia lawns stayed green with no supplemental irrigation.

In terms of annual water cost savings, homeowners who switch from St. Augustine to Zoysia typically see a 25-40% reduction in irrigation water usage. On a 5,000 square foot yard, that can translate to $200-$400 per year in water savings.

Maintenance Comparison

Mowing

St. Augustine grows aggressively during the warm months and needs mowing every 5-7 days from April through October at a height of 3.5-4 inches. That means roughly 25-30 mowings per year.

Zoysia grows more slowly and needs mowing every 7-10 days at a height of 1.5-2.5 inches. That translates to roughly 18-22 mowings per year. The lower mowing height also gives Zoysia a more manicured, golf course-like appearance.

Fertilization

St. Augustine performs best with 3-4 fertilizer applications per year in the Tallahassee area: early spring (March), late spring (May), summer (July), and early fall (September). It is a hungry grass that needs approximately 4-6 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually.

Zoysia needs only 2-3 applications: spring (April) and summer (July), with an optional fall application (September). It requires 2-3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually — about half what St. Augustine demands.

Pest Management

This is a major differentiator. St. Augustine in Tallahassee is constantly under threat from:

Chinch bugs: The most destructive lawn pest in our area. These tiny insects suck the sap from St. Augustine blades, causing irregular yellow and brown patches that expand rapidly in summer. Treatment costs $75-$150 per application, and most yards need 2-3 preventive applications per year.
Gray leaf spot: A fungal disease that causes diamond-shaped gray lesions on blades. Most active during humid summer months.
Take-all root rot: A soil-borne fungus that attacks the root system, causing yellow patches that do not respond to watering or fertilization.

Zoysia is naturally resistant to chinch bugs, which immediately removes the biggest pest concern. It can develop hunting billbug damage and large patch fungus, but these issues are less common in our area and generally easier to manage.

Cost Analysis: Short-Term vs. Long-Term

Year 1 Costs (5,000 sq ft yard)

St. Augustine (Floratam) installed: $7,500 - $11,250
Zoysia (Empire) installed: $10,000 - $15,000
Difference: $2,500 - $3,750 more for Zoysia

Annual Maintenance Costs

St. Augustine: $800 - $1,200/year (mowing, fertilizer, pest treatment, irrigation)
Zoysia: $500 - $800/year (less mowing, less fertilizer, minimal pest treatment, less water)
Annual savings with Zoysia: $300 - $400/year

Break-Even Point

Based on the numbers above, Zoysia's higher upfront cost is typically recovered through lower maintenance costs within 7-10 years. If you plan to stay in your home long-term, Zoysia may be the better financial choice despite the higher installation price.

For a deeper look at installation pricing, check out our Tallahassee sod installation cost guide.

Appearance and Feel

This is subjective, but it matters. You are going to look at your lawn every single day.

St. Augustinehas broad, flat blades that create a thick, lush, tropical-looking lawn. The individual blades are 6-8mm wide with a coarse texture. It has a deeper green color, especially the Palmetto and Seville varieties. The overall look is "full" and "soft" — the kind of lawn you want to walk through barefoot.

Zoysiahas finer blades (2-5mm wide depending on variety) that weave together into a tight, dense carpet. The texture feels firmer underfoot — almost like walking on a thick rug. The color tends to be a medium green, lighter than St. Augustine. The overall look is "manicured" and "clean" — more like a golf course fairway than a tropical paradise.

Recovery from Damage

This is St. Augustine's biggest advantage after shade tolerance. St. Augustine grows by sending out thick stolons (above-ground runners) that can fill in a bare patch in 4-8 weeks during the growing season. If a dog digs a hole, a tree falls, or a section gets damaged, St. Augustine will cover it naturally.

Zoysia grows much more slowly. A bare patch that St. Augustine fills in 6 weeks might take Zoysia 3-4 months. For homeowners with active dogs, kids who play hard on the lawn, or frequent landscape projects, St. Augustine's ability to self-repair is a significant practical advantage.

Our Recommendation for Tallahassee Homeowners

After thousands of installations across the greater Tallahassee area, here is our honest advice:

Choose St. Augustine if: You have shade (even partial), you want the classic thick green Florida lawn look, you have dogs or kids who are hard on the lawn, you want faster establishment, or upfront budget is your priority.
Choose Zoysia if: You have a mostly sunny yard (6+ hours of direct sun), you want lower ongoing maintenance and water bills, you prefer a fine-textured manicured look, pest management headaches frustrate you, or you plan to stay in the home long-term.

There is no wrong answer between these two grasses for Tallahassee — both are excellent choices. The wrong answer is choosing one without understanding the conditions of your specific yard.

Not Sure Which Grass Is Right for You?

We get it — this is a big decision and a significant investment. That is why we offer free, no-pressure yard evaluations. We will walk your property, assess the sun exposure throughout the day, check your soil condition, and give you a straightforward recommendation on which grass will thrive in your specific situation.

Schedule your free yard evaluation and sod quote or call us at (850) 391-8280. We serve Tallahassee, Crawfordville, Quincy, Monticello, and the surrounding communities.