Home » Finding Your Perfect Plants » Ophiopogon » O. japonicus

Mondo Grass (Monkey Grass, Lilyturf)

Example of approximately what these plants look like when shipped. See the eighth photograph of any plant to see a photo of what it looks like when shipped.

Mondo Grass, Monkey Grass and Lilyturf are all synonyms for Ophiopogon. A foot-tolerant, no-mow turf substitute - and it thrives in shade, too! We offer it in three sizes below.


See photographs comparing average sizes of some bare roots and potted plants
Product
Ophiopogon japonicus {3 1/2 in. Pots min 25}
25 - 249: $4.97 each  |  250 - 999: $4.67 each
(Mondo/Monkey Grass) Evergreen grasslike clumps or mounds with leathery pond-green 1/8" leaf blades dotted by tiny light lilac to white flowers in summer and bright blue berries in fall. Mature height 6-10".
In stock.
Ophiopogon japonicus {Bare Root Plants, min 50}
50 - 249: $1.87 each  |  250 - 999: $1.57 each
(Mondo/Monkey Grass) Evergreen grasslike clumps or mounds with leathery pond-green 1/8" leaf blades dotted by tiny light lilac to white flowers in summer and bright blue berries in fall. Mature height 6-10".
In stock.
Ophiopogon japonicus {2 1/4 in. Pots min 54}
54 - 107: $4.17 each  |  108 - 1025: $3.97 each
(Mondo/Monkey Grass) Evergreen grasslike clumps or mounds with leathery pond-green 1/8" leaf blades dotted by tiny light lilac to white flowers in summer and bright blue berries in fall. Mature height 6-10".
In stock.
Ophiopogon japonicus {flat of 18 Pots - 3 1/4 in }
1 flat of 18 3 1/2" pots: $85.86 ($4.77 per plant)
(Mondo/Monkey Grass) Evergreen grasslike clumps or mounds with leathery pond-green 1/8" leaf blades dotted by tiny light lilac to white flowers in summer and bright blue berries in fall. Mature height 6-10".
In stock.
Ophiopogon japonicus {flat of 32 Pots - 2 1/4 in }
1 flat of 32 2.5" pots: $127.04 ($3.97 per plant)
(Mondo/Monkey Grass) Evergreen grasslike clumps or mounds with leathery pond-green 1/8" leaf blades dotted by tiny light lilac to white flowers in summer and bright blue berries in fall. Mature height 6-10".
In stock.

Specifications


General information about Ophiopogon (Mondo Grass):
A reliable, hardy evergreen with thin blade-like foliage in a dark shade of green, Ophiopogon, often referred to as Lily Turf or Mondo Grass is an excellent ground cover for shady areas where other plants refuse to grow.

Gardeners love Mondo Grass for reliable texture, color and structure in rock gardens, between between pavers or stepping stones, in seashore plantings and as borders and edging for beds and walkways, around shaded pools and even garden statues because it requires no mowing and offers elegance, structure and definition to any area.

Where runoff is a problem, its dense mat of roots is exceptional at holding the ground up, preventing erosion. The depth of color contrasts beautifully with the lighter green of a lawn or the grey hues of garden ornaments and works wonderfully as an evergreen in planters where seasonal annuals provide pops of vibrant color.

If you love to play with shape and design, you will absolutely adore this lush, ornamental grass that creates a dense evergreen ground cover. The deep emerald green leaf blades (1/8 inch wide) form in clumps that need no mowing and will tolerate foot traffic making them a perfect lawn alternative that thrives in shade.

In the summer there are insignificant white flowers and in fall, bright blue berries will beckon birds. Spreads slowly to moderately fast by underground stolons. One of the all-time favorite effortless grasses, Ophiopogon caresses gardens with color and richness.

Things to Note
Our Mondo grasses produce fruit that will drive birds crazy with delight. If you are a birder, this plant is a must have for attracting a variety of species.

Gardener Tips
Consider planting clumps of Mondo in year round planters adding forced tulips in early spring, Begonias and Creeping Jenny in summer and autumn, and sprigs of evergreen bows and berries in winter for continual curb appeal.

Why all the confusion about the common names?
In 1763, the French botanist Michael Adanson described a plant (probably Liriope) that he called Mondo, which remains a common name today.

A few years later, Carl Peter Thunberg described a plant, which he named Convallaria japonica. This species is now known as Ophiopogon japonicus.

A decade later, Portugese botanist Joao de Loureiro described and named the plant we now know as Liriope muscari. Nearly 100 years later Joseph Decaisne described the same species as Ophiopogon muscari.

Over time there have been numerous discussions regarding these plants and the proper botanical names for them. Today, both Liriope and Ophiopogon are treated as distinct genera. In addition to sharing the name Mondo, the plants are also interchangably called Lilyturf and Monkey Grass.



Care
No unusual care instructions for this plant.



Shipping
No unusual shipping concerns for this plant.
FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.

Precise delivery - another benefit from shopping with us is that you know how many days delivery will take and can control exactly when your order will be shipped.

Shipping information that applies to all plants:
- Transit Time For Your Shipment (at most 3 days)
- When We Ship
- You May Specify Your Shipping Date
- Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
- Special Delivery Instructions
- No Shipments To: AK, AZ, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA or internationally
- Changing Your Shipping Date
- Accepting Delivery
- Unpacking Your Order
- Returns


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