True Lime™ Lomandra

True Lime Lomandra (Lomandra longifolia 'LM516') is the lime green lomandra for southern and western gardens, bred by Ozbreed to hold its colour where other lime forms fade to plain green. It grows to about 650mm high and 650mm wide, a mid sized tussock with the toughness of the longifolia species: frost, drought, sand and heavy clay are all fine. It is a plant for the non humid parts of the country, from southern New South Wales across to Western Australia and down to Tasmania.

Why you'll love it

• Lime that stays lime. Many lime leafed lomandras lose their colour on heavy soil or in a cold winter; this one keeps a bright lime green across different soils and climates.
• Longifolia toughness. It carries the deep roots and resilience of the common Long Leaf Lomandra, so it binds slopes and rides out drought.
• Frost and drought tolerant. It thrives in both, which covers the tablelands, the Mallee and the southern coast.
• Golden flowers for pollinators. Delicate golden male flower spikes appear in season and feed native bees without dominating the plant.
• Almost no upkeep. Once established it needs a hard prune every four or five years and little else.

Where it works best

Mass and mixed plantings. Plant 50cm apart in offset rows (three to five a square metre). A block of lime against dark mulch or green shrubs is the classic use.

Slopes and erosion control. On banks and batters the same 50cm grid holds soil while the foliage softens the slope.

Colour accents. One clump between grey or burgundy foliage lifts a dull corner; three in a row make a feature along a path.

Naturalistic native gardens. It sits comfortably in a low maintenance biodiversity planting with grevilleas, wattles and other native grasses.

Growing True Lime Lomandra in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with the brightest lime in sun. Ozbreed recommends it for southern New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, so it suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi arid gardens. Avoid the humid coast north of Sydney and Queensland, where humidity works against it.

Soil. Sandy soils through to heavy clay are all suitable. The one thing to avoid is waterlogging; on a wet site plant on a mound. Keep the crown at or above the soil and mulch line.

Water and feed. Water as required for the first 8 to 13 weeks, then let the weather take over. A regular NPK slow release fertiliser, organic or otherwise, in spring is optional.

Pruning. None needed year to year. Every four or five years prune hard in late winter and it rejuvenates with a flush of fresh lime foliage.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell True Lime Lomandra in 140mm pots in packs of 10, the right unit for a block of ten in a bed or a run along a bank. Lomandra travels well and establishes fast in warm soil; expect the clumps to double in size over the first season and reach their full 650mm in two to three years.

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
• See the full Ozbreed range
• More plants for retaining walls and slopes
• The complete Lomandra longifolia care guide

Common questions

Will the lime colour fade?

Not the way other lime lomandras do. It was selected for holding colour across soils and climates; the only thing that dulls it is deep shade.

How far apart for a mass planting?

50cm apart, three to five plants a square metre. Wider spacing reads as individual tussocks; closer closes faster but does not change the finished size.

Is it suitable for Queensland?

No. Ozbreed recommends it for non humid locations in the southern and western states; for a humid garden choose a different lomandra from our range.