Mondo Grass Care: Planting, Propagating, Removing, and Troubleshooting

Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana') is a shade-loving, evergreen groundcover that never needs mowing. Here's the full playbook.

Growing from Seed (Those Blue Berries)

1. Soak berries 24 hours, remove pulp.
2. Sow ½ inch deep in moist seed-starting mix.
3. Cover flat with plastic bag; keep warm.
4. Germination in 6 weeks. Move to bright light (or 4" under fluorescent).
5. Pot up by May; plant in ground by October.

Best for Shade + Foot Traffic

In deep shade where grass fails, dwarf mondo is the top pick. It tolerates light foot traffic. Amend clay soil with compost for faster spread.

Removing It Where You Don't Want It

Digging misses runners. Instead: paint glyphosate on leaves with a foam brush. Repeat until dead.

Mowing? No.

Mowing turns cut edges brown. It's a lily, not a grass. Fertilize in March (1 pint 10-10-10 per 100 sq ft) to speed spread.

Weed Control in Mondo Beds

Sethoxydim (Vantage) kills grasses in liriope—maybe mondo. Test a small spot first.