What are the downsides of zoysia grass?

Zoysia is more difficult to establish.

Zoysia is more difficult to establish than many grasses. Zoysia is slow growing, so it will take a while for the turf to completely cover the area where it’s planted. If you plan to use zoysia in high traffic areas or small patches, it’s best to keep in mind that high traffic areas may need more time and attention to fill in fully and small patches may not be able to sustain enough plant tissue for full coverage.

Zoysia can be established by seeding or sprigs/sod. In either case, specialized equipment is needed for establishment (and maintenance).

It requires a specialized mower.

Another downside is that you have to purchase, or use, a specialized mower for your lawn. Zoysia grass grows low to the ground and needs a sharp blade on your mower to cut it correctly. Most mowers don’t cut low enough but if you do find one that does, chances are you will be paying more than you would want.

It requires more maintenance than many grasses.

Zoysia grass can be mowed short, like a golf course. However, if you choose this route, you need to remove thatch regularly or it will begin to build up. Anyone who has ever seen the word “thatch” in a home and garden magazine knows that it is something you should avoid. Thatch makes grass look unsightly and also prevents water, fertilizer and air from reaching the soil below.

You don’t have to mow your zoysia grass at golf course height. If you prefer a more natural appearance for your lawn, consider letting your grass grow taller than normal before cutting it with a reel mower (a conventional power mower doesn’t work well on thick zoysia growth).

If you keep your zoysia grass healthy and green year round by practicing good lawn care habits, neighbors and passersby are likely to admire its lush beauty.

It’s not good for play areas.

• Zoysia grass is a fine-bladed lawn grass that is excellent for high traffic areas, but not so much for high-traffic areas.
• The thin blades of zoysia grass will not hold up to frequent foot traffic. If you have children or pets that like to play on the lawn, zoysia grass is not your best option.
• It’s also not ideal for an area around a pool or playground because of its thin blades. Zoysia is better suited as a lawn in an area where it will receive little foot traffic and there are no dogs or children running on it.

Brown patch can be a problem in moist areas, particularly those with heavy clay soils.

Brown patch is a fungus that infects zoysia grass. If you see brown patches in your lawn, you may have brown patch.

How to Prevent Brown Patch: Use a fungicide during humid or wet weather. During the spring and fall seasons, apply fungicides about every six weeks as a preventative measure for brown patch.

Treating Brown Patch: Begin using a fungicide when you notice irregularly shaped areas of thinning grass or dull-colored circular patches on your lawn that measure 2 to 3 feet in diameter. If your soil is heavy clay, use a fungicide every four weeks from late spring to early fall. Apply these fungicides according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the symptoms disappear and then continue applying them on an interval basis during humid weather as well as when wet conditions occur.

Preventing Recurrence: In heavy clay soils, rake up dead grass and remove it from the area prior to applying new seed or sod since this condition thrives in moisture-retentive soil. When preparing new planting sites and removing existing plants, do not till more than one inch into the soil since this brings fungi closer to the surface where they can infect your new lawn plants more easily.

You may need the help of a professional landscaper to establish it.

If you’re considering planting zoysia grass in your yard, there are a few potential downsides to be aware of.

The first is that the type of grass may require more attention than other types before it becomes established. Zoysia takes longer to establish a good root system than other grasses, and if you plant during periods when the soil is not moist enough for ideal growth, it’s possible for the grass to die off after sprouting.

Another consideration with zoysia is that it requires more fertilization to thrive—if you don’t keep up with feeding your new lawn, it’ll soon start looking unhealthy and may not grow as thickly as desired. You may want to consult with a professional landscaper if this aspect of care gives you pause. Establishing a new lawn can feel like an overwhelming task. Finally, if you live in an area that gets cold winters and warm summers (like here in the Midwest), dormancy could become an issue for your newly planted zoysia lawn—you may have to water more frequently during warmer months in order to protect against brown spots due to dormancy causing dehydration.

Zoysia grass may not be right for your particular yard, but it might work well for you if you’re looking for low-maintenance grass that survives well on its own.

So, you’ve heard about zoysia grass and now your mind is buzzing with questions. Should you get it? Is it the right grass for you?

There are many considerations to make. The first is whether or not you like the look of zoysia grass. Some people love its wavy blades, others prefer the clean-cut evenness of other types of grass. Decide what’s important to you. Zoysia is a warm-season grass that grows slowly and thickly once established, leading to less frequent mowing needs than some types of lawns; but if actively managing your lawn gives you joy rather than a pain in the neck, this might not be ideal for you. If instead being able to throw down a blanket and have a picnic without getting up every five minutes to trim the edges sounds good–zoysia could be perfect!

The next thing to consider is your soil type and drainage levels. Zoysia can handle dry spells well when it’s established, but it’s not great at coming back around after being drowned by standing water or muddy conditions. It loves clay soils that are well-drained but don’t dry out too much in hot weather (and who doesn’t?!).