Kikuyu Grass per 1m²

Kikuyu Grass (Pennisetum clandestinum), imported from Kenya and a South African staple since the 1950s, is a vigorous, fast-growing perennial warm-season turf that forms a dense, bright-green mat with coarse, flat blades and upright growth. It’s aggressive via underground rhizomes and surface runners, thriving in full sun but turning invasive if unchecked – great for quick coverage, but a nightmare if you slack on maintenance.

Pros

• Bulletproof durability: Handles heavy foot traffic like kids, dogs, sports, or parties without dying – recovers fast from wear, drought, and injury thanks to deep roots.

• Drought and heat tolerant: Once established, it laughs off dry Johannesburg summers and water restrictions, needing less irrigation than thirstier grasses.

• Fast establishment: Spreads quickly for affordable, year-round coverage in mild climates; low initial cost and maintenance if you mow regularly.

• Versatile and tough: Grows in most soils, erosion control champ, and disease-resistant – ideal for sunny SA spots.

Cons

• Shade hater: Trash in any semi-shade or tree-covered yard – needs 6+ hours of full sun daily or it thins out and dies.

• Invasive bully: Overruns flower beds, paths, and neighbors if not edged; fast growth means mowing every 5-7 days in summer or it looks wild.

• Coarse and thirsty at start: Not soft underfoot like LM; needs regular watering initially, and can yellow or go dormant in Gauteng’s frosty winters.

• High effort for control: Prone to weeds if neglected; not frost-proof, so expect patchy looks in cold snaps.

Best Uses

• High-traffic residential lawns, play areas, or family yards in full sun – perfect for homes with active kids/pets.

• Sports fields, parks, golf roughs, or erosion-prone sites; also livestock pasture.

• Sunny, dry spots needing quick, tough coverage; mix with shade grasses like LM for varied yards.

• Avoid for shady gardens, low-maintenance dreams, or frost-heavy zones – push LM or Buffalo instead.