Best Fertiliser for Kikuyu Grass

Kikuyu is hardy and fast-spreading, but it also uses nutrients quickly. When it isn’t fed consistently, Kikuyu often becomes:

Pale or washed-out in colour
Patchy, thin or uneven across high-use areas
Dry or coarse in texture, rather than soft and thick

To stay dense and green, Kikuyu needs regular feeding that supports strong leaf growth and runner development.

This means Kikuyu responds best to:

Nitrogen-forward fertilising to drive deep green colour and soft leaf texture
Trace elements such as iron and magnesium to prevent yellowing fade
Liquid application so nutrients are absorbed quickly through both leaf and root tissue

For this reason, the most effective fertiliser for Kikuyu lawns is:

CompleteGrow Lawn Grow — Hose-On Liquid Lawn Fertiliser

It delivers fast green-up, supports strong runner spread, and keeps Kikuyu looking thick, soft and healthy throughout the growing season.

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How Often to Fertilise Kikuyu Grass

Kikuyu performs best when fed consistently through the warmer months. This maintains strong runner growth and keeps colour rich.

Spring: Feed every 4–6 weeks to restart active growth after winter.
Summer: Continue feeding every 4–6 weeks for peak thickness and colour.
Autumn: Apply a final feed to hold colour deeper into cooler conditions.
Winter: Only lightly feed in warm climates — Kikuyu slows naturally in cold regions.

Consistent feeding prevents Kikuyu from losing colour, thinning, or developing a coarse texture.

Watering Kikuyu Grass

Kikuyu prefers deep, occasional watering instead of frequent light watering. This encourages the roots to grow down, making the lawn more drought-tolerant and less patchy.

Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone.
Allow the surface to dry slightly between watering cycles.
Best time to water: Early morning to prevent fungal stress.

Signs of underwatering:

Dull or grey-green colour
Lighter yellow edges on leaves
Crunchy or dry feeling underfoot

Signs of overwatering:

Soft, spongey areas
Algae or moss patches
Shallow roots and weak growth

Mowing Schedule for Kikuyu

Regular mowing encourages Kikuyu to grow sideways, thickening the lawn naturally.

Spring–Summer: Mow every 7–10 days.
Autumn: Mow every 2 weeks as growth slows.
Winter: Mow only when needed.

Tips for a softer, denser Kikuyu lawn:

Never cut more than one-third of the blade length at once.
Raise the mower height slightly in hot or dry periods.
Use mulch-mowing during healthy growth to retain moisture.

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How to Apply CompleteGrow Lawn Grow to Kikuyu

Lightly water the lawn the day prior if the soil is dry.
Attach the Lawn Grow hose-on bottle to your garden hose.
Spray evenly across the entire lawn in smooth overlapping passes.
Allow the lawn to absorb the fertiliser for 30 minutes, then lightly water in.

You should begin to see improvements in:

Colour: Deeper green within 7–14 days
Density: Runners thickening and spreading
Softness: Leaf texture becoming smoother and more lush

FAQ

Why is my Kikuyu turning yellow?
Often a sign of nitrogen or iron deficiency. Feeding with Lawn Grow corrects this and restores deep green colour.

Can I use Lawn Grow in summer?
Yes — summer is when Kikuyu grows most strongly and benefits the most from feeding.

Does Kikuyu need more fertiliser than buffalo?
Yes — Kikuyu grows faster and uses nutrients quicker, so regular feeding is important.

Is liquid fertiliser better than slow-release granules?
Liquid fertiliser gives faster visible green-up and supports recovery and thickening. Granules can be used later for ongoing maintenance, if needed.

How do I thicken Kikuyu?
Feed consistently, mow regularly, and water deeply — this encourages new runner spread. Lawn Grow accelerates this process.