
How to Kill Grass in Liriope
- 1. Put on gloves to protect your hands while working. ...
- 2. Pull the grass from around the lily turf by grasping it as close to the ground as possible to remove as much of the root as you can. ...
- 3. Rake the soil to loosen it and apply a granular pre-emergent herbicide to the soil around the lily turf. ...
How do you get rid of Liriope?
After spraying a grass-selective herbicide on the grass that grew into the liriope, kill the grass in a 6- to 12-inch-wide buffer strip between the liriope border and your lawn. Mulch this buffer zone to suppress the grass and weeds.
Will herbicide kill Liriope grass?
Although liriope (Liriope spp.), also called monkey grass, is considered a border grass, it’s botanically a member of the lily family. So if you use a grass-specific herbicide to kill true grasses in your garden, the liriope grass lookalikes are unaffected. The two primary liriope species have different growth habits and hardiness ranges.
What is Liriope grass?
Even though liriope looks like grass, it's an herbaceous flowering perennial plant in the asparagus family. It is often used as a ground cover to prevent erosion, serve as an edging plant, or help with weed control .
How do you get rid of lily turf roots?
Rake any leaves and clutter from around lily turf to make it easier to get to the grass. Pull the grass from around the lily turf by grasping it as close to the ground as possible to remove as much of the root as you can. Use a trowel to help remove the roots.

Will liriope choke out grass?
Types of Monkey Grass L. spicata, or creeping liriope, is best used in difficult areas such as on hillsides. It is an aggressive spreader and should only be used in areas that need full coverage, as it will choke out other plants.
How do you get nutsedge out of liriope?
If the weeds are mostly broadleaf weeds, such as dollarweed, or sedges, such as nutgrass, spray the liriope with Image Kills Nutsedge. This herbicide kills many broadleaf weeds and sedges, but is not as effective against the grasses. Whichever product you choose, follow label directions carefully.
What is the easiest way to remove monkey grass?
If you want to get rid of monkey grass, the only way to control it is to use a product that contains glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-Up. Be careful spraying Round-Up in your lawn as it is a non-selective herbicide and will kill both the Liriope and your desired grass.
Should liriope be trimmed?
Shearing in late winter removes old growth and makes way for new shoots. Annual removal of liriope foliage is not a necessity; however, cutting back is desirable if severe winter injury to the foliage has occurred. Running a lawn mower over the plants is a practical means of removal.
What do you spray on liriope?
The best product we have found is Fusilade II by Syngenta. Fusilade II can be applied over the top of liriope and takes care of a long list of grasses and grassy weeds, including both crabgrass and bermudagrass.
What is nutsedge look like?
IDENTIFYING NUTSEDGE IN YOUR LAWN The bright yellow-green leaves of yellow nutsedge stand out clearly against turf, as do the dark green leaves of its purple relative. Left to grow tall, nutsedges produce distinctive spiky flower clusters: yellow-brown for yellow nutsedge and purple-brown for purple nutsedge.
How do you keep weeds out of liriope?
How to Kill Weeds in LiriopeWear safety glasses and eye protection when working with herbicides. ... Remove the top from the garden sprayer. ... Measure 2 ounces of glyphosate herbicide in a measuring cup. ... Spray weeds early in the morning or when the wind is calm to reduce the potential for overspray onto the liriope.More items...
How do you manage liriope?
To keep the liriope looking nice and neat, mow or shear the foliage back to the ground during the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. After the flowers die, remove the flower stems and any withered foliage.
Is liriope hard to dig up?
Other types of liriope, particularly liriope spicata, are much more aggressive, making digging and tilling very difficult. If you have this variety planted you will be in for a shock when you start to dig it out.
What time of year do you cut back liriope?
Timing the Trim Cutting back cold-damaged foliage can wait until anytime between January and April, depending on when the threat of subzero temperatures subsides in your area. Add this chore to your yearly liriope maintenance schedule.
When should liriope be pruned?
How and when to prune liriope. Before new foliage starts to appear, generally in late winter or early spring, the old foliage can start to look tired. At this time you can either selectively prune out the oldest leaves, or trim the plant down so only around 5cm remains above the ground.
Should liriope be deadheaded?
