Zoysia vs Bermuda Grass: Which Is Right for Jacksonville?

Choosing between Zoysia and Bermuda grass for your Jacksonville lawn is one of the most common decisions homeowners face when installing new sod. Both are warm-season grasses that perform well in Northeast Florida, but they have distinctly different characteristics that make each suited to different situations. At Jax Sod, we install both varieties regularly across Duval, Clay, St. Johns, and Nassau Counties, and the right choice depends on your specific property conditions and maintenance preferences.

The fundamental difference comes down to this: Bermuda grass thrives in full sun and handles heavy foot traffic better than any other warm-season grass, but it struggles in shade. Zoysia tolerates moderate shade better than Bermuda and has a denser, finer texture, but it grows more slowly and doesn't handle aggressive wear as well. In Jacksonville's climate, both grasses perform excellently when matched to the right conditions.

Over our 37+ years in the sod business, we've seen both varieties succeed and fail based on whether homeowners understood these differences before installation. In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive side-by-side comparison to help you make an informed decision for your Jacksonville property.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Here's how Zoysia and Bermuda stack up across the characteristics that matter most for Jacksonville lawns:

| Characteristic | Zoysia | Bermuda | |----------------|--------|---------| | Shade tolerance | Good (4-6 hours sun) | Poor (8+ hours sun required) | | Wear tolerance | Moderate | Excellent | | Traffic recovery | Slow | Fast | | Texture | Fine to medium | Fine | | Drought tolerance | Excellent | Very good | | Maintenance level | Low to moderate | Moderate to high | | Mowing frequency | Every 7-10 days | Every 5-7 days | | Mowing height | 1.5-2.5 inches | 0.5-2 inches | | Water requirements | 0.5-1 inch per week | 1-1.5 inches per week | | Winter color (Jacksonville) | Brown (dormant Nov-March) | Brown (dormant Dec-March) | | Establishment speed | Slow (8-12 weeks) | Fast (4-8 weeks) | | Salt tolerance | Good | Excellent | | Cost (per sq ft installed) | $1.50-2.50 | $1.20-2.00 | | Weed resistance | Excellent (dense growth) | Good | | Thatch buildup | Moderate | High |

This table gives you the overview, but let's dig into the details that matter for specific Jacksonville situations.

Shade Tolerance: Zoysia Wins

If you have mature trees on your property, Zoysia is almost certainly the better choice. This is the single biggest differentiator between these grasses in Jacksonville, where neighborhoods like San Marco, Riverside, Avondale, and Mandarin feature extensive tree canopy from live oaks, magnolias, and pines.

Zoysia can handle 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or bright filtered shade and remain healthy. We've installed Empire Zoysia under oak canopies in Deerwood and along shaded fence lines in Fleming Island with excellent results. The grass stays dense and green throughout the growing season even in areas where Bermuda would thin out and become weedy.

Bermuda, by contrast, needs 8+ hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. In shade, Bermuda grass becomes thin, weak, and highly susceptible to weed invasion. We've seen countless cases of Bermuda lawns in shaded Jacksonville yards that require constant overseeding and weed control just to maintain minimal coverage. If more than 30% of your lawn area receives less than 6 hours of direct sun, Bermuda isn't the right choice.

The shade tolerance difference is rooted in biology. Zoysia has a more efficient photosynthesis system that allows it to maintain growth in lower light conditions. Bermuda evolved in full-sun environments and lacks this adaptation.

Jacksonville Pro Tip: If you have a mixed sun/shade property, you can install Bermuda in full-sun areas (front yards, open spaces) and Zoysia or St. Augustine in shaded zones (backyards under trees, side yards). This hybrid approach maximizes each grass's strengths.

Wear Tolerance: Bermuda Wins

For high-traffic areas—play zones, dog runs, sports practice areas—Bermuda is the superior choice. Its wear tolerance and recovery speed are unmatched among warm-season grasses. College and professional sports fields throughout Florida use Bermuda varieties (particularly Celebration and Tifway 419) for this exact reason.

Bermuda's aggressive lateral growth through stolons and rhizomes allows it to fill in bare spots quickly. If a section gets worn down to dirt from foot traffic, Bermuda will recover in 2-3 weeks during peak growing season. This makes it ideal for active families in Nocatee, Fruit Cove, and St. Johns who use their yards extensively.

Zoysia, while durable, doesn't recover as quickly from damage. Its growth rate is inherently slower, so a worn spot might take 4-6 weeks to fill in. For light to moderate traffic, Zoysia holds up fine. But if you have kids playing soccer, dogs running routes, or heavy recreational use, Bermuda's resilience is a significant advantage.

We've installed TifTuf Bermuda for families with multiple large dogs in Orange Park and Middleburg with excellent results. The grass tolerates the constant traffic without becoming muddy or patchy, and it recovers quickly from any damage.

Texture and Feel Comparison

Both grasses have fine texture compared to St. Augustine or Bahia, but there are subtle differences.

