Due to over-enthusiastic newspaper advertisements, the public has been misinformed on the merits of zoysiagrasses. Zoysias have advantages and disadvantages as do all lawn grasses. The improved zoysias have to be propagated vegetatively and are extremely slow in becoming established. An entire growing season may be required for coverage of the lawn when propagated by plugging or sprigging. All zoysias produce a heavy thatch that requires periodic renovation. Other disadvantages include slow recovery from damage, a high fertility requirement, need for relatively frequent irrigation and susceptibility to damage by nematodes, hunting billbugs, and several diseases. If you are interested in trying a zoysiagrass lawn, choose a variety developed for Florida (such as ‘Ultimate Flora’ or ‘Empire’). The varieties usually advertised in national publications generally do not do well in Florida. Additional information on planting and care of zoysiagrass can be found here: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/LH/LH01100.pdf

An additional article on planting and care of the new cultivars of zoysiagrass being used in Florida can be found here: http://landscape.ifas.ufl.edu/Breaking%20news/The%20New%20Kid%20on%20the%20Block-%20Zoysias%20May%2007.pdf