1:164:39Best Ways (How to) Trim Liriope (Lilyturf) in early spring - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just cut back the foliage leaving about this time maybe a little more maybe about three or fourMoreAnd just cut back the foliage leaving about this time maybe a little more maybe about three or four inches or so out from the clump. And you'll see then that from the center of the crown.
How do you keep weeds out of liriope?
How to Kill Weeds in LiriopeWear safety glasses and eye protection when working with herbicides. ... Remove the top from the garden sprayer. ... Measure 2 ounces of glyphosate herbicide in a measuring cup. ... Spray weeds early in the morning or when the wind is calm to reduce the potential for overspray onto the liriope.More items...
How do you manage liriope?
To keep the liriope looking nice and neat, mow or shear the foliage back to the ground during the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. After the flowers die, remove the flower stems and any withered foliage.
How do you get rid of Big Blue liriope?
Digging the monkey grass will get the roots and will keep the spreading nature under control. Use a spade or shovel to dig down around the liriope. Till the area around the removed plants and over the ground with plastic or newspaper to help choke out further growth.
How do you get rid of creeping Lilyturf?
Spray the cut creeping lily turf immediately with a 3 percent solution of glyphosate herbicide. Use a garden sprayer to cover a wider area quickly. Hold up a piece of cardboard as a backdrop while spraying to avoid spraying the herbicide onto neighboring plants.
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How to kill liriope grass?
After spraying a grass-selective herbicide on the grass that grew into the liriope, kill the grass in a 6- to 12-inch-wide buffer strip between the liriope border and your lawn. Mulch this buffer zone to suppress the grass and weeds.
What is the difference between liriope and blue lilyturf?
Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10. Liriope spicata, commonly called creeping lily turf, is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 10. As its name implies, creeping lilyturf has a spreading habit that can become invasive. It multiplies by rhizomes that creep just under the soil surface, forming a dense underground network. Blue lilyturf is more restrained, with a clumping habit that makes it suitable as a border for sidewalks, flower beds or garden islands.
What herbicides kill grass?
The brand names vary, but the effective chemicals have names such as fluazifop-P-butyl and sethoxydim.
How to control spicata?
If you want to control Liriope spicata that has overgrown its boundaries, spraying a grass-selective herbicide on it won’t work. First, use a shovel or tiller to dig or till the plants up, and use a rake to remove as much as possible. When new growth inevitably appears, spray it with a non-selective, ready-to-use herbicide, such as one that has glyphosate as the primary chemical. After two weeks, spray again, and repeat as often as needed.
What is monkey grass?
Sometimes what looks like grass is another plant in disguise. Although liriope (Liriope spp.), also called monkey grass, is considered a border grass, it’s botanically a member of the lily family.
How much water to dilute grass selective herbicide?
Some grass-selective herbicides are premixed, but others need diluting in water, typically at the rate of approximately 3/4 ounce to 2 ounces of chemical per 1 gallon of water.
Is creeping lily turf invasive?
As its name implies, creeping lilyturf has a spreading habit that can become invasive. It multiplies by rhizomes that creep just under the soil surface, forming a dense underground network.
Why are my liriope leaves brown?
Browning leaf tips or margins usually affect indoor plants more than outdoor liriope. It is often caused by insufficient water or not enough moisture in the air. Water the plant adequately and mist the plant to increase humidity around the plant.
What is a creeping lilyturf?
L. spicata is commonly called "creeping lilyturf." Whenever you see "creeping" in a plant's name, it's often a red flag that the plant is an aggressive spreader. States where L. spicata is listed as invasive include Virginia, Georgia, and North Carolina. It's also naturalized in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi and can become problematic in those states. 2
How cold does a liriope plant get?
Liriope plants prefer moderately warm daytime temperatures, ranging between 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If liriope is planted in very cold climates, it will likely die back in winter (in warmer climates, it is evergreen). In cold climates, some winter protection may be necessary.
What causes red spots on a Liriope?
Liriope is susceptible to two diseases, anthracnose and leaf and crown rot. Both are fungal-type diseases. Anthracnose causes reddish-brown spots that appear along the leaf margins and leaf tips, caused by the Colletotrichum species. It's more prevalent when the plant is subject to frequent rainfall or overhead irrigation. 4 Stop the spread by mowing or trimming off last year's leaves to a height of about 3 inches, removing as much of the debris as possible.
