
How long does it take for mondo grass to grow?
You can grow mondo grass from seed, but it is time-intensive. Black mondo seed has a low germination rate. It’s also slow to germinate, and can take anywhere from 30-150 days. Since it’s a slow-growing plant, preparing enough starts for a ground cover takes a while!
What is black mondo grass?
Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens,’ or black mondo grass, is a clumping plant with thick tufts of arching black leaves. The strappy leaves are about 12 inches long (30.5 cm.) when mature.
How do you plant black mondo grass seed?
Plant black mondo grass in rich, well-draining soil, and space 3″ apart for a quicker spread if using as a ground cover. Sun is a conflicting issue. In hot areas plant in part sun, in Northern climates plant in full sun. Tip: too much shade fades its notable blackness.
Does black mondo spread?
While black mondo will spread, its spread is very slow. It’s much easier to divide off new plants in the spring. Remove a large clump of mondo from the soil, being careful to not harm its fibrous root system. Dust off excess soil.
What is a mondo grass?
How to grow black moondo grass?
Is black mondo grass a perennial?
Do black mondo grasses need fertilizer?
Is mondo grass deer resistant?
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How fast does mondo grass grow?
Growth Rates 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.
How high does black mondo grass grow?
about 8 inches tallGrowing to about 8 inches tall and up to 12 inches wide, Black Mondo Grass is a distinctive addition to any landscape!
How do you keep black mondo grass black?
Keep It Alive Plant black mondo grass in rich, well-draining soil, and space 3″ apart for a quicker spread if using as a ground cover. Sun is a conflicting issue. In hot areas plant in part sun, in Northern climates plant in full sun. Tip: too much shade fades its notable blackness.
Where does black mondo grass grow best?
The plant is hardy to USDA zones 5-10. There are a few types of mondo grass, but the black variety brings an interesting color note to the landscape that really sets off other plant hues. It is useful in full to partial shade sites.
Will black mondo grass spread?
It grows as neat, slowly spreading, 4" tufts of ¼" wide, sweetly fragrant, straplike leaves. New foliage emerges dark green in spring then changes to dark purplish-black by summer. Black Mondo grows to about 10" tall, and will slowly spread to about two feet.
Should black mondo grass be cut back?
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.
Why is black-grass a problem?
Black-grass, Alopecurus myosuroides, can seriously reduce crop yields through competition for nutrients, especially nitrogen. Although on an individual plant basis black-grass is only moderately competitive, very high populations can occur (many hundreds of plants/m2) which can reduce yield by >70% in serious cases.
Does black mondo grass revert to green?
This evergreen groundcover spreads slowly and has some daughter plants that revert to green. Plant in fertile, moist, slightly acidic well-drained soils in the part sun to part shade. It prefers a consistently moist environment. Use in borders, as edging, a groundcover or along stream and pond edges.
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.
Is black mondo grass year round?
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.
What goes with black mondo grass?
A classic pairing for black Mondo grass are plants with yellow or chartreuse leaves. Some good choices include the ornamental blue fescue grass (Festucs flauca) for sunny or partially shaded areas in USDA zones 1 through 10, which will grow slightly taller than the mondo grass.
Can black mondo grass be divided?
Mondo grass also has tuberous roots that allows it to store water and nutrients. This makes it easy to divide plants and establish new plantings.
Where should I plant black grass?
It prefers the slightly acidic, fertile, humus-rich soil typical of shady woodland areas. Choose a spot in full sun or partial shade. The black foliage varieties will darken more in a sunny location.
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.
Is mondo grass invasive?
Mondo grass isn't a slow-grower everywhere, though. In the warm, humid Southern U.S., it flourishes so well it can easily become invasive.
What goes with black mondo grass?
A classic pairing for black Mondo grass are plants with yellow or chartreuse leaves. Some good choices include the ornamental blue fescue grass (Festucs flauca) for sunny or partially shaded areas in USDA zones 1 through 10, which will grow slightly taller than the mondo grass.
Mondo Grass Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Monkey Grass” - GardenBeast
Mondo grass is ideal for your garden. This grass variety is robust, hardy, and handles all types of weather conditions. All the grass needs to survive is water, and it’s resilient to pests like deer.You don’t have to worry about planting mondo grass in a shady area, as the roots spread rapidly and do find in shady areas of the garden.
Why are my mondo leaves turning brown?
Root rot can cause yellowing and browning of mondo leaves. Source: happy via
What is the color of Aztec grass?
