How to Plant Mondo Grass

Co-authored by Grant Wallace

Last Updated: January 12, 2023 References

Mondo grass, commonly referred to as monkey grass in the Southern United States, is a Japanese plant in the lily family. It is a favorite among gardeners who are looking to fill bare patches in their yard or garden, and is easy to maintain once established. In the early days of spring, choose a plant location and transplant and maintain your mondo grass to transform your garden.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Planting Location

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Plant the grass in a shaded or partly sunny area. Mondo grass works great under trees and you can use it to fill in those bare, difficult-to-mow areas of your lawn or garden.^{[1]
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- In the early stages of planting, avoid areas that are completely sunny, as this will likely dry out the plant.
- If you're looking to show off the flowers in this plant, consider replanting every year, keeping the spikes short, and keeping it in a container or raised bed rather than planting it in those hard-to-reach areas.^{[2]
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- Do companion planting with mondo grass. Liriope is a similar looking plant and compliments planting with mondo grass.
2
Make sure the soil is well-drained. Mondo grass thrives in well-drained, moisture-retaining soil. It can take a few years for mondo grass to completely fill in, and you definitely don't want to slow down the process with poor soil.
- Test your soil by digging a hole that is at least 12 inches (30 cm) wide by 12 inches (30 cm) deep. Fill the hole with water and let it completely drain. Refill the hole with water, this time keeping an eye on the rate of drainage. Well-drained soil will drain at a rate of about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per hour.^{[3]
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- If the soil is not well-drained, use compost to improve your soil's drainage, or find another spot to plant the mondo grass.
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3
Prep the soil with compost. Even if your soil is well-drained, it is a good idea to prep the soil with about 3 inches (7.6 cm) of compost. You can purchase bags of compost or make your own.
- Compost consists of organic matter and is designed to feed the soil. Coffee grounds, egg shells, leaves, and fruit peels are easy and accessible ingredients to use to start your own compost pile.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Transplanting the Mondo Grass

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Purchase or gather the mondo grass. You can purchase mondo grass at a local gardening or home improvement store. Alternatively, you can use tufts from other mondo grass areas in your yard.
- Mondo grass is typically transplanted, rather than grown from a seed, so don't waste time looking for a small packet of seeds. You'll be purchasing a plant that is already grown.
- If you're transplanting grass from one area of your yard to another, be careful to keep the roots of the plant in tact when you remove it from the ground. Use a tool to scoop the tufts out rather than trying to rip them from the ground.
2
Dig several planting holes for the tufts of grass. These should be 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide and 6 inches (15 cm) deep, and spaced 4 inches (10 cm) to 12 inches (30 cm) apart. Planting the tufts closer together will result in thicker, more bountiful-looking growth. Consider what you want the area to look like as you prepare the holes.^{[5]
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- These holes will give the roots room to grow without burying the grass too far below the surface.
3
Separate the grass into handful-sized tufts with lots of roots. You'll want to make sure the tufts of grass have plenty of roots, as a well-established root system will be essential for your plant to thrive long-term.^{[6]
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- Remember that tufts should be no larger than 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide, or they won't fit properly in the planting holes.
4
Plant the grass in the prepared holes and tamp around the edges. Make sure the roots are thoroughly covered by gently pressing down on the soil around the tuft.^{[7]
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- If it feels like you're cramming the tufts into the holes, remove small bunches from the tufts until they can be comfortably placed in the holes.
- Tamping the soil around the tufts helps remove air pockets and will ensure proper water drainage.^{[8]
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5
Edge the planting area with mulch. Edging the area with mulch will help the soil retain moisture, prevent weeds, and keep the mondo grass from spreading outside the desired area. Be careful to not smother your mondo grass with mulch.
- Shredded bark is the most common type of mulch and a fine choice for your mondo grass. You can purchase it anywhere that sells gardening supplies.^{[9]
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- Ophiopogon planiscapus, more commonly known as black mondo grass, is also an option to edge the area. However, if you're planting your grass in a heavily shaded area, don't expect the dark leaf color in the black mondo grass. It will likely stay a shade of green.^{[10]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Mondo Grass

1
Water the grass daily for the first 3-6 months. Be sure to moisten the entire area. You'll need to keep a closer eye on your mondo grass in the first couple of years to ensure proper root systems are established.
- Before watering, feel around the base of the plant to see if the soil is dry. If it is, water it.
- Mondo grass is low maintenance. You'll only need to water it when you see signs of browning or wilting after the grass completely fills in.
2
Use compost to top-dress annually. Once your grass is planted, you'll want to make sure it retains nutrients. Apply about a ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) of compost to the soil every spring, especially in the first few years of growth.^{[11]
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- You can use compost to maintain the color and health of your mondo grass throughout the spring and summer.
- Be careful to not add too much compost. Add no more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) per spring/summer after the first year, especially if you're using manure-based compost. It is higher in phosphorus than plant-based compost, and can be harmful to your plant in excess.^{[12]
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3
Apply organic fertilizer lightly if desired. If you're using compost, you likely won't need to purchase additional fertilizer. But, if you're looking for an extra boost, you can pick some organic fertilizer up wherever gardening supplies are sold.^{[13]
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- Look for organic fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are what really help the grass thrive.^{[14]
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4
Don't cut the grass until it completely fills in. The great thing about mondo grass is it doesn't need to be mowed, but if you want to maintain a cleaner look in your garden area, be sure to wait until your mondo grass is completely filled in. This will likely take a few years, even with diligent fertilization and upkeep.
- When cutting mondo grass, make sure your mower blades are sharp enough and be careful to not scalp the growth. Make sure your mower is set high.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How far apart do you plant dwarf mondo grass?

Grant Wallace
Landscaper
Grant Wallace is a Landscaper and Owner of Grantlanta Lawn in Atlanta, Georgia. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in lawn maintenance and landscape installation. In 2012, he earned his BA from the University of West Georgia. Grant has been profiled in Shoutout Atlanta, Canvas Rebel, and Voyage ATL.

Grant Wallace

Landscaper

Expert Answer

About 6-12 in (15.24 - 30.48 cm) is a good amount—they'll just be bunched together, which the plants don't mind at all. Just make sure you have a contained area for it; otherwise, it could take over the growing space if you're not careful.