Plant & Lawn Care · March 12, 2024
How to Get Rid of Zoysia Grass for Good, and What to Put in Its Place
Updated November 6, 2026
Zoysia is tough to remove because it spreads underground and above ground at the same time. Here is what actually works in Orange County, what to skip, and what to plant instead so it never comes back.
Why zoysia is so hard to get rid of
Zoysia spreads two ways at once: by rhizomes under the soil and by stolons running across the top. Pull a patch out by hand and the pieces you leave behind grow back. Mow it short and it fills in thicker. That is why a single weekend of digging almost never ends it. Getting rid of zoysia for good means killing the whole root system, then covering the ground with something it cannot push through.
Method 1: smother it (the slow, chemical-free way)
Cut the grass as short as your mower allows, water it once, then cover the area completely with overlapping cardboard or a thick layer of newspaper, and top that with 3 to 4 inches of mulch. Keep the cardboard damp. In Orange County this usually takes a full growing season, and any gap in the cover becomes a new patch of zoysia, so overlap every edge by at least 6 inches. It works best when you plan to replace the lawn with planting beds, since the mulch and broken-down cardboard become part of the new bed.
Method 2: solarize it with clear plastic
Solarizing uses summer heat to cook the grass and its roots. Mow low, water deeply, then stretch clear plastic sheeting over the area and bury the edges so no air gets in. Leave it on for 6 to 8 weeks during the hottest part of the year. The soil under the plastic needs steady sun, so this works well on open front lawns and poorly on shaded side yards. It kills seeds and many weeds at the same time.
Method 3: dig it out, then keep digging
For small areas, or when you need the ground ready fast, remove the sod with a sod cutter set as deep as it goes, then dig out every rhizome you can find below that. Water the bare ground, wait two weeks, and dig out anything that sprouts. Repeat once or twice. Haul the material away rather than composting it, because zoysia rhizomes survive a home compost pile.
What about herbicide?
A non-selective herbicide can kill zoysia, but it usually takes more than one application a few weeks apart while the grass is actively growing, and it does nothing to stop regrowth from any missed roots. If you go this route, follow the product label exactly, keep it off anything you want to keep, and plan to combine it with a sod cutter or a cover. For most Orange County yards we think the cover and solarizing methods are the safer, more reliable choice.
The one step most people skip: replace it with something better
Bare soil is an invitation for zoysia to return from the neighbor's yard or from a few rhizomes you missed. The lasting fix is to cover the area with a finished landscape. Many of our clients replace the lawn with drought-tolerant planting beds on drip irrigation, a decomposed-granite or paver patio, or pet-friendly synthetic turf on a compacted base with a weed barrier under it. Each of those cuts water use, ends mowing, and leaves zoysia nowhere to grow.
Want it handled?
All Seasons removes old lawns and installs the replacement in one project across Orange County. We will tell you which removal method fits your yard, handle the hauling, and build the new landscape so the zoysia does not come back. Ask for a free consultation and we will walk the yard with you.
Frequently asked questions
Will vinegar or boiling water kill zoysia grass?
They burn the leaves but rarely reach the rhizomes, so the grass grows back. For a permanent result you need to kill or remove the roots and then cover the ground.
How long does it take to get rid of zoysia?
Digging gives you a cleared area in a day or two, but expect a few follow-up rounds over the next month. Smothering takes a season. Solarizing takes 6 to 8 weeks of summer sun.
What is the best replacement for a zoysia lawn in Orange County?
It depends on how you use the space. Drought-tolerant planting on drip uses the least water. Synthetic turf keeps a green, playable surface for kids and dogs. A patio or gravel area works for outdoor living. We often combine two of these.
Does a weed barrier stop zoysia?
Under synthetic turf or hardscape, a properly installed barrier with sealed seams does. Under mulch alone, zoysia can eventually find gaps, so remove the roots first.
Replace the lawn, not just the grass
Free consultation for lawn removal and replacement anywhere in Orange County. One team removes the old lawn and builds what comes next.
