Kikuyu Grass
Cenchrus clandestinus · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, with limited suitability in warm parts of Zone 8.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Kikuyu
About This Grass
A very aggressive, coarse-textured, light to bright green grass that forms an extensive, dense turf. Unmowed, it can grow up to 6 to 12 inches high, but when regularly mown, it forms a tight carpet. Characterized by numerous small, feathery seed heads that are largely concealed within the leaf sheaths.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium width (3-5mm), flat, light green to bright green, with blunt tips and scattered hairs on both surfaces. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, aggressive root system with thick rhizomes and vigorous stolons. Highly drought tolerant once established, rapid wear recovery, and forms a significant amount of thatch.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to East Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide.
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous and rhizomatous, forming a thick, dense, spongy mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (poor shade tolerance), moderate to high water needs for optimal green color, but exhibits high drought tolerance through dormancy.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 1.0 to 2.0 inches. Requires frequent mowing during the growing season due to rapid vertical growth. High maintenance regarding edging and control.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and rapid recovery, poor shade tolerance, highly invasive in certain regions, forms heavy thatch, and competes aggressively against weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in many regions where it can behave aggressively and invasively. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its dense mat-forming root and stolon network.