Rhizome and stolon fragments and seeds disperse with landscape maintenance and agricultural machinery, hand tools, soil movement, water, and other human activities. Seed producing types reproduce normally. Seeds may be long-lived under field conditions and can survive ingestion by sheep. Spikelets with bristles disperse in late spring with wind, water, human activities, and by clinging to animals. Reproduces by seed and vegetatively by rhizomes .
Seed dispersal is similar to that of crimson fountaingrass .
In Australia, seedlings establish slowly and mortality is high. Early detection and hand removal of individual plants can help prevent the spread of these species. Discing kikuyugrass can expand infestations by spreading rhizome and stolon fragments. Cleaning agricultural and landscape maintenance equipment after use in infested areas can prevent the introduction of propagules to uninfested sites. Crimson fountaingrass and feathertop recover quickly after fire and may increase in density after a burn.