Mondo grass is also known as monkey grass. It is an evergreen perennial that makes a great groundcover or standalone grass-like plant. These plants perform well in almost any soil and lighting condition.

Does mondo grass stay green year round?

Just like regular grass, it will remain green all year while adding a unique touch to your yard. Not only does this plant look great but are also incredibly easy to grow and maintain. Mondo Grass also grows slowly so you can tame it and reroute it where you want it.

Is mondo grass winter hardy?

Mondo grass (Ophiopogon genus) is often confused with Liriope (Liriope genus) because plants in the two groups are so similar in appearance and growth habits. … This plant does well in USDA zones 7 to 10 and is cold hardy down to -10 degrees. Even in near-freezing weather, its leaves stay green.

Will black mondo grass survive winter?

As the grass grows, it has a light green color that fades to black as the growing season progresses. This variety of mondo grass is resilient to the cold and will last through the winter without any issues.

How quickly 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.

Can you trim mondo grass?

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.

Will mondo grass choke out other plants?

It is an aggressive spreader and should only be used in areas that need full coverage, as it will choke out other plants. Of the Ophiopogon genus, the monkey grass most commonly used is O. japonicus, or mondo grass, with fine, dark colored leaves that thrive in shaded areas.

Does black mondo grass come back every year?

Forming tight, matted clumps in its bed, this grasslike perennial grows in zones 6-10. It provides year-round color in those zones. Called monkey grass in the southern US, this plant also produces flowers on a long, slender raceme in fall.

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.

Do you cut back black mondo grass?

Prune the black mondo grass to 4 to 6 inches from the garden surface using lopping or pruning shears. Blades should be sharpened to make clean, even cuts. Avoid cutting any new growth since this will create a jagged appearance to the plant leaves.

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Is mondo grass a good ground cover?

Mondo grass is also known as monkey grass. It is an evergreen perennial that makes a great groundcover or standalone grass-like plant. These plants perform well in almost any soil and lighting condition.

What plants go well 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.

Is mondo grass invasive?

Is Mondo Grass Invasive? Mondo grass is described as invasive because it is hard to control its spread or get rid of it. In many southern states, Mondo grass is considered invasive and grows through turf lawns and gardens.

Does mondo grass like full sun?

When it comes to light exposure, mondo grass is not too picky. The most common green varieties can take pretty much anything from full sun to full shade. Leaf coloring may vary slightly depending on the exposure, including light green to deep emerald. Full sun is essential for the deep black-leaved varieties.

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.

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.

Can you grow mondo grass in pots?

Intro: Mondo grass and dwarf mondo grass are grown as ground covers, and if you want to cover some bare space in a plant container (such as underneath a tree), mondo grass is a great container plant choice. This “grass” never needs to be mowed, and it grows in little round mounds.

Why is my 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.

Should mondo grass be cut back in the fall?

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. It may put undue stress on the plants leading into the colder winter months and may expose plants to increased frost and freeze injury.

How often should you water mondo grass?

Water the dwarf mondo grass thoroughly when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil becomes dry, usually every 10 to 14 days. Never allow the soil to become soggy, instead water to keep it evenly moist. Stop applying water during the winter when new growth has slowed or stopped.

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.

Is mondo grass the same as monkey grass?

Mondo grass is also called monkey grass. Mondo grass is an evergreen perennial and makes a good groundcover or standalone grass-like plant. Low-growing, dependable, and green, liriope and mondo fill in the cracks between seasons.

How far apart should mondo grass be?

Spacing. Dwarf varieties should be planted 2 to 4 inches apart. Regular varieties should be planted 4 to 12 inches apart.

Why is my mondo grass going 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.

How hardy is black mondo grass?

Mondo grass is evergreen, deer and rabbit resistant, and even salt and drought tolerant once established. The plant is hardy to USDA zones 5-10.

Does black mondo grass like sun or shade?

Outstanding fine textured color in containers. Water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil – weekly, or more often. Thrives in humus-rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils. Takes cool sun; needs bright shade in hot climates.

Can you plant black mondo grass in 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.

Is black mondo grass invasive?

That would be so-called ‘black Mondo grass’, which despite its common name, is a different species of plant within the Ophiopogon genus. … Ah, but some other members of the Ophiopogon genus, like Aztec grass, are aggressive and highly invasive. Be careful you don’t get one of them mislabeled as Mondo.

Are black mondo grass berries poisonous?

Control. Some gardening maintenance can prevent pet or human consumption of border grass berries, even through they are not considered poisonous. … Plant border grass in areas where children and pets will not come in contact with the berries to lower the risk of consumption.

Can you transplant mondo grass?

Mondo grass—which is technically not a grass but a member of the lilac family—is a warm weather grass that is easy to transplant and takes over a yard relatively quickly, crowding out all other grasses and weeds. … Water the area thoroughly every other day for 6 days to encourage the growth of weeds and other vegetation.