Growing Doob Grass | Durva Grass Benefits and Uses

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Last Updated: 11.03.2024
Dhruvdeep Singh
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Meet Dhruv, a writer and nature lover from Amritsar, Punjab, who fell in love with gardening during the lockdown. With a B.Tech in Computer Science and over four years of writing experience, he brings a tech-savvy perspective to gardening. Dhruv's articles are a journey into the world of plants, offering exciting adventures for fellow nature enthusiasts.

Scutch Grass is popular in Indian spiritualism and Ayurveda. We’ll show you everything about Growing Doob Grass and maintaining it!

gobotany

Durva Grass has a religious significance in India along with many therapeutic properties. All this makes Growing Doob Grass a good option in the lawns. If you are planning to grow it in your yard, then here’s all you need to know!

Botanical Name: Cynodon dactylon

Other Names: Bermuda grass, Dhoob, dūrvā grass, ethana grass, dubo, dog’s tooth grass, Bahama grass, devil’s grass, couch grass, Indian doab, arugampul, grama, wiregrass, and scutch grass


What is Durva Grass?

Durva grass, also known as doob, is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘duhu’ and ‘avam’; that is, it brings distant spiritual particles of god closer to the worshipper. This sacred grass is popular for its medicinal and religious significance, and Hindus offer it to Lord Ganesha during pooja.

It is a sacred grass that you can weave into sacred threads and bracelets and wear as a symbol of protection from negativity and bad luck.


How to Identify Durva Grass?

Doob can grow up to 5-30 cm tall. Each stem is covered with multiple gray-green blades that are 5-15 cm long. Dhurva ghas creeps on the ground, forming a dense mat.

Here’s How to Identify Giloy Plant?


Growing Doob Grass

Start with some good seeds – they’re easily available. Once you have the seeds, put them in a tray and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Don’t put too much, as it can inhibit germination. Mist them daily so that they’re moist but not too wet. After around 3-4 weeks, the seeds will germinate. Then, you can transfer these little seedlings to your lawn.

Select an open and sunny place in the yard, that gets at least 5-6 hours of sunlight. Prepare the land by removing stones, weeds, and debris. Add farmyard or well-rotted cow dung manure in the soil, and mix it well. Then gently plant the tiny Durva seedlings. It’ll take a couple of months, but the small plants will grow into lush doob grass.

Bonus tip: In Hindu culture, Doob grass is considered sacred and is often used in religious ceremonies. You can plant a small pot of Doob near your home temple or puja altar for good luck and blessings.


Requirements for Growing Durva Grass

Sunlight

Durva needs the full sun and will benefit if it gets 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Doob grass can also tolerate a bit of shade, but then it grows slowly.

Soil

Doob grass prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soil with a pH of 6.0 – 7.5. Here’s the perfect mix for it:

  • 1 part garden soil.
  • 2 parts of red sand for drainage and aeration. 
  • 1/2 part cow dung for nutrients.
  • 1/4 part cocopeat for moisture retention.

Mix these well, and you’re good to do.

Watering

You’ll need to water your Doob lawn regularly. Keep it moist but don’t let the soil get soggy. Just check the top inch of the soil. If it’s dry, give it a good soak.

Learn Why is Drip Irrigation the Best Method of Watering Plants

Temperature

Durva needs a temperature of 20-35°C (68-95°F) for flourishing. The plant can tolerate a bit of variation, but if the temperature falls below 15°C (59°F), the growth will slow down a lot. Also, it needs a moderate humidity level with good air circulation.


Doob Grass Care

Growing your Doob grass is just the first step. If you want to make sure it lasts long and grows lush, here’s what to do.

Fertilizer

Durva does not need much fertilizer, but a little bit will definitely help. Take a bit of cow dung fertilizer and feed it to the grass in spring and then in fall. That’s enough to make it grow beautifully.

Here’s Why Adding Manure and Fertilizers to the Plants is Beneficial

Aeration

If the soil beneath the grass becomes compacted, take a garden fork and aerate it. This will provide aeration and help the roots grow better.

Pruning

Your plant won’t need much pruning, but you should do it to maintain a good shape. Do it between the warm Indian seasons of spring and early fall (March to October). But don’t prune it in winter, as it will stress the plant.

Pests and Diseases

Doob grass is fairly resistant, but armyworms and white grubs can pose a problem. If you find these, take care of them using neem oil or an insecticidal spray. Also, brown spots may be a sign of leaf spot.


Durva Grass Benefits

  • Having a glass of durva grass juice on an empty stomach in the morning relieves ulcers and acidity.
  • Doob grass has a hypoglycemic effect; thus, a mixture of neem and doob grass juice keeps blood sugar levels in check.
  • A decoction prepared from 3 tsp doob grass, 4-5 black peppers, and a pinch of cumin seeds helps to control obesity and weight.
  • Applying doob grass juice around the eyes works as an eye cooler and relieves eye infections.
  • Walking barefoot on this grass, preferably during the morning time improves eyesight.

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