Hime-korai (fine-leaf Manila grass)
Zoysia matrella
A fine-leaved selection of Korai that knits into a dense, carpet-like turf. The finish is beautiful, but the low mowing height means cutting it more often. Suited to ornamental gardens.
At a glance
| Family | Poaceae |
|---|---|
| Season type | Warm-season |
| Heat tolerance | ●●●●● |
| Cold tolerance | ●●●●● |
| Shade tolerance | ●●●●● |
| Wear tolerance | ●●●●● |
| Drought tolerance | ●●●●● |
| Mowing height | 5–15 mm |
| Propagation | Sod / Plug |
| Upkeep | High upkeep |
| Native range | Japan |
Growing conditions
| USDA hardiness zones | 6–10 |
|---|---|
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Medium |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Common problems | Large patch / Thatch build-up / White grubs |
How to grow it
Climate and sun
Same warm-season habit as standard Korai, but the fine leaves demand even more light. Give it six hours or more of direct sun on level, breezy ground. In shade the density drops, soil shows through, and weeds move in.
Planting
Lay sod tight, with no gaps. Because this grass is cut short, every dip in the base shows in the finished surface. Level the ground carefully before laying, then top-dress 3–5 mm at a time over several rounds to true it up.
Watering
Keep it moist until rooted. Close mowing keeps roots shallow, so it dries out faster than standard Korai in summer. Water in the morning at the first sign of wilt.
Mowing
Cut at 5–15 mm, weekly in the growing season. Mow less often and you end up removing too much at once and scalping it. Use a reel mower or trimmer rated for low cutting.
Feeding
Close mowing is draining, so feed little and often — late spring, early summer, midsummer and early autumn. Light repeated feeds hold density better than one heavy dose.
Problems and winter
The dense sward builds thatch quickly, which brings large patch and white grubs. Dethatch and top-dress once every spring without fail. It goes dormant and brown over winter.