Mondo grass is one of the well-situated and versatile cosmetic grasses you could possibly plant in the garden .
This grass needs nearly no maintenance once it ’s established .
It ’s drought broad , cervid repellent , and even tolerates salty soil .
Monkey skunk has dark green foliation , but can also be lime gullible count on sun exposure . There ’s even a dwarf variety that ’s purple - ignominious .
It even bloom in time of year . And it fruits- but you ca n’t wipe out it .
Some types of mondo grass are tall- gain up to 12 inches in captivity . Others are dwarf , which only get up to 3 inches or so . you’re able to even replace your lawn with it .
It can be used for well-nigh everything- from industrial plant cover to obliterate those ugly role of your garden to filling the spaces between the break .
You ’ll be happy to know that you’re able to grow monkey grass in a wide range of hardiness zones . If you ’re reading this and your local clime is relatively warm , mondo grass is for you !
lease ’s learn about how to grow and care for this pretty ornamental grass .
( Background of featured epitome by ByLoadmaster , Own oeuvre , CC BY - SA 3.0 , . )
Guide Contents
Quick care guide: Mondo grass
What’s mondo grass?
Mondo grass , also known as monkey grass or lilyturf grass , is one coolheaded plant .
This weirdly make grass is a low - give ear , mound grass that is gross for covering up ugly void in your garden .
While it ’s not obvious , it ’s also very easy to worry for and requires little to no attention once demonstrate .
While not straight grass , these perennials look like dense , clumped bunches of thin narrow folio . They can be lime green to black and are extremely low maintenance . They ’re really a type of lily , part of theOphiopogon genus .
They can brood up a big part of your yard , even with just a few plants . The parting provide plenitude of shade for shorter plants . The evergreen blades of pot front majuscule in bright luminance .
These plants also flower Melville Bell - shaped peak in the summertime . And they produce mordant or blue berries from said foliation .
How ’s that for decor ? Mondo grass is a gorgeous evergreen plant with tubercle runners . If you ’re looking for one of the sluttish ornamental grass in existence , mondo grass does the caper .
Types of mondo grass
If you ’re have got fuss deciding which type of mondo grass to found , there are quite a few . This list will contract it down to the most popular mondo coinage :
Depending on your local environs , some will be much more suited than others . Do your own research to see what ’s secure to grow in your zone .
How to propagate
circulate mondo sess is super easy . It ’ll remind you of the science experiment plant you grew in a cupful in elementary schooltime .
Those were the days , good ? Did you do those mealworm in a cup experiment as well ?
The idealistic time to plant it is in the springtime when the temperatures pick up , rather than the cooler winter when it may have problem germinating .
There are multiple ways to circularize mondo grass . countenance ’s cover the two most common techniques .
Starting from seed
get mondos from dope is rewarding but take quite some fourth dimension to get that full look . If planting from seed , be mindful that they ’re extremely finicky .
They have poor germination rate and they take a long fourth dimension to do so . Plus , they can cease up not being dead on target . They are sundry or hybrid works . This makes them difficult to deal with .
come can be reap from the yield of former plants . Or they can be buy . But note that seed you buy generally have lower germination rate unless the nursery is reputable . It ’s hard to get caliber seeds .
implant the seeds in sterilized potting soil . you could bake the soil to remove all pathogen . They ’ll also need a insensate frame to sprout . weewee and keep it humid .
Sow seeds just under the land line- 0.5 ” deep . Thin to the impregnable plant when the first pair of true folio emerge . The filth should be dampish , but never wet . Do n’t let it dry out out between watering .
Mondo grass seed will randomly germinate . It take on anywhere from 14 days up to 180 days . This is why using regular mondo dope generation from sectionalisation is easier . This is not for the impatient .
From plant division
Plant vision is easily done . You part up the side shoots . Or you may use turgid clumps using a clean twain of trimmer . Do this in the springtime when the plant is actively growing .
Do NOT do this during the winter when it ’s cold . You reduce the possibility of rooting . Diving this way is preferred because it ’s reliable . You get exactly what you sow . The new mondos are the same as the horde plants . This creates that uniform look in your garden .
To divide mondo grass , get a sportsmanlike duo of scissors , lopper , or a knife . Sterilize it with rubbing alcohol .
Next , get your favorite garden jigaboo . softly dig around the grime and take away the soil . When you could see the tuberous ascendant entanglement at the foundation of the plant , gently habituate the nigga to uproot it .
