Keeping a healthy, green grass in your yard is a very difficult task and will require a lot of planning and hard work. A zoysia lawn can make all the hard work worth your while. It gives a perfect carpet covering and with distinct characteristics like being able to withstand heavy traffic, this grass should be the top consideration for your home. Zoysia grass has several species, with those commonly found in residential areas sharing similar characteristics. These distinct traits make some types grow better or worse under some climatic conditions, especially in parts of the country that are hot with little rainfall.
Some of the reasons the zoysia grass should be a top choice for any homeowner include; ability to tolerate shade, drought, cold and traffic they also have a low fertilizer requirement. And with several varieties to choose from, Zoysia grass types can provide different advantages, it all depends on your desire for planting the grass, your time and energy investment in maintaining your lawn and the conditions of your lawn.
The zoysia leaves are coarse in texture and are light green in color and are commonly used for lawns or turf areas. Although they can be propagated by seeds, they are usually established by sodding or plugging.
Different Types of Zoysia grasses:
There are several types of zoysia grasses available, a few of them are commonly used. Here we will try to make these types familiar to you:
Zoysia Matrella
Often called the manila grass about its place of origin, this zoysia grass grows well in moderate shade and has a low tolerance for cold weather. It is perennial and does well in tropical and subtropical regions. It can be used for high quality and high maintenance turfs.
Zoysia matrella can turn brown during the winter season, and return to its green color during spring.
Their leaves are pointed, narrow and wiry when compared to other varieties. The zoysia matrella has a slow growth rate and may take a long time to get established. Manila grass varieties are used in golf courses, as they can tolerate a low mowing height and use small amounts of fertilizer and water for maintenance. Some of its cultivars include Cavalier, Diamond, Omni, Pristine Flora, Rollmaster, Shadowturf, Zeon and Zorro.
Zoysia japonica
Zoysia japonica is a light green color, Perennial growing grass whose height can go up to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It produces leaf all year round, flowering starts from June to August, and the seeds it ripens from June to August.
It can be planted in all soil types but prefers a well-drained soil which must be moist at all times. It should not be grown in the shade. Zoysia japonica is commonly known as Japanese or Korean lawn grass. It has a faster growth rate when compared to other Zoysia grass types and is also more tolerant of cold weather. It’s the only Zoysia grass type that can be grown from seed, although using sod or plugs gives a higher-quality turf. These leaves are hairy leaves and rough in texture.
Some cultivars include Meyer Zoysia grass, which is often dubbed as “super” grass because it spreads quicker than other Zoysia varieties and is colder tolerant but can be prone to nematode damage. Another cultivar is the Belaire, which can get established even faster than Meyer grass. It has a medium green color and has excellent cold tolerance, and is vulnerable to large patches.
Emerald Zoysia Grass
It is considered as the most attractive zoysia grass type because it has a fine leaf texture and dark 
green blades. It is a hybrid between Z. japonica and Z. tenuifolia. While it is similar to the Manila grass, Emerald grass spreads faster and is used to get a top-quality lawn. It is slow-growing, relatively shade tolerant, has a low winter tolerance and is vulnerable to brown patch. Be careful not to over-fertilize this grass as it can develop excess thatch quickly.
Empire Zoysia
This zoysia grass is the perfect grass for residential areas with a dark green colour, blades that are soft to the touch, deep thick roots and it spreads quickly. It also has good shade tolerance and excellent tolerance for drought and also good tolerance to heat and cold. It also has excellent wear tolerance, it is disease resistant and requires lesser chemical, water and mowing applications. It can be used for homes, golf courses and stadium turf.
Having taken a look at the analysis given with regards to the Zoysia grass types my personal recommendation for homeowners will be the Empire Zoysia grass. With features like wear and drought resistance, requiring less water and chemical applications. While also having good weed control, it is the best for any home. But look at the characteristics of each one and see what fits your home needs.