
How to Control Liriope Spicata
- 1. Pull the old foliage back and check the center for new growth. ...
- 2. Spray the cut creeping lily turf immediately with a 3 percent solution of glyphosate herbicide. ...
- 3. Cut the lily turf back to 3 inches in midsummer. ...
- 4. Cut any new lily turf sprouts back to 3 inches in fall. ...
How do you get rid of Liriope?
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.
What do I need to plant A liriope?
The only "must-have" for a liriope plant is well-drained soil. Plant each liriope about one foot apart, keeping in mind that L. spicata will spread, as it's a creeping plant. It's not necessary to divide the plants, though you can do so every three to four years. In colder climates, winter protection with a layer...
Should I Divide my Liriope?
Dividing liriope is not necessary for the health or longevity of the plant but is often done to control the current plant's spread in an area or to add the plant to another part of the garden or landscape. Division is best attempted after the third growing season.
How do you care for Liriope muscari?
Liriope Care Whatever cultivars of L. spicata or L. muscari, you are growing, liriope is a low-maintenance plant. Both species are tough plants that can grow in sandy or clay soil, as well as in full sun or part shade. The only "must-have" for a liriope plant is well-drained soil.

Which is better, Liriope muscari or Liriope spicata?
A: Sounds like you have Liriope spicata, which is a more spreading type of liriope that sends out shoots a bit farther than Liriope muscari, the more clumping type that I like better. Both are tough, durable, grass-like perennials that get purple or white flower spikes in late summer.
Is Liriope a good groundcover?
Liriope (aka "lilyturf") makes an excellent groundcover, especially in dry-shade spots that few other plants will tolerate.
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.
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
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.
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:
How big should a pot be for a plant division?
The pot should be larger than the plant, with at least several inches to grow on each side and at the bottom.
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!
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.
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.
Is liriope spicata aggressive?
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 to do if you use a barrier?
If you use barriers that are too shallow, the plant will simple go under them and come back up on the other side. The barriers do not need to be plastic. Other ideas are trenches, landscaping fabric, plastic sheeting, or mulch.in channels dug near the plant.
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.
What are the two types of lilyturfs?
There are two major species grown in our area: big blue lilyturf ( Liriope muscari) and creeping lilyturf ( L. spicata ). These two evergreen lilyturf species have slightly different growth habits and degrees of hardiness, but both are favorite landscaping plants. Both plants form mounds of grass-like foliage.
What is the name of the blue lilyturf?
Big blue lilyturf ( Liriope muscari ), also commonly known as liriope.
What is a Liriope?
Liriope can be used as a groundcover under trees and shrubs and as a massed planting on slopes and banks. Liriope muscari and its cultivars can also be used as low edging plants along paved areas or in front of foundation plantings.
How big do liriopes grow?
Most liriopes grow to a height between 10 and 18 inches. Liriope muscari generally grows in a clump form and will spread to about 12 to 18 inches wide. Liriope spicata spreads rapidly by underground stems (rhizomes) and will cover a wide area.
Why is my Liriope root rot?
Liriope is also prone to root rot caused by Phytophthora, Fusarium oxysporum, or Rhizoctonia solani. As the root systems decays, the plants will discolor from the base upwards. Root rot may occur in sites that have poor drainage or are over-watered.
How to get rid of liriopes in winter?
Cut back the foliage in the late winter and clean up the clippings to significantly help in scale control. Thoroughly wet the infested liriope with a 2% horticultural oil spray (5 tablespoons per gallon of water) after pruning to aid in control.
When does a lilyturf bloom?
Ornamental Features. Lilyturf forms a dense evergreen groundcover with a grass-like appearance. It blooms in July to August with lavender, purple, pink or white flower spikes. Although the flowers are individually small, they are very showy, since each plant has many spikes of blooms.
What is creeping lily turf?
By Amelia Allonsy. Liriope spicata, commonly called creeping lily turf, works well to combat weeds and prevent erosion on slopes, but unlike clumping lily turf (Liriope muscari), it can spread quickly to unwanted areas of the yard. Also known as monkeygrass, this plant grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 ...
Why is my flower bed messy?
The flower bed will look messy if lily turf emerges around the new plants and the lily turf could soon take control. You'll have a difficult time fighting the lily turf because you don't want to spray new plants while trying to spray the lily turf. Writer Bio.
Can you kill creeping lilies in one season?
Depending on the severity of the creeping lily turf problem, you might be able to completely kill all the plants in one growing season. If new sprouts grow in spring of the following year, repeat the process until no new plants emerge. Wait to replant the area until you have the lily turf problem under control.
Where did Amelia Allonsy get her bachelors degree?
She received her Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle and on other websites.
