Liriope grass is an evergreen flowering perennial with multiple names and garden applications. It’s often referred to as monkey grass, lilyturf, or simply liriope. It’s not a true grass or even a true lily. Instead, liriope belongs to the asparagus family.
Liriope “monkey” grass is characterized by its dense, low-lying, grass-like foliage which is typically dark-green or variegated. The showy, spiky flowers can be purple, pink, or blue in color and typically bloom from August to September.
Once the flowers are spent, you’ll have clusters of blue-black berries—almost as lovely and vibrant as the flowers they replace. Mature plants are approximately 10-18 inches tall and have a spread of approximately 12-18 inches.
Growing liriope is an excellent way of creating an exquisite, evergreen ground cover. It looks stunning growing under tall trees and shrubs or planted en masse. You can also grow liriope in pots for use in garden beds or borders.
How to plant liriope grass? It’s quite simple. Allow separation of at least one foot between liriope and all neighboring plants. This will give it ample space to attain full size without getting crowded.
Liriope Grass Care
Light and Temperature Requirements – Liriope grass is as adaptable as it is tough. It can do well in full sun, partial and even full shade. It can also withstand high humidity and heat. If you’re looking for optimum floral output, we’d recommend you find your liriope a sunny site.
Soil Conditions – Liriope isn’t fussy about soil types. It can thrive in both clay and sand. It does best, however, in sandy soils with good drainage and a pH of 6-7.
Water Requirements – Mature liriope is drought-tolerant and will prosper with weekly watering. Newly planted grass needs more frequent irrigation and should be watered whenever the soil appears dry. Avoid watering late in the day. The presence of moisture in the grass at night can promote fungal growth.
Food Requirements – Annual fertilization can help your liriope attain maximum growth in the shortest span. You can use organic plant food or a standard 10-10-10 (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) fertilizer to feed liriope grass in early spring. Use ¼ cup of fertilizer per plant. When applying the fertilizer, make sure the granules don’t get trapped between the leaves as that can stress the plant, making it more susceptible to infections.
