Kikuyu Grass Dying? Here’s How to Tell if It’s Dead or Just Dormant

Kikuyu is one of the toughest warm-season grasses — it rarely dies completely. However, it can look dead when it is actually:

In winter dormancy (normal seasonal slowdown)
Starved of nitrogen (colour fades to pale tan or yellow)
Cut too short (scalping exposes stems and weakens the lawn)
Growing in compacted soil (roots can’t breathe or spread)
Recovering from heat/drought stress

Winter vs. Real Lawn Death — The Key Difference

Kikuyu in winter often:

Looks pale yellow or brownish
Slows growth and stops spreading
Feels slightly dry or stemmy underfoot

This is normal and **recovery begins when temperatures rise**. However, if your lawn has:

Completely bare soil patches
No runners visible
Soil hard like concrete

— then the area needs **repair**, not just seasonal care. The good news: Kikuyu regrows aggressively once fed and watered correctly — even from small remaining runners.

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The Real Reasons Kikuyu Starts Dying Back

Most dying or thinning Kikuyu is caused by:

Nutrient depletion — colour fades, growth slows
Soil compaction — roots can’t penetrate the soil
Scalping — lawn cut too short, leaf system lost
Shallow watering — weak, surface-level roots

How to Revive Dying Kikuyu (Fast Recovery Method)

1) Raise Your Mowing Height Set mower to:

30–40mm in warmer months
40–50mm in winter

More leaf = more chlorophyll = faster recovery. 2) Deep Water, Not Often Water:

2× per week in warm conditions
Ensure long, soaking sessions — not 5-minute sprinkles

3) Feed With a Nitrogen-Forward Liquid Fertiliser Kikuyu responds best to fast-available nutrients through both leaves and roots. Use:

CompleteGrow Lawn Grow — Hose-On Liquid Lawn Fertiliser

Why it revives Kikuyu so effectively:

Nitrogen boosts colour and runner activity
Iron + magnesium stop yellowing
Liquid formula absorbs rapidly for fast recovery

Expect visible improvement in:

7–14 days (colour return)
3–6 weeks (thickness + runner spread)

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Does Kikuyu Die in Winter?

No — Kikuyu does not die in winter. It simply slows down and may lose some colour. The roots and runners remain alive and restart strong growth in warmer weather. To minimise winter yellowing: