Ophiopogon
( oh - fee - oh - POH - gon )
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At-A-Glance InformationSpecies in this genus are commonly called Mondo Grass or Lilyturf and require moderate to regular amounts of water to perform well in the landscape. Species have varying sun requirements, some thriving in full sun and others preferring the shelter of deep shade. They are native to warm-temperate and tropical regions in the East, Southeast, and Southern regions of South Africa. These plants are considered easy to care for, and produce flowers in summertime on short spikes held amongst foliage. Use these plants as shade-tolerant groundcover, as a neat border edging, or as filler between stepping stones.
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Ophiopogon Species and Varietals
The genus Ophiopogon is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae. Plants in this genus are closely related to those in Liriope (Lilyturf) and Convallaria (Lily of the Valley). Ophiopogon does well in USDA hardiness zones 5-11 or Sunset growing zones 5-9, 14-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Ophiopogon jaburan (Giant Lily Turf, White Lily-Turf, Jaburan Lily Turf, Snakebeard, Aztec Grass, Noshi Orchid, ノシラン, 熨斗蘭) This plant is sometimes sold under the name Liriope gigantea, and reaches 2-3 feet tall and a foot wide at maturity. Leaves are dark green and flowers are small and white. Blooms are followed by metallic blue fruits that are attractive in cut flower arrangements. Cultivars include 'Vittatus' (with cream-yellow striped foliage and white flowers to 1-2 feet tall), and 'Crystal Falls' (dark green foliage with a weeping effect). |
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Ophiopogon japonicus (Mondo Grass, Dwarf Lilyturf, Monkey Grass, Snake's Beard, Fountainplant, Dragon's Beard, 竜の髭, 麦冬) This species forms a 6-8 inch tall clump of foliage that spreads via underground stems. It is slow to establish as a groundcover, but produces light lilac flowers on short spikes. Leaves are dark green and fruits are blue. Can be mown or sheared. Varieties include 'Kyoto Dwarf' (half the size of the species), 'Nana' (also half the size of the species), and 'Kigimafukiduma' (also called 'Silver Mist', with leaves variegated with white). This species is considered invasive in Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Georgia in the United States. |
Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass, Black Lily-Turf, Snakebeard, Black Mondo Grass)
This species forms tufts of foliage to 8-12 inches tall. Leaves are strappy. Flowers are pale purple to white, followed by blue or black berries. Not a great groundcover, but good for adding accent color to borders, beds, and containers. Flowers are white or flushed purple.
This species forms tufts of foliage to 8-12 inches tall. Leaves are strappy. Flowers are pale purple to white, followed by blue or black berries. Not a great groundcover, but good for adding accent color to borders, beds, and containers. Flowers are white or flushed purple.
'Little Tabby'
With white-edged green leaves. To 6-12 in. tall and 8-24 in. wide. |
'Nigrescens' (Black Mondo)
Purple-black foliage and pale lilac flowers. Purple berries. 6-12 inches tall. |
'Kokuryu'
(Black Dragon Ebony Knight) Jet black foliage to 6-12 inches tall. |
Caring for Ophiopogon
Plant Ophiopogon, or Mondo Grasses, 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. For the deepest foliage in dark-colored cultivars, more sun is required. Soil should be well-draining, rich in nutrients, and have a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5 (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. Mondo Grass 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. For instructions on how to successfully divide Mondo Grasses, see the Propagation section below.
Caring for Ophiopogon in Containers
Mondo Grasses 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. Mondo Grass 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 an Ophiopogon, see the Propagation section below.
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. Mondo Grass 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. For instructions on how to successfully divide Mondo Grasses, see the Propagation section below.
Caring for Ophiopogon in Containers
Mondo Grasses 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. Mondo Grass 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 an Ophiopogon, see the Propagation section below.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate Ophiopogon plants is through division of existing ones. To propagate your Mondo Grasses, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Ophiopogon 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:
Propagating Ophiopogon 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 Ophiopogon species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Ophiopogon plants are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
- Slugs & Snails
- Root Rot
- Anthracnose (Leaf Spot)
- False Oleander Scale
- Aphids
Gallery
Mondo Grasses fill in the spaces between stepping stones in this modern landscape.
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Mondo Grasses are commonly used as groundcovers.
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Black Mondo Grass adds drama to containers and borders.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 462, Ophiopogon
