• Mondo Grass potted plant on a wooden surface with a blurred garden background
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Ophiopogon Japonica

Ophiopogon Japonica

$10.00
$10.00
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Taxes included.
Pot Size/Grade

Ophiopogon Japonica, commonly called Mondo Grass, is a tidy, evergreen, clump-forming groundcover with fine, dark green, grass-like leaves. It’s a brilliant “set-and-forget” plant for edging paths, underplanting shrubs, filling gaps around pavers, and creating clean lines in modern landscaping.

In NZ gardens it’s valued because it stays low and neat, handles shade better than most strappy plants, and gives you year-round structure without needing constant trimming. In summer it can produce small, subtle pale flowers followed by blue-black berries, but most people grow Ophiopogon japonicus for that dense, polished foliage look.

Spacing

  • For a quick, “carpet” effect: plant 20–25 cm apart.
  • For a more budget-friendly fill: 30–40 cm apart (it will take longer to knit together).

  • Expected 5 Year Height M Width M

Is Ophiopogon Japonica suitable for my garden?

Ophiopogon Japonica is best suited in a position that gets

  • Partial shade
  • Shade

Ophiopogon Japonica is

  • Evergreen
  • Groundcover
  • Drought resistant
  • Wind Tolerant
  • Frost Tolerant
  • Coastal Friendly
  • Cold hardy

Ophiopogon Japonica will thrive in soil that is

  • Clay
  • Normal
  • Free draining
  • Nutrient rich
  • Stoney
  • Sandy

How to establish your Ophiopogon Japonica?

Position
Best in part shade to shade, but it will also grow in sun if the soil doesn’t dry out too hard.
Great for under trees, along the south side of the house, or shaded courtyards.

Soil
Likes well-drained soil with some organic matter.
If you’ve got heavy clay, improve with compost and plant slightly proud of the surrounding ground so it doesn’t sit wet in winter.

How to maintain your Ophiopogon Japonica once established?

Spring tidy: Pull out any old leaves and tidy the clump edges. If it’s looking scruffy, you can cut it back in late winter/early spring (before strong new growth) to freshen it up.

Weed control early on: The only real work is keeping weeds out while it’s filling in—after that it shades the ground well.

Feed (optional): A light sprinkle of general fertiliser or compost in spring helps it thicken up, especially in poorer soils or heavy shade.

Divide when crowded: Every 4–6 years, lift and split clumps if they get tight or you want more plants.
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