Zoysia grass is a popular choice in residential landscapes as it’s both cold and heat tolerant, can take a beating when it comes to foot traffic, and offers that thick and lush green growth that we often associate with healthy turf.
As far as zoysia is concerned you have a dozen or so choices, but today we’ll be looking at two varieties. Check out our comparison of el toro zoysia vs empire zoysia – which is right for your lawn?
Color and Texture
Empire zoysia grass sports a deep and dark green color coupled with a somewhat coarse texture. However, the blades are soft and blend well with each other. El Toro, on the other hand, has a lighter green color with medium-sized blades that come together to create a dense lawn.
Choosing a zoysia grass for your yard will depend on how you want it to appear. Choose El Toro for a thick and light green turf, or Empire for that softer yet deeper appearance.
Growth Rate
While zoysia as a whole is a vigorous grower, Empire trumps out El Toro when it comes to filling up yard space.
Empire zoysia grows well in nearly any type of soil or climate, even clay or sandy medium. However, for those who don’t want to mow as much then El Toro should be at the top of your list. The grass species has a slower vertical growth rate, which means less maintenance in the long run.
Traffic Tolerance
Both El Toro and Empire zoysia grass can take a lot of punishment in the foot traffic aspect. The good news is that they rebound and recover fairly quickly, which makes them perfect for commercial landscapes and lawns with pets and children.
You might think that since el toro grows slower that it’s more prone to damage, but this isn’t the case. El toro has a denser texture, which makes it tougher against pressure and everyday wear and tear.
Cold and Drought Tolerance
Empire zoysia is native to Brazil and is highly drought-tolerant, thanks to its deep roots and rhizomes. It’s not as durable when it comes to cold weather but will still perform fairly well against other grass types.
El Toro zoysia is pretty much the same when it comes to heat and drought tolerance. Plus, the zoysia variety can take cold well and survive cold climates to a degree. Both are highly resistant to pests and diseases, and they can take a bit of shade as well.
El Toro Zoysia vs Empire Zoysia: Maintenance
Zoysia grass is known for needing less water than most grass varieties. However, you should still give your lawn deep watering now and then and during hot days.
El Toro beats Empire when it comes to the mowing aspect- a slower-growing grass will need less maintenance. However, empire zoysia requires less watering than el toro. Those who are pressed for time and want a presentable lawn or turf can choose El Toro, while others who want a thriving yard can opt for the Empire variety.