A weed and grass free seed bed should be established in the beginning. Later, after Zoysia has established the aggressive dense growth will crowd out weeds and other grasses. Varieties have different textures ranging from coarse to fine. Newer varieties can now be planted from seed, which in the past were only propagated through sod, sprigs and plugs. The slow growing aspect makes Zoysia a lower maintenance lawn.
Zoysias fall under three species categories with varieties developed from each.
Lawns planted with sprigs or plugs may take up to two years to fully develop into the thick density that a Zoysia lawn is capable of producing. Zoysia seeded lawns will be quicker to establish than sprigs or plugs and under ideal conditions can be established in five months. The species brought from Manila is commonly called Manila Zoysiagrass. The japonica species originated in China. Tenuifolia was introduced from the Far East.