Remove any weeds as they appear and keep the area moist in the dry season. After winter storms, leaves may be ragged and can be trimmed back a bit for best appearance. Divide clumps every three years if grown as standalone plants. Mondo grass needs very little fertilizing.

What is mondo grass good for?

An easy-to-grow, attractive groundcover, mondo grass is especially useful as a turf alternative in shade gardens. Its grass-like foliage forms dense tufts that slowly spread over time and require no mowing. On top of the crisp foliage, small stalks of flowers appear in summer, reminiscent of grape hyacinths.

Can I use mondo grass as a lawn?

Mondo grass lawns need no mowing, tolerate pretty deep shade and are very drought resistant. Mondo grass is also used to fill in areas between pavers and stepping stones. The dwarf varieties—named versions of O. japonicas that range in height from a tidy two to four inches—are especially good at this.

Should mondo grass be cut back?

Mondo Grass does not require pruning though you can give it an annual pruning or mowing in late winter, before new spring growth begins to emerge.

Can you walk on mondo grass?

Dwarf mondo grass can tolerate being walked on every now and then, but regular foot traffic will destroy it. If you’ll need to walk through an area planted with mondo grass, install stepping stones or another type of path. … Because it’s small and slow growing, dwarf mondo grass performs well as a houseplant.

Can you cut mondo grass with lawn mower?

If you have an expansive area of mondo grass, consider using a lawn mower with its blade set at 2 inches to quickly and evenly prune the patch. Dwarf selections of mondo grass that only grow 2 inches tall are best pruned by hand or a weed trimmer. Do not prune mondo grass back in fall and winter.

Will mondo grass choke out weeds?

If you are patient, dwarf mondo grass is another great choice; it will give you deep green color all year and choke out most weeds once it is established. … Dwarf mondo grass spreads by short rhizomes just under the soil surface. These may grow only an inch or so in a year.

Is mondo grass and monkey grass the same?

In so far as ‘monkey grass’ is often the terminology used for liriope, then yes, which is confusing since mondo grass is also called ‘monkey grass’ and yet liriope and mondo grass are not the same at all. In fact, they aren’t even grasses. Both are members of the Lily family.

How fast does mondo grass spread?

Standard mondo grass reaches a mature spread up to 1 foot wide within a year or two, but dwarf mondo grass needs two to three years under ideal conditions to reach its spread of 3 to 4 inches.

What can I plant with mondo grass?

Planting: Plant mondo grass from spring through fall in well-drained soil. Companions: Plant with ferns, impatiens, liriope, and begonia; black mondo grass is especially showy next to light colored foliage like Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’, blue fescue, and lime or bronze heuchera.

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Can you seed mondo grass?

Dwarf Mondo Grass Seeds Harvest seeds yourself and plant immediately. … Plant your seeds in sterile potting soil and place the pots in a cold frame or other cool area. These seeds will germinate best in cooler temperatures. Keep the dwarf mondo grass seeds moist at all times.

Is mondo grass toxic to dogs?

Mondo grass, which grows in rhizomatous clumps of slender and slippery leaves, can neither be pulled up nor pulled apart by canine paws.

Where do you put mondo grass?

Plants are light green in full sun but deeper green in shade. Either location works well provided soil is well draining and free of competitive weeds. You can separate clumps into sections, each with several stolons and plant 4 to 12 inches (10-31 cm.) apart depending on how quickly you want the area to fill in.

How far apart should mondo grass be planted?

Mondo Grass Spacing Plant 4 to 12 inches apart in mass plantings or when planted as an edging. The closer you plant each plug, the faster it will fill in for complete coverage. You should also stagger between rows for the best coverage.

Is mondo grass Hardy?

Mondo Grass is a hardy plant and requires low care. They look amazing when planted en masse as a ground cover and to fill in gapes in and around pathways. They also look good when planted under trees, in front of borders as edging plants and grown in pots.

Why is my mondo grass turning yellow?