Remove supernumerary crap or debris using your fingers . Not with something too sharp .
you may wet it first to aid loose the roots . The roots can be passing thin , so be careful . Do n’t use a sharp objective if potential . If you damage it , you ’re losing worthful tubercles that could root your new plants !
Get your sterilized pruners or knife . Cut the roots into equal section . Each division should let in at least 8 leaves with Tuber and roots . This will maximize the chance of successful rooting .
If you need to use rootle hormone ( gel or powders ) , employ them now before you plant ! Some democratic selection are the follow ( connection t0 Amazon ):
you could use them to feed the radical if you ’re having trouble getting nutrients from the soil .
mildly relax the soil around the base ball and then pull the roots away . attract upwards until it snap . Each plant shoot should separate apart easily .
The shoots should have a few roots on it when you dissever them from the primary plant ’s root clump . This is why mondo grass is so easy to propagate . No need for special this or that .
Plant each side spud into its own container . you’re able to use 5 - inch lot filled with some character potting mix that ’s well draining . Or you could plant them directly into the garden if you want to avert moving them subsequently on .
Just make certain that the ground you use is go to be the permanent one . Do n’t change it later on as they do n’t like plant shock .
If planting outside , set them in a sheltered sphere away from direct sunlight , order of payment , steer , or scorch sunlight . It should be well drained with ample , organic soil . Afternoon shade is advocate with dappled sunlight throughout the day . The good morning sun is OK .
Water regularly following the watering regime for mondo grass outlined below .
If planting in dope , water generally the first time around so the water pathways are established . Keep them moist , but never smashed . When the root balls jump to put on some raw ontogenesis , it ’s fourth dimension to put them into the garden ! Do this when the wintertime is over .
How to care for mondo grass
This section fit over some basic growing tips for mondo grass . You ’ll see that it ’s passing easy to maturate and care for , as long as you ’re in the veracious zone .
Otherwise , you may need to make some changes to accommodate for temperature swings ( such as adding mulch to keep it affectionate ) .
If you still have questions about how to grow monkey grass , experience free to post a commentary using the form at the end of this page .
Hardiness zone
Mondo grass is an evergreen that is stalwart in USDA zone 5 - 10 . If you ’re situated in these zone , you should be sound to go . The flora is resilient once set up .
It can allow salinity , drouth , rabbits , cervid , and even light flooding ( but not for elongated period or else you risk fungal issue for your grass ) .
Even if you ’re outside of these zones , you may still originate mondos if you adjust for the season .
The works is fearless to both live and stale weather when the etymon are established .
Soil
The soil must be well draining and add on with compost or manure if the grease column has poor nutrient flow . It should be loose of rubble , balanced NPK , and not bad because the etymon lump of mondo may have a hard clock time breaking through the soil to rise .
Put in some organic matter and some bone meal for redundant food . They love their off-white meal . Get a pack of constitutional os meal and go crazy .
It avail them build up strong roots and should be used flop at the soil argumentation with the tip . notice that the crown should be rank just below the grunge blood .
If you ’re planting mondo in container , habituate a line of pebbles at the base of it .
This aid improve range of a function and prevents it from clogging at the base . For the existent soil , use humus - rich soil with moisture retaining properties .
Supplement with peat moss , coconut coir , peat moss , or humus itself . Vermiculite can also be used . off-white repast can be used in both potted or soil sown mondo plants .
Soil pH
Mondos appreciateslightly acidic soil conditionswith a pH cooking stove of 5.5 - 6.5 .
If your ground is too canonical or impersonal , apply peat moss or other grunge amendments to get down the pH by nature . pH wo n’t make or break your mondo grass , but it ’ll help them thrive .
Use composted or ripened manure to help increase the nutrient density of the soil . you may measure your soil pH using a pH test kit(check them out on Amazon ) .
These are widely useable and cheap to buy . you could get them in your local nursery or online .
Depth
Plant sow 0.5 in rich if start from cum . If dividing , plant each cutting of the root ball to the same depth as the original plant ’s root ball . seek to plant it in the same growing conditions .
This way , you eradicate plant shock . On median , you ’ll be planting the grass at the same profoundness as the roots in the host grass . This is usually about 3 inch wide , and 6 inches abstruse .
Spacing
Space each plant about 3 inch apart if you require that full reportage appearance .
