Mondo Grass

How to care for Mondo Grass

Light. Grows in full sun to full shade, and does best with some shade. It is a common groundcover for shady spots where lawn grass fails.

Water. It prefers soil that stays moist but drains well.

Soil and feeding. It grows in sandy, loamy or clay soil.

Size. Forms dark green, grass-like clumps about 6–12 in tall, up to about 1 ft. It spreads slowly by runners into a low mat.

Pruning. Little care is needed once established. Mow or cut it back once a year in late winter or early spring to refresh the foliage.

Problems to watch. It is mostly pest free. Slugs can chew the leaves; use Snail and Slug Bait following the label. Fern scale sometimes appears.

Good to know. Highly salt tolerant and takes some foot traffic. It is often confused with liriope, which has wider leaves and larger fruit.

Sources: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Ophiopogon japonicus · UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Border Grasses