Modern Zoysia varieties like Zeon and Icon have an incredibly fine texture—almost carpet-like. The blade width is narrow, and the density is exceptional. Walking barefoot on Zeon Zoysia feels more like walking on thick carpet than grass. Homeowners in Ponte Vedra and Jacksonville Beach who prioritize aesthetics often choose Zoysia specifically for this characteristic.

Bermuda's texture varies by variety. Fine-bladed Bermudas like Celebration and Latitude 36 have a texture comparable to Zoysia. Older varieties like Tifway 419 are slightly coarser. In general, Bermuda feels springy and dense underfoot—comfortable, but not quite as plush as Zoysia.

The color is similar between the grasses during the growing season—both range from medium to dark green depending on variety and fertility. Bermuda tends toward a slightly brighter green, while Zoysia has a deeper, more emerald tone.

Winter Appearance in Jacksonville

Both grasses go dormant and turn brown during Jacksonville's mild winter, but the timing and color differ slightly.

Zoysia typically maintains its green color longer into fall. As nighttime temperatures drop below 60°F consistently—usually in late November in Jacksonville—Zoysia gradually transitions to a tan or beige dormant color. It's not an attractive brown, but it's not straw-colored either. The grass remains dense and intact throughout winter.

Bermuda goes dormant when nighttime temperatures drop below 55°F, which typically happens in early to mid-December in Jacksonville. The dormant color is a lighter brown, more straw-like than Zoysia. Because Bermuda is less dense than Zoysia, the dormant winter appearance can look thinner.

Both grasses green up in spring when soil temperatures reach 65°F consistently, which happens in late March or early April in Northeast Florida. Bermuda greens up slightly faster—2-3 weeks ahead of Zoysia in most years.

If you want year-round green, you can overseed either grass with annual ryegrass in October. The ryegrass provides green color through winter and dies out when warm-season growth resumes in spring. We see this most commonly on high-end properties in Ponte Vedra and Sawgrass where winter aesthetics matter.

Establishment Speed

Bermuda establishes significantly faster than Zoysia—this is one of the most important practical differences for Jacksonville homeowners.

Bermuda sod knits into the soil and begins active growth within 2-3 weeks of installation during warm weather. Within 4-6 weeks, the grass is fully established and can handle normal traffic. If you install Bermuda in April or May, you'll have a mature, usable lawn by early summer.

Zoysia is much slower to establish. Expect 6-8 weeks before the sod is fully rooted, and 10-12 weeks before the lawn can handle aggressive traffic. This slower establishment is due to Zoysia's inherently slower growth rate and less aggressive lateral spreading.

For homeowners in Arlington, Baymeadows, or Town Center who need a lawn ready quickly—perhaps you've just moved in and want to host gatherings—Bermuda's faster establishment is a real advantage. Zoysia requires patience and careful protection during the establishment period.

Mowing Requirements

Bermuda requires more frequent mowing than Zoysia, which translates to higher long-term maintenance costs or time investment.

During peak growing season (May-September in Jacksonville), Bermuda needs mowing every 5-7 days to maintain a tidy appearance. If you let it go longer, the grass becomes leggy and develops thatch rapidly. The recommended mowing height is 1-2 inches for most residential Bermuda lawns, though some homeowners go as low as 0.75 inches for a golf course look.

Zoysia needs mowing every 7-10 days during peak season. The slower vertical growth rate means you can stretch mowing intervals without the grass looking overgrown. The recommended mowing height is 1.5-2.5 inches, which is more forgiving than Bermuda's lower mowing height requirement.

If you're paying for lawn service, Bermuda's more frequent mowing requirement can add up to 8-12 additional visits per year compared to Zoysia—around $400-720 in additional cost for a typical Jacksonville yard.

Water Needs

Both grasses have good drought tolerance once established, but their water requirements differ slightly.

Bermuda needs about 1-1.5 inches of water per week during the growing season, including rainfall. In Jacksonville, where we receive about 52 inches of rainfall annually with most of it concentrated June-September, irrigation is necessary primarily during dry spells in spring and fall.

Zoysia is more drought-tolerant, requiring only 0.5-1 inch per week once established. The grass has deeper roots and more efficient water use, which makes it a better choice for homeowners in areas with sandy soil and limited irrigation capacity. We've seen established Zoysia lawns in Yulee and Middleburg survive 2-3 week dry spells without irrigation and recover quickly when water returns.

Under St. Johns River Water Management District restrictions (odd addresses water Wed/Sat, even addresses Thurs/Sun), both grasses can stay healthy with twice-weekly irrigation. But Zoysia provides more margin for error if you miss a watering cycle or experience equipment failure.

Cost Comparison

Zoysia costs more to install than Bermuda—typically $0.30-0.50 per square foot more for the sod itself. For a 5,000 square foot lawn, that's $1,500-2,500 additional upfront cost.