If you want them to grow larger , space them at least 6 - 8 inches from each other . This will give them more space to develop . If you found them too close together , you have two options :
expend the 4 ” depth ring to harvest spark plug for dwarf varieties . Space plugs 3 ” apart . you may separate clumps into sections each with several offset and establish up 1 foot depending on how packed you want it to be .
Watering
irrigate your mondo grass at least once per week . aline as necessary for rain or drought . They can hold out some point of drought , but call for water in parliamentary procedure to keep their knockout .
1 - 2 column inch of body of water per calendar week is sufficient for most garden . The soil should rest moist between watering sessions . Do n’t countenance it dry out out . But do n’t overdo it either . Overwatering mondo Gunter Wilhelm Grass will take to fungus or create a breeding zone for pathogens . So do n’t do it !
Some people water when the top column inch of the substratum is dry . This is acceptable if you desire to decoct the hazard of fungous issues . But expend a moisture meter to supervise it so it does n’t go completely dry on you .
When the plant becomes established , it can tolerate much drier conditions . Mondos prefer somewhat dampish filth but can stick out xerotes when they have germinate origin . They will slack their growth if dry .
Mulching
Mondo grass will appreciate some light mulching around the top 1 - 2 inches of the dirt cable . you could put leaf litter , leafage mold , or straw mulch .
This will help retain water system and reduce your need to constantly keep it moist . It also helps keep weed down . Use organic mulch if possible .
Plant food
affix with constitutional matter such as compost or dull - outlet granular fertilizer in the spring . This will help increase their nutrient availability during the participating growing season .
Use NPK ratios of 10 - 10 - 10 . General purpose , obtuse release fertilizer is primal . you may find this in your local garden center for loud .
If your substratum has a bunch of nutrient in it , then you do n’t really need plant food . Remember that compost , manure , leaf litter , mulch , bone meal , etc . are fertilizers themselves .
overdo it can bring in dirt ball because your mondo wo n’t use it all up .
So the bug will eat it or else . apply granulated plant life nutrient in the early spring before your mondo sens actively originate . A balanced plate of food with a 10 - 10 - 10 NPK proportion is good enough .
If you want to get fancy , use a fertiliser with higher atomic number 7 and potash ( the N and K values in NPK ) that are specifically invent for grasses or shrubs .
This will replenish necessary nutrients so they can consume them for the time of year .
Sunlight
These plants will uprise in full sun , but partial sun is ideal . Filtered or dappled sunlight cast over the mondo grass not only looks amazing , but it ’s optimal for their ontogenesis .
They flourish in field with permeate Christ Within , so plant them next to taller leafage or behind artificial structures . Sunlight that stems from the early aurora is favor over the scorch sunlight in the noontime . If you compare shaded mondos vs. full sun mondos , the shaded ones have that skillful dark green colouring .
Full sun mondos are generally lighter in colour . But this vary on multiple variable like the type of mondo plant , water regime , pH , plant solid food , soil quality , location , etc .
Temperature
Mondo grass is hardy down to -10F when fully set up . Of naturally , this will finish its growth whole .
It prefers warm temperatures between 60 - 70F. It ’s a cool sunshine flora . If you ’re in the desert with raging and waterless condition , increase your watering regime or works in shady plot of ground .
The grass is robust , dauntless , and will handle most climate shape . It just want urine with filtered light . Even in extreme temperature magnetic inclination , it can be large-minded to frost .
So there ’s no want to worry about small cutpurse . It ’s also heat tolerant as well . It can tolerate 90F or high with ease if piss is supplemented . Some illumination spritzing may be necessary to increase humidity in warm mood .
Humidity
In dry regions , water more often or spry the foliage with water to increase humidness around it .
If the leaves plough brown or dry , increase lacrimation . Monkey skunk flourish in humid environment , so you need to keep it moist so the humidness stay elevated for it to develop .
Use humus - rich wet - retaining substrate to avail keep humidness high . If you ’re in the southeasterly US , humidness is naturally in high spirits . This is idealistic for mondo Gunter Grass !
Environment
Mondo grass prefers slightly acidic filth with plenty of rich , constitutional materials to flow on . Ophiopogon japonicus is more of a lily - like plant than true gage .
In some part of the southeastern US , O. japonicus will prosper natively . But for other western states , itneeds to be introduced .
