PlantFiles: Dwarf Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana'

We recently purchased a property where the previous owner had tried to propagate turf grass, most likely to help make the property 'more marketable'. I'm currently pulling out what grasses have spread into a shady section (between a fern glade and a large Magnolia). I notice that as the Mondo Grass spreads, some 'clumps' will have a longer, finer blade of grass along with the 'regular' size Dwarf Mondo. Perhaps an occasional mowing will help keep the space at the desired length, all at about the height of the Dwarf Mondo Grass.

I have had good results with dwarf mondo grass in zone 8.It is slow growing but does spread with enough patience.It is easy to care for and does not need much watering or fertilizer.Makes a beautiful scape & I have had no weeds in between sprigs.

About 20 years ago, I planted a large, neglected bed of dwarf mondo grass in the backyard to fill in between the shrubs which it did very nicely even with nearly total neglect.

Last spring I was re-landscaping a large area in the front yard so in one section about 8 x 10 feet, I planted sprigs of the grass I took from the backyard into that area. I paid particular attention to it last year and kept it watered and fertilized, BUT some of the new sprigs are now growing much taller with much thicker/wider blades...much like regular old monkey grass which I do not need or want here with poisonous snakes sometimes spotted in our area.

Does anyone know why a formerly, very obedient plant would suddenly mutate into a monster that is making that area look messy? Is it too much water and fertilizer?

I did pull up one complete plant and the narrow bladed and wide bladed are all on the same root.

My only recourse is to dig up all the mutants and replace with sprigs of fresh dwarf mondo and lay off the water and fertilizer in the future.

Pros:
lush foliage stays dark green even in semi - dry areas
can withstand moderate traffic (walking on)

Cons:
will turn yellow or die in severe drought
spreads slowly

Planted by a landscaping company. Planted 3 years ago and still growing VERY slowly. Distance between plants approx. 10-12 inches. In shady area with irrigation system. Problem besides slow growth-weeds sproutting between plants and don't know if I can use some sort of weed control or if a fertilizer recommended.

I get a little winterburn on my dwarf mondo grass, but it's nothing that the new spring growth can't take care of. In my climate (Zone 5B), mulching goes a long way. Mine is planted in an eastern exposure as an edging up to my front entrance, and it does impress the uninitiated.

In So. California (no frost areas), dwarf mondo grass makes a wonderful lawn and which grows best with filtered shade. This allows you to plant all the trees you want in the middle of the lawn and both you and the mondo grass will be comfortable on on hot summer days (and no need to mow). If plenty of shade is provided, an established mondo grass lawn has about the same watering requirement as a standard lawn (maybe less). The only drawbacks are the initial expense and waiting for the clumps to fully knit together into a cushy smooth walking surface (takes about 2 years).

This plant is a good border plant with low evergreen foliage. Its foliage is dark glossy and dwarf. This plant likes moist soil in dry weather. The clumps of dwarf mondo grass may be divided in Spring. pokerboy.

Sometimes forgotten fact, Mondo grass also does will submerged and can be used as an aquariuam plant. I
hadless water hardness and PH flutuations fairly well.

Dwarf Mondo grass makes an excellent ground cover in shady areas where St. Augustine grass won't grow. I got a start from a friend 40 years ago, and have slowly propagated it to all my shady no traffic areas. When used as a bed edging, it grows into the more heavily fertilized and watered area. It does send some rhizomes into the lawn, but not many.
I am in zone 9a in central Florida.

I started with 9 tiny tufts, about 5 years ago - from a clearance sale, end of season. Very slow to get established, but then got to spreading better. Last winter's severe weather burned leaves, had to trim them back like liriope. Then I found a good number of 1/4" bright blue berries buried in the foiliage I was trimming! (I never saw a bloom, though some may have self seeded, adding to the rate of spread). Planted in seed starting mix, almost 1/2 have now germinated! Had to move the patch for construction and now have about 70 clumps each bigger than the first 9, plus my new seedlings!

Now, 12/30 - I have 40 babies growing like gangbusters under lights.

Can be used as a lawn in the south, at least. Prefers partial shade, though. It spreads via underground runners, and grows rather slowly.

This plant is native to Korea and Japan. It makes a great small scale ground cover. Height is 2-3" and is evergreen in my zone 6b. Spreads by stolons. It will take part sun but becomes dried-out looking. Also tolerates deep shade.