Mondo Grass plant profile
Ophiopogon japonicus
A perennial ornamental for partial sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Mondo Grass
Mondo grass (dwarf lilyturf) is a grass-like, mounding broadleaf-evergreen groundcover that spreads by runners to form a soft mat, with hidden pale lilac flowers in summer (NC State) and cobalt-blue berries in fall. Plant or divide in spring or fall in moist, well-drained soil in shade to full sun; as a turf alternative for shady areas it can be mowed once a year.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Mondo Grass in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Partial sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 6a to 10bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: scale.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Ophiopogon japonicus (Mondo Grass, Dwarf Lilyturf)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.