Kikuyu Grass
Cenchrus clandestinus · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass; highly invasive and adaptable in transition zones
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Kikuyu (wild type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11; performs exceptionally well in mild coastal Mediterranean climates and transition zones with frost-free winters. Goes dormant and turns straw-colored with frost.
About This Grass
Forms an aggressive, dense, bright green turf that can grow quite coarse and shaggy if left unmowed. Height ranges from 1 to 6 inches depending on maintenance. Exhibits a vivid bright green color that may turn yellowish-green under moisture or nutrient stress. Seed heads are hidden within the leaf sheaths (cleistogamous), showing only protruding stamens and stigmas.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse texture (3-6mm wide), flat to folded in the bud with rounded to blunt tips. Bright green color, prominent midrib, hairy leaf sheaths, membranous ligule with a fringe of hairs, and clasping auricles often present.
Root System
Deep, aggressive, and extensive root system with both thick rhizomes and fast-spreading surface stolons. Rapid establishment speed, tends to build up a thick thatch layer, highly drought resistant once established, and aggressively repairs wear damage.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to East Africa (Kenya highlands); naturalized globally in warm, temperate, and subtropical coastal regions
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous and rhizomatous, forming a dense, thick, mat-like turf and ground cover
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal growth; moderately shade tolerant but thins out in deep shade. Moderate to high water needs for best appearance, though it possesses strong drought tolerance by going dormant during dry spells. Prefers well-drained fertile soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 1.0 to 2.5 inches. Requires frequent mowing during the active growing season (spring/summer) due to rapid horizontal and vertical growth. High fertilizer requirement for peak green color. High maintenance level due to aggressive spreading into flower beds and neighboring lawns.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recuperative ability from heavy use. Moderate salt tolerance. High tendency to invade gardens and flower beds, often treated as a weed in non-turf areas. Excellent erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in most of its cultivation range. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its extensive mat. Can become an aggressive weed in natural ecosystems and agricultural areas, outcompeting native vegetation. Often used for pasture forage in dairy regions.