Mondo Grass Plant Care

Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Ophiopogon genus. Mondo Grass is native to China, India, Japan, Nepal, and Vietnam. Mondo Grass is also known as Japanese Lilyturf, Ophiopogon.

Mondo Grass displays a low rosette, spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mondo Grass produces small, insignificant white or pale lilac flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mondo Grass 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.

Mondo Grass thrives in shade to part shade. Avoid placing Mondo Grass in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Ophiopogon japonicus tolerates temperatures of 55–75°F. Mondo Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Mondo Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mondo Grass every 6 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.

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

Choose a spot with shade to part shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mondo Grass is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 10b.

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.

Mondo Grass can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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.

Prune Mondo Grass 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.

Mondo Grass is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Mondo Grass can be propagated through division of clumps, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to black mondo grass plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Mondo Grass is susceptible to spider mites, aphids. 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.

Mondo Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Mondo Grass is native to China, India, Japan, Nepal, and Vietnam.