Kikuyu Grass
LawnPennisetum clandestinum, Kikuyugrass
Aggressively spreading warm-season grass native to East Africa, now dominant in Australia, South Africa, and Mediterranean-climate gardens. Highly vigorous and wear-tolerant — recovers quickly from damage, ideal for sports fields and family lawns with heavy use. Spreads by both stolons and rhizomes at high speed — will invade garden beds and must be contained with deep (15 cm) edging. Mow at 2.5–5 cm; if left unmown grows thick and coarse. Turns yellow-tan in winter dormancy below 10°C; green-up rapid when temperatures warm. Kikuyu yellows (Veticillium fungus) is the most serious disease — no effective cure; affected areas must be removed and replanted. Water deeply but infrequently. Fertilise 3–4x per year during growing season. Excellent drought recovery but benefits from irrigation in summer. Not suitable for cold climates. Popular in coastal Australia, Western Cape (SA), California, and southern Mediterranean regions.
When to sow Kikuyu grass
Sow 4–10 weeks after your last spring frost.
Dashed line: typical last spring frost in zone 7 (Apr 5). Zone dates are averages; most of the UK is zone 8–9, central Europe 6–7 and the Baltics and Scandinavia 4–6. In the app, Tomatograph uses your garden's own frost dates.
How to establish and care for Kikuyu grass
- 1
Plant in warm weather
Sow or plant runners in late spring once temperatures warm. Kikuyu is extremely vigorous and wear-tolerant.
- 2
Contain it
It spreads fast above and below ground and invades beds. Install edging about 15 cm deep.
- 3
Mow
Mow at 2.5–5 cm; left long it becomes thick and coarse.
- 4
Water and feed
Water deeply but infrequently, and feed 3–4 times during the growing season. It yellows in winter below about 10 °C.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun
Water
Medium water
Temperature
0–40 °C
Frost tolerance
Frost-sensitive — protect below 0 °C
Ideal soil pH
5.5–7.5
How Tomatograph watches your Kikuyu grass
Tomatograph checks your local forecast every morning and only speaks up when one of these applies to your garden.
- 30 °C or more with under 5 mm of rain forecast over 3 daysDeep-watering reminder before the lawn goes into heat stress.
- 3 nights at 0 °C or below in the forecastDormancy notice: stop regular watering, mowing and feeding until spring green-up.
- 30–60 days before your first frostAutumn prep window: aerate, overseed bare patches and apply a slow-release feed.
- Over 20 mm of rain forecast over 3 daysTells you to skip irrigation until the ground dries out.
Kikuyu Grass questions
- When should I sow Kikuyu grass?
- Sow 4–10 weeks after your last spring frost.
Growing guide written by Tomatograph. Zone frost dates are averages from openplantdb (CC0 1.0).