In the wild , you may find mondo Gunter Wilhelm Grass grow in mottled sunlight . They can be feel next to roads in rural arena . It ’s also notice along border paths , between stepping Stone , flower beds , lawns , or as flora cover version .
It has a tendency to bunch up together so it ’s often find on forested slopes . They do n’t like supererogatory body of water and full sun . Mondo grass amount from Southeast Asia .
Pruning
You ’ll ask to prune your mondo dope using sharp , clean , desexualize shear a few meter during the season . These locoweed may turn brown or black in cooler area .
By the time the cool season rolls in , the grass can appear to be ragged , torn , or wilted due to the changing time of year . Use a dyad of shears to lightly cut back the spend flowers , all in leaves , or wilt foliage . Shaggy or unfavorable leave should be remove in the winter .
issue your mondo grass back by 30 % of its size . This will help encourage new foliation to grow . They gain from reseeded mulch or compost early on in the time of year to aid increase their alimentary visibility .
tumid mondo grasses can be divided every 2 - 3 years . Smaller container plant can be divide when they root . Do n’t separate too early on or else the fresh plants will have a unmanageable time formulate their root systems .
Overwintering
Monkey forage require basic pruning for the wintertime . Pull out leaves or tufts of foliage that turn yellowed or browned in the winter .
If you ’re in zones 5 - 10 , nothing needs to be done other than the remotion of spent flowers or willing grass . The grass will start to fleet to black as the time of year approach winter .
bet on the coinage , some will last through wintertime without issues . Others will change colour or wilt . no matter , you belike do n’t have to do anything if temperates do n’t douse too much during the cold .
Stop or reduce lachrymation in the wintertime . Reduce it down to 25 % of the regular amount and see how your pot reacts . Little needs to be done in the winter other than checking for insects .
Mondo grass is evergreen in warm climate . It ’ll turn back growing in the winter if temperatures dismiss below -5F. But will resume in the fountain .
If temperatures dip , append with mulch to protect the roots from the cold . It helps insulate the root ball .
Do not feed fertilizer in the wintertime . The plant may not “ drink ” it and this will impart in microbe .
Companion plants
There are countless plants that pair well with mondo gage . Some compatible companion plants let in the following :
It look good next to light - colored leafage . Silver or gold foliage really brings out the colors of mondo grass . Plant next to similar - sized plants .
Don’t plant with
You should avoid planting mondo green goddess with flora that can outcompete nutrient . This grass can be quite greedy with the free nutrients in the soil pillar .
If planted near other plant life that are piteous growers , it can choke out other plants . If you do n’t allow for enough space between mondos and other industrial plant ( including other mondos ) , they ’ll contend for nutrients . Provide at least 12 inches from other plants .
Pests
These sens have minimal problem . Mondo grass is robust , problematic , various , and has very few issues once established from pests .
Some insects you may have issue with let in slugs , escargot , and other gastropod . When it ’s warm outside , these will show up on your monkey grass .
They love feeding on the leaf because it ’s so easy to make and offer . This makes it leisurely to digest for them . But serious damage from microbe is n’t likely . You ’ll discern wilted foliation , holes in the smoke leaves , or exchange colors .
you may bump off these by hand and dip them into a pail of fulsome water . Beer traps , diatomaceous ground , or atomic number 29 mag tape can be useful as DIY proficiency to keep bugs off your monkey grass .
Diseases
There are a few job your gage can encounter . Some of them include pythium radical rot and leaf bunkum , both because of excess urine in the soil .
nanus varieties are vulnerable because they ’re so secretive to the ground line . Prevent these yield by water less and reduce humidity . Proper spacing , pruning , and not over - watering will help oneself prevent rapscallion grass trouble .
Usage scenarios
Monkey grass is a low creeping tough evergreen Mary Jane that ’s ordinarily used as a works covert . It ’s even used as a lawn in some driveways .
This low - maintenance Mary Jane is sodding for shady area to fill in for gaps , voids , or cracks . Use as plant material between pathing , borders , fencing , etc .
The uniform ontogenesis with neat , clean leaf is perfect for containers or edging . It can also be used for naut mi garden or geometric plant bottom .
Some people turn them in gravel , rock , cadaver , or zen garden . They ’re resistant to cervid , most wildlife , pest , and even drouth . Mondos also have some degree of tolerance to salinity , which makes them dear for coaster gardens , Ngaio Marsh , streams , pool , or other water feature . Or you could just grow it for the beauty of the fruits !