Silvery-white edges fade into a vivid, dark green leaf. The flowers for these are white, but also morph into a deep purple-colored inedible berry as they fade. These are sometimes confused with Ophiopogon intermedius, called Aztec grass. But Aztec grass grows to 12-24″ in height, where these stay closer to the ground.
What is the color of the ophiopogon planiscapus?
Some varieties of Ophiopogon planiscapus remain green with paler edge stripes. Source: Starr
Is ophiopogon a mondo grass?
Ophiopogon is a large genus. There’s quite a few related plants to mondo grass. While we’re focusing on Ophiopogon planiscapus today, don’t rule out its cousins! I’ll mention two which have similar growth habits and tendencies to mondo grass.
How big does mondo grass grow?
Imagine great grassy tussocks shrunk down to fairyland size, and you can envision mondo grass. These small plants grow only 6 to 10 inches tall (15-25 cm.) and have a clumping or mounding nature depending upon variety. Ophiopogon japonicus is the scientific name and refers to the plant’s native region of Asia.
What is mondo grass?
Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Printer Friendly Version. Image by vblinov. 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.
Is mondo grass a problem?
Any mondo grass information should list its pest and disease issues. Snails and slugs may be a problem, as can scale. Disease issues are fungal and form during wet, warm periods. Serious damage by any of these is unlikely.
Can mondo grass be divided?
These plants perform well in almost any soil and lighting condition. Mondo grass is a slow growing plant that can be easily propagated by division and requires minimal care once established. A truly attractive and outstanding landscape plant with a multitude of uses, it is well worth the gardener’s time to learn how to grow mondo grass.
Is it easy to grow mondo grass?
Growing mondo grass is easy, as the plant withstands neglect in regions where plentiful moisture is naturally available. Once established, you can pretty much forget about the plant unless you want to go check out its seasonal beauty, or it is time to divide it.
What is black mondo grass?
Black mondo grass is a theatrical choice for the front of borders, containers , edging, ground cover, woodland, and modern Asian/Zen gardens.
Can you use black mondo grass in containers?
Black mondo grass has evergreen, tufty charm. With its exotic, modern-looking, fine-bladed texture, you can use black mondo grass as you would low ornamental grasses in your garden and containers—for its textural appeal, ground cover abilities, and relaxed nature. Above: Black mondo grass, rootbound. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Is black mondo grass deer resistant?
Bonus: black mondo grass is deer-resistant.
Is mondo grass a perennial?
Despite the appearance of the word “grass” in its common name and the fact that its leaves look like blades of grass, mondo grass is a perennial ground cover in the Ruscaceae family (just like other chameleons such as Liriope and Carex ).
What is a mondo grass?
Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens,’ or black mondo grass, is a clumping plant with thick tufts of arching black leaves. The strappy leaves are about 12 inches long (30 cm.) when mature. Plants send out racemes to form little baby plants over time. In late spring to early summer, racemes of pink bell-like flowers appear. From these, bluish-black berries form.
How to grow black moondo grass?
How to Grow Black Mondo Grass. The best way to propagate this plant is through division . As the plant matures, usually in a couple of years, it will send out rhizomes that will form little baby plants. Divide these away from the parent in spring.
Is black mondo grass a perennial?
It is a low growing perennial plant with purplish-black, grass-like leaves. In proper sites, the little plants spread, forming a carpet of unique color and foliage. Before planting it’s good to learn just when to plant black mondo grass for better results.
Do black mondo grasses need fertilizer?
If planted in rich soil, they won’t need fertilizing but every couple of years in spring. Black mondo grass has few pest or disease issues. Smut may be a problem unless the plant’s leaves have time to dry before nighttime. Slugs occasionally are an issue.
Is mondo grass deer resistant?
From these, bluish-black berries form. 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. There are a few types of mondo grass, but the black variety brings an interesting color note to the landscape that really sets off other plant hues.

All About Black Mondo Grass
Care
- But how does one care for black mondo grass? How drought-tolerant is it, really, and what’s the best soil blend? Let’s talk about that!
Problems
- As long as it’s given the right conditions, your plants will thrive. But what if they’re not performing right? Let’s troubleshoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q. What is the difference between Lily Turf and black mondo grass? A. Part of the confusion is due to the common names. Black lilyturf is a common name for black mondo plant. Lilyturf also refers to the lighter shades of mondo. And it’s also the common name for some Liriope species. For this plant, it’s easiest to go by botanical name to be sure you’re getting what you want! Q. Wh…