Closes gaps quickly
Vigorous growth through stolons and rhizomes supports rapid cover.
Kikuyu Grass 1 kg
Vigorous spread, rapid recovery and good performance through mild coastal winters.
Available cultivar: AZ-1 or Whittet, depending on availability. Check the pack label before sowing.
- Warm-season turfgrass
- 1 kg pack
- Coverage Whittet: about 100 m² · for AZ-1 check the label
- Late spring through summer
Kikuyu is intended for spaces that need vigorous turf: it spreads by stolons and rhizomes, withstands wear and repairs damaged areas quickly. It performs best in warmth and sun, while mild coastal climates often allow it to retain winter colour longer than other warm-season grasses.
CORRECT ESTABLISHMENT
Success starts before the first seed is sown
A clean seedbed, correct rate, even distribution and steady surface moisture are the four factors that determine whether turf starts densely and without gaps.
- New-lawn rate: Whittet: 10 g/m² · for AZ-1 follow the pack label.
- Estimated coverage: Whittet: about 100 m² · for AZ-1 check the label.
- Sowing: late spring through summer · consistently warm days · soil above 18°c.
Do not skip: split the seed across two perpendicular directions and irrigate with a fine spray so it stays in place.
Handles wear and drought
It offers high traffic tolerance and strong heat and drought performance once established.
A longer active season
In mild coastal climates it often retains better winter colour than Bermuda grass.
01Sowing step by step
Calculate the rate across a clean area using Whittet: 10 g/m² · for AZ-1 follow the pack label. The 1 kg pack covers Whittet: about 100 m² · for AZ-1 check the label for a new sowing.
- 01Clear and level: remove weeds and stones, refine the upper soil layer and create a firm, even seedbed.
- 02Cross-sow: apply half the quantity in one direction and the other half at right angles for more even distribution.
- 03Cover correctly: work the seed Whittet: about 1–1.5 cm · check the label into the surface and press very lightly to ensure soil contact.
- 04Water gently: use a fine spray without runoff and without moving the seed.
Important for Kikuyu: The available pack may be AZ-1 or Whittet. Because rate and sowing depth differ, follow the label on the pack you receive first.
02Watering, emergence & first cut
Until emergence is even, keep the surface consistently moist rather than waterlogged. Frequency changes with sun, wind and soil type, so check actual moisture instead of following a fixed schedule blindly.
- 01Before emergence: use short, gentle irrigation so the surface never dries out.
- 02After emergence: increase the amount gradually and reduce frequency to encourage deeper rooting.
- 03Expected start: Whittet: typically 14–21 days.
- 04First cut: Wait until it has rooted and thickened. Never remove more than one third of the leaf; final height depends on whether the pack is Whittet or AZ-1.
03Technical profile
SpeciesCenchrus clandestinus (syn. Pennisetum clandestinum)
TypeWarm-season turfgrass
Pack1 kg
Estimated coverageWhittet: about 100 m² · for AZ-1 check the label
New sowingWhittet: 10 g/m² · for AZ-1 follow the pack label
OverseedingWhittet: about 2.5–5 g/m²
SeasonLate spring through summer
TemperatureConsistently warm days · soil above 18°C
DepthWhittet: about 1–1.5 cm · check the label
EmergenceWhittet: typically 14–21 days
ShadeModerate tolerance
WearHigh
MowingWhittet: about 2.5–7.5 cm · AZ-1 lower
Winter behaviourBetter winter colour in mild coastal climates
The options at a glance
There is no single seed for every space; sun, temperature and intensity of use determine the right choice.
| Option | Type | Best suited to | Wear tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merida | Cool-season tall fescue | Dark colour · drought · sun/light shade | Very high |
| Bizem | Cool-season tall fescue | Density · lower mowing · demanding use | Very high |
| Bermuda | Warm-season grass | Full sun · heat · salinity | High |
| KikuyuTHIS ONE | Warm-season grass | Rapid recovery · mild coastal climates | High |
| Dichondra | Broadleaf groundcover | Shade · soft texture · minimal mowing | Low |
Kikuyu 1Kg
Contains 1 kg of seed. At the recommended new-lawn rate of Whittet: 10 g/m² · for AZ-1 follow the pack label, theoretical coverage is Whittet: about 100 m² · for AZ-1 check the label. Actual use varies with preparation, edges and handling losses. The available pack may be AZ-1 or Whittet. Because rate and sowing depth differ, follow the label on the pack you receive first.
Frequently asked questions
Concise, practical answers before you begin sowing.
01How much area does the pack cover?
At the new-lawn rate of Whittet: 10 g/m² · for AZ-1 follow the pack label, the 1 kg pack covers Whittet: about 100 m² · for AZ-1 check the label. Allow a small margin for edges, handling losses and local interseeding.
02When is the right time to sow?
Late spring through summer. Wait for consistently warm days · soil above 18°c and avoid extreme heat, frost or heavy rain immediately after sowing.
03How should I water during establishment?
Keep the upper soil layer consistently moist with short, gentle irrigation. Once the seedlings have rooted, increase the amount gradually and space irrigation further apart.
04Will I receive AZ-1 or Whittet?
The available cultivar may be AZ-1 or Whittet. Whittet is more vigorous and coarser, while AZ-1 is lower growing and less aggressive. Check the pack label before calculating final rate and depth.
© Original product description and diagrams by Greenleaf Garden Center. All rights reserved.