Here's a typical cost breakdown for Jacksonville:

Bermuda (TifTuf or Celebration):

• Sod: $0.40-0.60 per square foot
• Installation: $0.80-1.40 per square foot
• Total installed: $1.20-2.00 per square foot
• 5,000 sq ft lawn: $6,000-10,000

Zoysia (Empire or Zeon):

• Sod: $0.70-0.90 per square foot
• Installation: $0.80-1.60 per square foot
• Total installed: $1.50-2.50 per square foot
• 5,000 sq ft lawn: $7,500-12,500

The higher cost for Zoysia reflects the slower production cycle (Zoysia sod takes longer to grow to harvest maturity) and higher market demand for premium varieties like Zeon.

Long-term maintenance costs favor Zoysia due to less frequent mowing and lower water requirements. Over 5-10 years, the reduced maintenance costs can offset the higher installation cost, particularly if you're paying for lawn service.

Salt Tolerance

For coastal properties in Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Ponte Vedra, and Mayport, salt tolerance is an important consideration.

Bermuda has excellent salt tolerance—better than Zoysia. It handles both salt spray and salt in the soil, making it the preferred choice for beachfront properties with direct ocean exposure. We've installed Celebration and TifTuf Bermuda within 200 yards of the ocean with excellent results.

Zoysia has good salt tolerance but not excellent. It performs well in coastal areas with moderate salt exposure—typically properties more than 500 yards from the ocean. For properties with direct ocean exposure or saltwater flooding risk during storms, Bermuda is the safer choice.

If you're in a coastal location with significant shade (perhaps from coastal palms or live oaks), you face a tradeoff between salt tolerance (Bermuda) and shade tolerance (Zoysia). In these situations, we often recommend St. Augustine varieties like Floratam or Palmetto, which offer better shade tolerance than Bermuda and better salt tolerance than Zoysia.

Best Use Cases for Each Grass

Choose Bermuda if you have:

• Full sun exposure (8+ hours daily)
• High traffic areas (kids, pets, recreational use)
• Need for fast establishment
• Coastal property with salt exposure
• Sports or practice areas
• Budget constraints (lower upfront cost)
• Willingness to mow frequently

Choose Zoysia if you have:

• Partial shade (4-6 hours sun)
• Desire for low-maintenance lawn
• Preference for fine texture and density
• Well-established landscape (can wait for slower establishment)
• Water conservation goals
• Willingness to pay premium for quality
• Moderate traffic only

Properties where either works:

• Full-sun suburban properties with light to moderate traffic
• Newly constructed homes in developments like Nocatee or Fruit Cove
• Front yards with open exposure and minimal traffic
• Properties with irrigation systems that can accommodate either grass's needs

Hybrid Approach: Using Both Grasses

One strategy we've implemented successfully for Jacksonville homeowners: install Bermuda in full-sun, high-traffic areas and Zoysia or St. Augustine in shaded, low-traffic areas.

For example, on a property in Mandarin, we installed Celebration Bermuda in the front yard (full sun, visible from street, moderate traffic) and Empire Zoysia in the backyard (partial shade from oak canopy, recreational use by family). This approach maximizes each grass's strengths.

The key to making a hybrid installation work: maintain a clear transition line between grass types. Use hardscape (pavers, edging, mulch beds) or natural landscape features to separate the grasses. Don't try to blend them in open lawn areas—Bermuda will eventually outcompete Zoysia in full sun, and Zoysia will outperform Bermuda in shade, leading to an uneven appearance.

Our Recommendation by Yard Type

Mature neighborhoods with tree canopy (San Marco, Riverside, Avondale, Mandarin): Zoysia or St. Augustine. The shade from mature trees makes Bermuda impractical.

New developments with open sun (Nocatee, Fruit Cove, St. Johns): Either grass works, but Bermuda's faster establishment and lower cost make it popular for builders and new homeowners.

Coastal properties (Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Ponte Vedra): Bermuda for beachfront or near-beach properties; Zoysia for coastal properties with more distance from saltwater.

Active families with kids and pets (anywhere in Northeast Florida): Bermuda for the wear tolerance, or Zoysia if you have significant shade and moderate traffic.

Low-maintenance homeowners (particularly in Town Center, Southside, Baymeadows): Zoysia for reduced mowing frequency and water needs.

Budget-conscious homeowners: Bermuda for lower upfront cost, but factor in higher long-term maintenance.

Ready to Choose Your Grass?

The Zoysia vs Bermuda decision comes down to understanding your property's sun exposure, traffic patterns, and your maintenance preferences. Neither grass is universally better—they excel in different situations.

At Jax Sod, we walk properties throughout Jacksonville before making recommendations. Sun exposure varies throughout the day and across seasons, so what looks like full sun in winter might be partial shade in summer when trees are fully leafed out. We'll help you assess your specific conditions and choose the grass that will perform best.

We've been installing both Bermuda and Zoysia across Northeast Florida for over 37 years. Whether you need TifTuf Bermuda for a sunny, high-traffic lawn or Zeon Zoysia for a low-maintenance, fine-textured appearance, we'll ensure proper installation and provide the aftercare guidance you need for long-term success.

Ready to install Bermuda or Zoysia grass? Contact Jax Sod today at (904) 901-1457 or visit jaxsod.com for a free estimate and personalized grass selection guidance for your Jacksonville property.