A bacterial disease that causes burnt-looking leaf tips, yellowing leaves and rotting roots, pythium root rot is a serious disease in miniature mondo grass that often develops in heavy soils with poor drainage. Biological pesticides control Pythium splendens, the bacteria that causes the disease.

When should I plant mondo grass?

Best in early spring, but can be planted in the summer through early fall so that the plugs can root in before winter sets in.

Is mondo grass low maintenance?

Mondo grass (Ophiopogon) is a robust, low-growing leafy plant that is an excellent substitute for turfgrass. The benefits of planting mondo grass are that it’s low-maintenance, grows in the shade, doesn’t take over gardens, and stays green all year long.

Will deer eat mondo grass?

Examples of ornamental grasses deer might eat include bamboo, bottlebrush grass, drooping sedge, dwarf mondo grass, ribbon grass, and sedge. … Other popular grasses, such as big bluestem, blue fescue, and feather reed grass are rarely eaten by deer.

How do you keep weeds out of mondo grass?

After planting liriope or mondo grass, apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch to the planting area to help prevent weed growth. Encouraging vegetative growth will help attain a solid cover more quickly. Both liriope and mondo grass will thrive with at least a yearly application of mulch and fertilizer.

What is the difference between mondo grass and liriope?

The leaves of mondo grass are more narrow than those of liriope. The berries of mondo grass are bright blue, while liriope berries are black. The flower stalks of liriope are usually quite showy, and stick out above the foliage. … Mondo grass plants are typically shorter than liriope, and may be darker green.

How much does mondo grass cost?

QuantityPrice Each1$59.972 – 3$56.914+$53.85

Why is my black mondo grass dying?

Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) that becomes discolored or grows poorly might be suffering from root rot. This dark green, grassy perennial grows best in moist, freely draining soil. Poor drainage and overwatering cause root rot, and slugs and snails can also attack mondo grass, causing wilting.

Is mondo grass toxic to cats?

I can’t tell you that mondograss is definitely NOT toxic to cats. … It is not unusual for cats to consume grasses and other such plants and then regurgitate to remove something from their stomach. Ask you vet about this and perhaps he could offer some other possible causes.

Why is my black mondo grass turning green?

Black Mondo Grass flourishes in full sun (or part shade) and needs to be watered routinely. Black Mondo Grass is considered a rare type due to its dark leaves. … You should expect the leaves to start out with a green color and turn to its dark shade once it’s more established.

What kills mondo grass?

If you want to get rid of monkey grass, the only way to control it is to use a product that contains glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-Up. Be careful spraying Round-Up in your lawn as it is a non-selective herbicide and will kill both the Liriope and your desired grass.

Does mondo grass have berries?

Pick the berries from the black mondo grass around the end of October or the beginning of November. Ripe berries are completely black or dark purple without any green coloration on the berries. If the skin of the berries is still a bit green, just leave them on the plants a little longer.

Is mondo grass related to liriope?

Variegated monkey grass is Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’. The shorter, dark green plant is mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicus. The two look very similar but liriope is usually distinctly larger. … Both are members of the lily family, not the grass family.

Can you grow mondo grass in pots?

Healthy mondo grass has a deep green hue and somewhat resembles turfgrass. It’s an excellent option for a decorative, contemporary container or to be used as a ground cover in a larger container. It is less common for people to grow ornamental grasses as containerized houseplants.

Does mondo grass grow in full sun?

Some varieties of Mondo grass can perform well in full sun conditions. However, in the hotter days and with constant exposure, the leaves can develop burnt tips. Apply Yates Droughtshield which will provide some assistance to the grass with dealing with the stress of the sun and the level of tip burn occurring.

Does black mondo grass like full sun?

Plant black mondo grass in rich, well-draining soil, and space 3″ apart for a quicker spread if using as a ground cover. … In hot areas plant in part sun, in Northern climates plant in full sun. Tip: too much shade fades its notable blackness.