Mat Rush

Mat Rush (Lomandra densiflora) is a tough, fast growing native tussock that forms a low mound about 60cm high and 80cm wide, with fine grassy green foliage and creamy-white flowers in spring. It is the plant for the places where little else will grow: poor soil, clay, steep banks, nature strips and hard to reach corners. Once it is in the ground, it asks almost nothing of you.

Why you'll love it

• Close to zero maintenance. No regular pruning, feeding or fussing. A hard chop every couple of years refreshes the foliage if it ever looks tired.
• Quick to fill. It grows fast for a lomandra, so a planting closes up quickly and shades out most weeds underneath.
• Tough in drought and frost. Hardy and tolerant of both, once established.
• Grows in poor soil and clay. It tolerates most soil types and planting conditions, including clay and poor ground.
• Good for wildlife. The tussocks give shelter to small creatures, and butterflies feed on the plant, including a South Australian species.

Where it works best

Mass planting and weed suppression. Plant 60cm apart in staggered rows for a dense carpet that merges within a couple of seasons and keeps weeds down.

Banks, slopes and erosion control. The same 60cm grid holds soil on slopes and batters, and needs no maintenance once it has rooted in.

Nature strips, driveways and urban sites. Low enough not to block sightlines and tough enough for road and driveway edges. A single row at 60cm makes a soft, continuous edge.

Native and revegetation plantings. It makes a reliable filler between larger native shrubs and trees, with fine foliage that suits natural looking planting.

Growing Mat Rush in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It is hardy in temperate, Mediterranean and semi-arid climates and fine in subtropical gardens, and frost and drought are no trouble once it is established.

Soil. Almost any soil: clay, sand or poor ground. It tolerates most soil types and planting conditions, so there is no need to improve the site first.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer so the roots settle, then leave it to the rain. Feeding is not needed.

Pruning. None needed year to year. Every couple of years, chop the whole tussock back hard to refresh the foliage if it looks tired.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Mat Rush as tube stock only: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock is the standard choice for large plantings. It settles fast in warm soil, which keeps the cost of covering a bank or a verge low.

Our tube stock is grown for us and is not always on the shelf. A tube marked sold out means the grower has none at the moment, and the notify button on the page will email you the day it returns.

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

• Browse the full lomandra range
• Grasses and strappy leaf plants
• Plants for mass planting
• The lomandra care guide: the toughest strappy plant

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 60cm apart for a dense, weed-suppressing carpet. At the mature width of about 80cm, the tussocks overlap lightly and merge into one mass.

Can I cut it back hard?

Yes. Chop the whole plant back hard every couple of years if the foliage looks tired, and it regrows from the base.

Will it grow in clay or poor soil?

Yes. It tolerates most soil types, including clay and poor ground, which is why it is used for road edges, banks and revegetation.