Liriope

( luh - RYE - oh - pee / LEER - ee - ohp )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of grassy-leaved perennials is commonly called Lily Turf, and is native to Asia. Flowers form on spikes and come in violet, blue or white. These plants compete well with the roots of others, and are therefore good choices for planting under trees. Freezing temperatures will yellow leaves, and too much sun will cause leaf tips to burn, so they appreciate a sheltered space in the garden. Liriope can be used to edge walkways, as erosion control in sloped areas of the garden, or as a dense groundcover.

Liriope Species and Varietals

Liriope is a genus in the plant family Asparagales, making it a relative of Ophiopogon (Mondo Grass), Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal), Aspidistra (Cast Iron Plant), and Sisyrinchium (Blue-Eyed Grass). The best growing zones for Liriope vary depending on the species. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Liriope gigantea (Giant Lily Turf, Giant Lilyturf, Border Grass, Giant Liriope, Giant Monkey Grass)
This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-10 and Sunset growing zones 4-10 and 14-24, and forms a grassy clump 3 feet tall and just as wide. Summer flower spikes are covered in lavender-blue blooms and are followed by metallic blue fruits. This species does well in full shade.

Liriope muscari (Big Blue Lily Turf, Lilyturf, Monkey Grass, Border Grass)
This species forms large clumps 1-1.5 feet tall and a bit wider, with a loose, arching habit and green leaves. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-10 or Sunset growing zones 2b-10, 14-24, H1 and H2, and produces dense flower clusters held above or below foliage. Round, shiny black fruits follow the blooms. This species needs partial shade in warmer climates of its zone range. This species is considered invasive in Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia in the United States. Cultivars are listed and described below:

'Big Blue'
Reaches 18 inches tall with stiff, arching leaves and dark violet flowers. Does well even in dry, shaded areas.

'Gold Band'
Leaves are broad and green, edged with bright gold; flowers are lavender.

'Lilac Beauty'
Dark green leaves and pale violet flowers.

'Majestic'
Reaches 1.5 feet tall and blooms heavily in dark violet.

'Monroe's White'
Leaves are broad, and flowers are white. Purple fruit. Prefers more shade than other varieties.

'Royal Purple'
1.5 feet tall, with very deep purple flowers.

'Silvery Sunproof'
Open, vertical grower with white-striped green leaves. Flowers are lilac.

'Variegata'
New leaves are green with yellow edges, and mature leaves are solid dark green. Flowers are violet.

Liriope spicata (Creeping Lily Turf, Creeping Liriope, Lilyturf, Monkey Grass)
This species of Lily Turf forms a dense groundcover that reaches 8-9 inches tall at maturity and spreads widely via underground stems. Leaves are deep green and grass-like, and flowers are pale lilac to white. Set 1 foot apart for quick coverage and mow every early springtime before new growth emerges. Great groundcover for shaded areas. Variety 'Silver Dragon' is slower growing and has green leaves with silver-white stripes. Creeping Lily Turf grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-10. This species is considered highly invasive in the southeastern, mid-Atlantic, and midwestern regions of the United States.

Caring for Liriope

Plant Liriope in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 4 and 6 hours of sun each day. Ensure that they are protected from intense late afternoon sun, as it will scorch foliage. Soil should be well-draining, rich in nutrients, and have a pH of between 5.5 and 7.8 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year with supplemental irrigations during extended periods of drought. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Scale back moisture significantly when these plants are dormant (winter) to prevent root and crown rot issues.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Flower spikes can be removed once they fade, but doing so will not cause more blooms to emerge. Liriope, or Lilyturf, plants can easily live for 15 to 20 years or more in the garden with proper care and will form clumps over time in ideal growing conditions. These clumps can be dug up and divided every few years, providing new flowers for the landscape indefinitely.

Caring for Liriope in Containers
Liriope plants are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Lily Turf plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. Divide plants when repotting to maintain good root health. For instructions on how to successfully divide a Liriope plant, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

The easiest way to propagate Liriope plants is through division of existing ones. To propagate your Turf Lilies, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Liriope by Division
To propagate by division, you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring or late fall (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before new growth emerges), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Problems and Pests

Certain Liriope species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Liriope plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: