Oblique Mat Rush Plant Care

Lomandra obliqua (Thunb.) J.F.Macbr.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Lomandra obliqua, known as fish bones and twisted mat-rush, is a small wiry ground-covering flowering plant found in eastern Australia. It is a widespread plant seen on the coast and tablelands.

🪴Houseplants🌼Perennials
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to part shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Oblique Mat Rush?

Plant Oblique Mat Rush in full sun to part shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Oblique Mat Rush Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Oblique Mat Rush?

Oblique Mat Rush (Lomandra obliqua) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Lomandra genus. Oblique Mat Rush is native to eastern Australia.

Oblique Mat Rush displays a grass-like clumping growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Oblique Mat Rush produces small yellow blooms on tall spikes.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Oblique Mat Rush?

Water a young or newly planted Oblique Mat Rush every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Oblique Mat Rush Need?

Oblique Mat Rush thrives in full sun to part shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to part shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Oblique Mat Rush Prefer?

Lomandra obliqua tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Oblique Mat Rush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Oblique Mat Rush?

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Oblique Mat Rush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Oblique Mat Rush?

Feed Oblique Mat Rush every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Oblique Mat Rush?

Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Oblique Mat Rush is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Oblique Mat Rush?

Oblique Mat Rush can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Oblique Mat Rush?

Prune Oblique Mat Rush while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Oblique Mat Rush in Winter?

Oblique Mat Rush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Oblique Mat Rush?

Oblique Mat Rush can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mat rush plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Oblique Mat Rush Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Oblique Mat Rush?

Oblique Mat Rush is susceptible to aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Oblique Mat Rush Need?

Oblique Mat Rush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Oblique Mat Rush is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Oblique Mat Rush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Oblique Mat Rush is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Lomandra genus — compare its care with other Lomandra species on PlantoScan.

Lomandra is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.

Oblique Mat Rush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Lomandra Species

Other Lomandra species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Lomandra obliqua (Thunb.) J.F.Macbr., family Asparagaceae (first published in Contr. Gray Herb. 56: 5 (1918)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Oblique Mat Rush is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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