Black mondo grass care is simple and straightforward. They need regular water to get established and weekly thereafter for optimum growth. 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.

How do you keep mondo grass green?

To keep the plant looking at its best, remove any of the older or damaged leaves. Best results are seen when the grass is planted in part shade or shade, with protection against the afternoon sun. Some varieties of Mondo grass can perform well in full sun conditions.

Is black mondo grass evergreen?

Common Name: Black Mondo Grass Looking much like a black Liriope, Black Mondo Grass is a compact, densely growing, clump forming, evergreen, grass-like plant. When grown in full sun in the north, the foliage emerges purplish-green and then turns nearly jet black. It has a softly arching habit.

Do you cut back black mondo grass?

Prune the black mondo grass to 4 to 6 inches from the garden surface using lopping or pruning shears. Blades should be sharpened to make clean, even cuts. Avoid cutting any new growth since this will create a jagged appearance to the plant leaves.

Why is my mondo grass dying?

Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) that becomes discolored or grows poorly might be suffering from root rot. This dark green, grassy perennial grows best in moist, freely draining soil. Poor drainage and overwatering cause root rot, and slugs and snails can also attack mondo grass, causing wilting.

What goes well with black mondo grass?

Companions: Plant with ferns, impatiens, liriope, and begonia; black mondo grass is especially showy next to light colored foliage like Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’, blue fescue, and lime or bronze heuchera.

Can black mondo grass take full sun?

Botanical NameOphiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’Sun ExposureFull sun to part shadeSoil TypeMoist, well-drainedSoil pH5.5 to 6.5

How often should you water mondo grass?

Water the dwarf mondo grass thoroughly when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil becomes dry, usually every 10 to 14 days. Never allow the soil to become soggy, instead water to keep it evenly moist. Stop applying water during the winter when new growth has slowed or stopped.

Why is my mondo grass going yellow?

A bacterial disease that causes burnt-looking leaf tips, yellowing leaves and rotting roots, pythium root rot is a serious disease in miniature mondo grass that often develops in heavy soils with poor drainage. Biological pesticides control Pythium splendens, the bacteria that causes the disease.

Can I trim mondo grass?

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.

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Is black mondo grass invasive?

That would be so-called ‘black Mondo grass’, which despite its common name, is a different species of plant within the Ophiopogon genus. … Ah, but some other members of the Ophiopogon genus, like Aztec grass, are aggressive and highly invasive. Be careful you don’t get one of them mislabeled as Mondo.

Does mondo grass grow back?

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.

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.

Does black mondo grass need sun or shade?

Outstanding fine textured color in containers. Water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil – weekly, or more often. Thrives in humus-rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils. Takes cool sun; needs bright shade in hot climates.

Will black grass grow in shade?

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.

How can I make mondo grass grow faster?

Fine Tuning Your Garden While mondo grass doesn’t typically need fertilizing, applying a small amount of a multipurpose fertilizer, such as a 15-15-15 blend, using about 1 pound for each 100 square feet of garden space, helps the plant spread more quickly.

What causes root rot in mondo grass?

Disease control The most serious disease of mondo grass is root rot caused by Pythium splendens, which affects dwarf mondo more than the long-leaf varieties. Symptoms begin as tip burn followed by gradual yellowing and browning. Eventually the crown will easily separate from the base when gently pulled.

Can you grow black mondo grass in pots?

Intro: Mondo grass and dwarf mondo grass are grown as ground covers, and if you want to cover some bare space in a plant container (such as underneath a tree), mondo grass is a great container plant choice. This “grass” never needs to be mowed, and it grows in little round mounds.

Will black mondo grass grow inside?

Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) is an excellent place to start with growing indoor ornamental grasses. It’s a low-growing grass that stays less than 5 inches tall. It is tough and drought-tolerant. … It is less common for people to grow ornamental grasses as containerized houseplants.

Why is black mondo grass black?

Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ This is the deepest and the darkest variety, the one which gave mondo grass its “black” name. Reported to have a sweet fragrance, it blooms with lavender to purple bell-shaped flowers. In time, these flowers produce an inedible berry which holds its seeds.

Is mondo grass invasive?

Is Mondo Grass Invasive? Mondo grass is described as invasive because it is hard to control its spread or get rid of it. In many southern states, Mondo grass is considered invasive and grows through turf lawns and gardens.

Can you walk on mondo grass?

Dwarf mondo grass can tolerate being walked on every now and then, but regular foot traffic will destroy it. If you’ll need to walk through an area planted with mondo grass, install stepping stones or another type of path. … Because it’s small and slow growing, dwarf mondo grass performs well as a houseplant.

How do you treat root rot in mondo grass?

Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for monkey grass crown rot. You should immediately remove any infected plants from the area and treat the area repeatedly with fungicide. Even with treatment, however, you may not be able to rid the area of the crown rot fungus and it may spread to other plants.

Can you seed mondo grass?

Dwarf Mondo Grass Seeds Harvest seeds yourself and plant immediately. … Plant your seeds in sterile potting soil and place the pots in a cold frame or other cool area. These seeds will germinate best in cooler temperatures. Keep the dwarf mondo grass seeds moist at all times.

Will mondo grass choke out weeds?

If you are patient, dwarf mondo grass is another great choice; it will give you deep green color all year and choke out most weeds once it is established.

Does mondo grass need fertilizer?

Used as a ground cover, mondo grass spreads through underground stolons and tuberous roots, or rhizomes, and typically its large clumps are divided and transplanted to create new plantings. Drought-resistant and low-maintenance, mondo grass requires minimal fertilizer to flourish.

Does mondo grass like acidic soil?

Soil Acidity Mondo grass grows best in slightly acidic soil. If your soil pH is lower than 5.5 or higher than 6.5, you should treat the soil to change the pH. To lower the pH of basic soils, work in bark chips from coniferous trees or use a soil treatment product that contains sulfur.

Does mondo grass need shade?

When it comes to light exposure, mondo grass is not too picky. The most common green varieties can take pretty much anything from full sun to full shade. … Full sun is essential for the deep black-leaved varieties. The more shade, the more green the black will become.

Does Mondo grow in shade?

Mondo Grass prefers a part shade to full sun position in the garden that has well drained soil. They should not be planted in full afternoon sun as the leaf tips will burn. They are frost tolerant and require little water once established.

Where is black mondo grass native to?

It is a small evergreen perennial growing to 20 cm (8 in) tall by 30 cm (12 in)wide. It grows from short rhizomes, and bears tufts of grasslike leaves, from which purple or white flowers emerge in racemes held on short stems above the leaves. It is native to Japan, where it grows on open and forested slopes.