If you're planning to develop a lush green lawn in India, selecting the right grass and matching it with the correct lawn mower is essential—not just for aesthetics, but also for ease of maintenance and long-term satisfaction.

Over time, talking with fellow gardening enthusiasts and learning from practical experience, I’ve come to understand the basic differences among the four most commonly used grass types in India: Selection 1, Nilgiri (Korean), Mexican, and Carpet Grass. Each has its own characteristics, and knowing these helps us make smarter choices, especially when selecting a lawn mower.

Selection 1 Grass – The Low-Maintenance Favorite

Selection 1 is among the most popular lawn grasses in India, especially for home gardens and medium-sized lawns. This grass is thin, soft, light-weight, and easy to trim. Its upright growth pattern makes it very compatible with manual lawn mowers or light-weight electric lawn mowers. Even if you're maintaining a lawn by yourself, this grass won't demand much physical effort. That’s why Selection 1 is often preferred in residential setups.

Best For: Small to medium lawns where easy maintenance and soft texture are priorities.

Nilgiri Grass (Also Known as Korean Grass)

Nilgiri or Korean grass is quite different. It’s denser, thicker, and often grows in a tangled or matted pattern. Its slow growth rate is a plus in terms of mowing frequency, but the tangled nature makes it challenging to cut using manual or lightweight electric mowers. The resistance from the blades can make it feel like a workout!

For this type of grass, it's best to use heavy-duty electric or petrol-powered lawn mowers that offer stronger torque and durable blades.

Best For: Gardeners looking for a slow-growing, ornamental grass and are okay with investing in more robust equipment.

Mexican Grass – Like Walking on a Sponge

Mexican grass is known for its velvety feel—soft and cushiony, almost like walking on a sponge. It’s very comfortable for barefoot walking and gives a premium finish to lawns. However, maintaining this grass can be tricky. It tends to grow densely and can get matted and thick, making manual mowing quite difficult.

Just like with Korean grass, petrol or heavy-duty electric lawn mowers are ideal to handle this sponge-like texture.

Best For: Premium landscapes or homes that want both comfort and appearance, and don’t mind putting in extra effort or investment.

Carpet Grass – Beautiful but Demanding

Carpet grass has a similar appearance to Mexican grass but often grows lower and denser, forming a very tight mat across the ground. This makes it aesthetically beautiful but harder to mow. The tightly packed growth doesn't respond well to lighter mowers.

Heavy-duty electric or petrol mowers are recommended here as well, to avoid damaging the mower or leaving an uneven cut.

Best For: High-end lawns, resorts, or larger garden spaces where visual appeal is paramount.

Lawn Size Matters Too!

If your lawn area is very small, you can still go with manual mowers—even for tougher grass types. But for larger lawns (like 1 acre or more), especially those planted with Nilgiri or Mexican grass, manual mowing can become physically exhausting and inefficient. In those cases, it's wise to invest in a strong electric or petrol mower for long-term convenience.

Conclusion

This guide is based on real-world gardening experiences, local landscapers’ advice, and horticulture knowledge. While I’m still learning every day, combining these practical insights with expert information ensures you make the best choice for your lawn.

Whether you’re a home gardener or maintaining a commercial lawn, understanding your grass type and choosing the right mower can save you time, effort, and money—and keep your greens looking perfect all year round!