Mexican Carpet Grass vs. Bermuda Grass: Which is Right for You?

The Great Debate: Mexican vs. Bermuda

When you decide to plant a lawn in India, you are almost immediately presented with two main choices: Mexican Carpet Grass and Bermuda Grass. While there are other varieties, these two dominate the market. But are they interchangeable? Absolutely not. They are as different as chalk and cheese in terms of their needs, texture, and best use cases. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which grass deserves a place in your soil.

1. Appearance and Texture

Mexican Carpet Grass: As the name suggests, this grass looks and feels like a lush, thick carpet. It has broader blades with a lighter, vibrant green color. The texture is soft and spongy, making it a delight to walk on barefoot. It creates a very manicured, high-end look often seen in luxury resorts.

Bermuda Grass: This grass has much finer, thinner blades. It forms a dense, tight turf that looks very neat and uniform, similar to a putting green. The color is typically a deeper, darker green. While not as "cushiony" as Mexican grass, it provides a firm, consistent surface.

2. Sunlight and Shade Tolerance

Mexican Carpet Grass: It loves the sun but handles partial shade better than Bermuda. If you have a garden that gets shadowed by a boundary wall for part of the day, Mexican grass is more likely to survive without thinning out significantly.

Bermuda Grass: This is a sun worshipper. It needs full, direct sunlight for at least 6-7 hours a day. If you plant Bermuda grass in the shade, it will become "leggy," thin, and eventually die off. It is not suitable for tree-covered areas.

3. Durability and Traffic

Mexican Carpet Grass: This is where it falls short. Mexican grass is delicate. It can handle occasional walking, but it cannot withstand rough play, cricket matches, or constant foot traffic. The blades crush easily, and recovery is slow.

Bermuda Grass: This is the warrior of lawn grasses. It is used on sports fields worldwide because it self-repairs. It spreads via underground rhizomes and above-ground stolons, meaning if a chunk gets torn out, it fills back in quickly. It is the only choice for playgrounds and active families.

4. Maintenance Requirements

Mexican Carpet Grass:
Mowing: Less frequent. It grows slower than Bermuda.
Water: High water requirement. It is not very drought tolerant and needs moist soil.
Fertilizer: Moderate needs.

Bermuda Grass:
Mowing: Frequent. In peak season, you might need to mow it weekly to keep it looking sharp.
Water: Drought tolerant. It can survive dry spells by going dormant and bounces back when watered.
Fertilizer: High feeder. It needs regular nitrogen to stay dark green and dense.

The Verdict

Choose Mexican Carpet Grass If: You want a "show" garden. You prioritize aesthetics and softness over utility. You have distinct landscaping features and want a lush background that won't be trampled on regularly.

Choose Bermuda Grass If: You have kids, pets, or host parties on your lawn. You want a functional space that stays green despite the heat and activity. You are willing to mow regularly to maintain that golf-course look.

At Kavya Grass Nursery, we stock premium grades of both. We recommend assessing your lifestyle first—do you want to look at your lawn, or live on it?