Why is my Kikuyu grass dying?

Kikuyu grass is damaged by a fungal disease called Verrucalvus flavofaciens which causes the turf to be yellowish. This fungal disease attacks the root system by causing a root rot and can in severe cases cause dead of patches of turf.

Pennisetum clandestinum, Kikuyu Lawn, Kikuyu Grass

Kikuyu grass (named after a tribe in Kenya) was imported to South Africa from Kenya in the 1950s. Kikuyu grass has a fast growing tempo and is mainly used in both residential and commercial projects which has high traffic such as spots fields. It needs more water than other grass varieties in order to sustain this fast-growing tempo. Since it originated from a semi-tropical and warm climate, it cannot tolerate shade or semi-shade areas. Kikuyu lawn needs to be mowed regularly probably at least once every two weeks in order to maintain a good look and feel.

Kikuyu grass characteristics

Below are some of the key characteristics of Kikuyu grass:

Vigorous grower, light green in colour
Hard wearing
Produces an excellent lawn if cut regularly in summer
Spreads quickly
Coarse leaf texture
Tolerates a variety of soil types, frequent fertilising might not be necessary
Requires full sun, a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is required to thrive
Goes dormant in winter
Deep rooted
Good recovery from drought
Fast establishment rate

Planting of Kikuyu grass

Kikuyu lawn can be planted through:

Seeds, not advisable if inexperinced.
Sods (blocks of 2 or 3 pieces per m2), the mostly recommended way since the grass is already established at the farm

Kikuyu lawn maintenance

The following are some of the key things to keep in mind after planting Kikuyu lawn:

Water often at the beginning, but less frequently as it becomes establish otherwise frequent mowing is required.
The lawn texture depends on how it is maintained. The more its mowed, the thinner the grass blades become and the finer the texture will be.

Summary of Kikuyu grass characteristics

Botanical Name:	Pennisetum clandestinum
Common Name(s):	Kikuyu grass, West african pennisetum
Categories:	Instant Grasses
Traffic:	High traffic tolerant
Spread:	Establishes and spreads quickly
Origin:	Exotic
Light:	Full sun
Winter Behaviour:	Dormant, leaves might turn brown if its too cold
Maintenance:	Cut at least once week in summer; once in 3 to 4 weeks in winter if necessary
Watering:	At least once or more if necessary a week in summer; at lest once a week in winter

Fine Lines Landscaping offers Pennisetum clandestinum, Kikuyu Lawn, Kikuyu Grass for Sale in Randburg, Sandton, Parktown, Northriding, Krugersdrop, Kempton Park, Roodepoort, Centurion, Midrand, Pretoria, Rumsig, Lanseria, Benoni, Germiston. Kikuyu grass can be ordered online or through WhatApp 063 335 5126 or phone call to 010 213 4275 or email sales@finelineslandscaping.co.za or by visiting us at the nursery. Deliveries are either done on the same day or next day or next possible day depending on availability of the Kikuyu grass.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Below are some of the frequently asked questions about Kikuyu grass.

Is Kikuyu a good grass?

Kikuyu grass is well-known for its rapid lush green growth, drought hardiness, resistance to wear, and ability to survive gardener neglect. Its ability to spread quickly makes it suitable for lawns that take high traffic from children or pets.

Where does kikuyu grass grow best?

Kikuyu grows well in open sunny areas of the garden. Generally, it is widely adaptable and performs well in most parts of Southern Africa.

Is Kikuyu hard to maintain?

It's low-maintenance and doesn't need much watering.

What happens to Kikuyu grass in winter?

During winter Kikuyu goes into a certain level of dormancy and will stop growing when exposed to frost. Kikuyu doesn't perform well in low light or shaded areas as it requires at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight in order to thrive.

Does Kikuyu grass go brown in winter?

Kikuyu lawn is a warm-season grass, it's actively growing during the warmer months of the year. During winter, it slows down and can go into a certain level of dormancy; slowing growth and discolouring (i.e. getting brown) over time.

When should I plant Kikuyu grass?

Its best to plant Kikuyu grass anytime from early spring to later summer.

How often should I cut Kikuyu grass?

Kikuyu is best when maintained between 30mm to 40mm throughout the year. Moreover, annual scarifying should be done between October and December. In addition to that, mowing should be done every 7-10 days. During autumn and winter, mowing can be done every 2-5 weeks only if necessary.

How long does Kikuyu turf take to establish?

New turf usually takes 6 weeks to establish its root system if laid properly.

What is kikuyu grass used for?

Kikuyu grass is sometimes used as pastures for grazing, hay or silage. It is also used in erosion control and as ornamental turf.

Does kikuyu grass grow in shade?

Kikuyu grass originates from a semi-tropical and warm climate, it cannot handle shade or semi-shade areas.

How often should I water Kikuyu grass?

New laid grass requires watering twice a day for the first 14 days. Matured kikuyu grass requires watering every 7 to 10 days, or whenever the turf shows signs of moisture stress.

Where can I buy Kikuyu grass near me in Gauteng