Dwarf Mondo Grass

Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana') is the neatest living carpet we sell, holding at roughly 10cm high and 20cm across and never needing a mow. It is not a true grass but a small clumping lily, which is why it stays dense and tidy instead of running through the garden. Planted 15cm apart it knits into a solid dark green mat under trees, between pavers and along a path edge.

Why you'll love it

• A lawn alternative you never mow. At about 10cm tall it stays even on its own, so shaded strips where turf thins out finally look finished.
• It stays where you put it. Clumping rather than running, so it will not invade beds or creep next door.
• Suits almost any Australian climate. Frost hardy, heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and drought tolerant once established.
• Happy in shade. It handles the dry shade under established trees, which defeats most groundcovers.
• Genuinely low maintenance. No mowing, no staking, no deadheading. A tidy up every few years is the whole job.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Plant 15cm apart for a solid carpet, which closes over in two growing seasons. Stretch to 20cm on a large area if you are happy to wait an extra season.

Borders and edging. A single row at 15cm centres gives a crisp green kerb along a path or driveway that holds its line without clipping.

Between pavers and in rockeries. It takes light foot traffic in stepper joints and softens the gaps between rocks without swallowing them.

Growing Dwarf Mondo Grass in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade is ideal and full shade is fine. It takes full sun in cool and warm temperate gardens with reliable moisture, but in the tropics, subtropics and hot inland areas afternoon sun bleaches the leaves yellow. It suits tropical through to cool temperate zones and is frost hardy in the south.

Soil. Any reasonable garden soil that drains. Fork compost through the top 100mm before planting, since a groundcover this low is hard to improve later.

Water and feed. Keep it damp for the first two months while roots take hold, then it becomes properly drought tolerant. A light dose of slow release fertiliser each spring keeps the colour deep.

Pruning. None required. Every three or four years, shear an established planting back by half in early spring to refresh it and divide overcrowded clumps.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes in two sizes: tubes, and 140mm pots in packs of ten. Tubes are the sensible choice for large areas because the price per plant is low and mondo establishes readily from small stock. The 140mm packs give bigger clumps that read as a finished planting much sooner.

Be honest with yourself about the timeline. This is a slow growing plant, and a tube planting takes two to three seasons to close into a true carpet, so weed diligently in the meantime. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Everything worth knowing about mondo grass
• Browse the full groundcover range
• Compare groundcovers for shaded areas
• See more grasses and strappy leaf plants

Common questions

How many plants do I need per square metre?

At 15cm spacing you need about 44 plants per square metre for a solid carpet. At 20cm spacing that drops to roughly 25 per square metre, which costs less but takes an extra season to close.

Can I walk on it?

It handles occasional foot traffic, which is why it works well between steppers. It is not a substitute for turf in a play area, and constant traffic will wear bare patches.

Will it grow in deep shade under a tree?

Yes, and it is one of the better options for dry shade. Growth is slower there, so plant at 15cm and water through the first two summers while it competes with tree roots.