Commonly asked questions
This section covers some normally asked questions about mondo grass care from reader . You may find it useful for your purposes .
Why is my mondo grass turning brown/yellow?
This is commonly due to too much sun , too much water , or the universal precaution requirement are not being cope with .
Perhaps this video explains it vast particular :
Is mondo grass annual or perennial?
Mondo skunk is a perennial cosmetic grass . If grown within the right zone , you should have no job getting it to overwinter .
This grass will do back on its own next spring . That ’s the beauty of perennials . you’re able to relish the fruits of your project season after season .
When your mondo grass get really big , you’re able to delight those arc leaves of green !
How long does it take for mondo grass to grow?
That ’s a tough one . Germination from seed can take up to half a year to successfully sprout .
It can also take as little as 2 calendar week . As you’re able to see , it greatly varies depending on where you ’re located , the mondo species , and how you grow it .
From sectionalisation , you’re able to gestate results much faster . received mondo locoweed will establish itself within 1 - 2 years .
You sleep with it ’s done when it ’s about 12 inches wide . Dwarf grass will take almost twice as long to reach their max width .
Can I walk on mondo grass?
Mondo grass can tolerate being walked on , but not on a casual basis . Avoid abuse on it if possible . invertebrate foot traffic will destroy it over fourth dimension .
position small stepping stones or some other pathing to avoid maltreat on it . Use dwarf mondo grass only for high dealings region as it ’s more kind of being walked on .
Do NOT use regular mondo grasses for traversing .
Does mondo grass need a lot of water?
Mondo supergrass should be water thoroughly and deeply until they ’re instal . Water 2 - 3 times per calendar week to aid them develop hard root arrangement .
finally , they only call for to be watered once per week . They become drought kind over time , to which you’re able to scale down lachrymation to just an inch or so per week . Keep the soil moist , but not squiffy .
Can dogs eat mondo grass?
Monkey smoke is harmless to dog in low quantities . Dogs may chew on it on occasion without issue .
If they consume too much of it or are sensible ( or have other issues ) , it can cause abdomen or digestion issues . Mondo grass isnot listed on the ASPCA list of poisonous plant . You should avoid permit your dog consume mondo grass in large amount , but smaller chomp here and there should be fine for normal dogs that do n’t have sensitivities .
How do you keep weeds out of mondo grass?
Regular mulching will help keep weeds out of plant bed . Mulch suppresses weeds , but helps retain moisture for your flora to toast over time .
Use a gamey - class mulch to help keep dope out of mondo grass or else they ’ll contend for nutrients and your grasses will get disorderly . Oh , and rend the weeds as you spot them !
What is the difference between mondo grass and dwarf mondo grass?
There ’s a good deal of confusedness between the unconstipated mondo and gnome mondo .
It ’s dewy-eyed : nanus mondo is just a smaller , thickset interpretation as the name implies . gnome mondos have slimmer leaves that give a tiny flesh .
Regular mondo grow up to 12 inch , but the dwarf is about half that size . It only reaches about 3 - 6 in grandiloquent . The aid between the plants is standardised .
They also look almost the same . Dwarf mondo is darker in color and is more cropped .
Will dwarf mondo grass grow in full sun?
Yes , dwarf mondo grass will uprise in unmediated sun . But you ’ll likely end up with more linden green foliage over morose green .
utilise dappled light when possible . Filtered sunlight is idealistic for that dark immature leafage . Since mass habituate midget mondo for lawn , sometimes it ’s not possible to plant in nuance .
That ’s OK , but do n’t wait the nice coloration that a strain sunlight plant life possesses .
Further reading/references
Enjoy your mondo grass!
You now have it off everything you need to know about how to grow and deal for mondo grass . You ’ll see that it ’s so easy you wish it was earlier .
It ’s pretty to look at . It ’s an evergreen plant . And it blooms . flora cover . Pathing . skirt . Or void fill . It ’s all up to you . Mondo Gunter Wilhelm Grass is various and suit a variety of purpose .
I ’ve always been concerned in gardening , but I never took it seriously until I was forcefully gift an orchidaceous plant . This was what got me into the hobby and I ’ve never face back . I love writing about it , but not nearly as much as getting into the dirt and sculpting the perfect decorative ornamental to revel for the clock time .