Why are my liriopes not blooming?
If your liriope fails to bloom, it can be due to many reasons. Often too much shade and not enough sun will deter blooms. Temperature extremes such as brutally cold winters or sweltering summers can stress out plants and hamper flower development. Other potential reasons for a lack of blossoms are that the plant may not be getting enough water, the soil is not draining well, leaving behind soggy soil, the plant needs nutrients, or too much nitrogen. Adjusting conditions by amending the soil, changing your watering routine, or changing your fertilizer can tip the balance and give you blooms.
When should I plant liriope seeds?
The best time to plant seeds is about eight weeks before the last frost date. Here's how to start the process:
What causes a plant to turn yellow?
Leaf and crown rot: Caused by Phytophtora palmivora, a fungus-like pathogen, leaf and crown rot is characterized by the yellowing of interior foliage at the start, followed by the browning of basal leaf sections. Pull and dispose of plants showing leaf and crown rot to avoid spreading the disease.
Step 1
Rototill the ground where Liriope spicata is present. As an alternative, pull up as many of the plants by hand as you can.
Step 2
Rake the tilled ground with a heavy metal rake. Pull as much of the plant debris out of the ground as possible. Do nothing else until a new generation of Liriope spicata sprouts in the cultivated area.
Step 3
Spray the baby Liriope spicata plants with an herbicide containing the chemical glyphosate. If plants you value are nearby, first place pieces of cardboard around them. The screen prevents the chemical mist from landing on and killing them. Perform this step in spring, summer and fall.
Step 4
Repeat Steps 1 to 3 the following years until you have killed the entire Liriope spicata lot.
How to get rid of liriopes?
Use a spade or shovel to dig down around the liriope. Till the area around the removed plants and over the ground with plastic or newspaper to help choke out further growth. This takes patience, since you may need to repeat this process for several months if you want to get it all.
How to control monkey grass?
Both of these are a gentle clumping type of monkey grass. They can be controlled easily by digging and manually removing the unwanted plants and roots.
What is Monkey Grass?
Liriope, commonly known as “monkey grass” or “creeping lilyturf” is a grass like plant from Asia which is often used as a ground cover or border plant.
What happens if you let monkey grass grow unmanaged?
If you let monkey grass grow un-managed, you will have a job getting rid of it!
Is monkey grass a weed?
Depending on your point of view, you will either consider monkey grass a lovely ground cover or an unwanted weed. If the latter is more of your mindset, these tips for controlling monkey grass will help you get rid of your unwelcome garden visitor.
Can monkey grass be sent out underground?
The look will be the same, but the plant won’t be able to send out underground runners and you won’t have it invading nearby garden spaces. You’ll have a lovely border without the hassle of having to keep removing spreading monkey grass babies!
Can monkey grass take over a border?
Given the right conditions, monkey grass will grow aggressively and can take over a border in no time at all. I have monkey grass in several areas of my garden, but I have to keep an eye on it, or it will spread everywhere. The perennial plant spreads by means of runners which are easy to transplant to other areas of the garden.
How To Get Weeds Out Of Liriope?
You shouldn’t have to weed your liriope too much, as they are ground covering plants that will block light to any weeds growing .
What To Use To Fertilize Liriope?
Liriope is an easy going plant, that will do its thing without too much outside help or interference.
How Hardy Are Liriope?
Liriope are relatively hardy plants. They don’t mind drought or shade, and are pretty resilient to most types of weather, too.
What Soil Do You Need For Liriope?
These plants don’t have many soil requirements – in fact, they can grow just as well in sandy soil as the heavier, clay based types.
When Does Liriope Bloom?
Liriope has a really beautiful flower, similar in appearance to a grape hyacinth. They produce a lot of flowers, making a really attractive bed.
What To Do With Liriope In Spring?
Spring is the time when all plants wake from their winter slumber, and start to produce new life and healthy, green shoots.
What happens if a liriope bed is overtaken by weeds?
If your liriope bed is overtaken with weeds, they will be competing for the nutrients needed to make flowers bloom.
