Kikuyu Grass

About Kikuyu

Kikuyu, a native of the highlands of East Africa, is now naturalised in many coastal and northern regions of New Zealand. It's the most vigorous of all lawn grasses, spreading by stout stolons (runners) and rhizomes. For this reason, it's often been regarded as an undesirable nuisance in home gardens. But when kept within bounds, by mowing strips and judicious use of weedkillers, kikuyu makes an attractive, resilient, hard-wearing lawn that copes with environments where cool-season grasses struggle.

It stays greener in summer than cool-climate grasses, but may brown off in winter due to going dormant (usually only for a short period). Kikuyu tolerates partial shade, growing well under tree canopies all the way to the trunk. It revels in warm weather and tolerates spells of drought, but it will benefit from watering in very hot, dry conditions. Kikuyu prefers frost-free regions of New Zealand. It forms a dense turf that resists weeds, pest insects and disease.

Kikuyu responds dramatically to nitrogen fertilisers. We recommend the use of slow release fertilisers, like Yates Lawn Fertiliser Quarterly or the gentle release of Yates Dynamic Lifter Concentrated Lawn Food.

Yates Kikuyu Lawn Seed is available at your favourite local retail store. Our kikuyu is a blend containing turf-type kikuyu seed and annual ryegrass: because kikuyu germinates quite slowly, the ryegrass acts as a fast-germinating 'nursery' grass. The ryegrass provides shelter, minimises soil erosion and reduces weed competition while the kikuyu seedlings establish themselves. Kikuyu can take its time to establish, so it may require patience at first.

Kikuyu is best sown in late spring or early summer, when the soil temperature is warm (optimum germination occurs when soil is above 21°C). As kikuyu seed is very fine, mix it thoroughly before dispersing it. Sow kikuyu at 1kg per 66m², or as directed on the product label. Seedlings emerge in between seven and twenty-one days.

Kikuyu runners can be planted in spring or summer, and kikuyu turf can be laid at almost any time of the year.

Pro Tip - we don't recommend using Yates Weed 'n' Feed hose-on or Yates Turfix on your kikuyu lawn, because kikuyu is sensitive to selective weedkillers and there's a risk of burn damage. Yates Weed'n'Feed Granular is your safe option for kikuyu and other warm-season grasses.