Kikuyu Grass
Pennisetum clandestinum (syn. Cenchrus clandestinus) · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Invasive/Weed Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Kikuyu (likely a wild-type or standard pasture variety given its aggressive habit)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 9-11; poor frost tolerance, turns brown and enters dormancy below 40°F (4°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, vigorous perennial that forms a dense, light-green sod. It has a coarse texture and enters dormancy in cold weather. Seed heads are largely inconspicuous as they are hidden within the leaf sheaths (clandestine), with only delicate white filaments occasionally appearing above the canopy.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (4-5mm); flat to slightly folded; pointed tips; light green to yellowish-green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent. Visible reddish-purple tinting on some older sheaths and stems.
Root System
Deep fibrous roots with thick, fleshy rhizomes and vigorous surface stolons. High thatch-forming tendency; very fast establishment; excellent drought tolerance and rapid recovery from wear.
Growing Information
Origin Region
East African Highlands; well-adapted to Mediterranean climates like California, Australia, and South Africa
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; Stoloniferous and Rhizomatous. Forms a thick, spongy mat with rapid lateral spread.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (performs poorly in shade); requires moderate watering but is highly drought-tolerant once established. Prefers well-drained, fertile soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height: 1.0 to 2.0 inches for turf. High frequency required due to rapid growth. Requires regular dethatching (verticutting) and low to moderate nitrogen fertilization (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year).
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and recovery speed; high salt tolerance; invasive potential due to aggressive spreading; crowds out most other grasses and weeds (including clover, as seen struggling in the image).
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in many regions; excellent for soil erosion control on slopes; provides minimal wildlife food value but good cover; often considered a noxious weed when escaping into natural ecosystems or flower beds.