Mondo Grass vs Liriope | How Do They Differ?

The most researched species during this gardening boom is now mondo grass against Liriope. The two most popular types of grass are known for their hardiness and ease of upkeep, and they are frequently used as ground covers and in garden borders. Mondo grass and Liriope are the best types of low-maintenance grass.

Speaking of low maintenance, if you live in warmer areas like southern states, Zoysia, centipede, crabgrass, and bermuda grass are the grasses with low-maintenance requirements. These grasses are good alternatives to mondo and liriope.

But how do Mondo grass and Liriope vary from each other? Even though the liriope and mondo grass are both members of the Ophiopogon genus, their nearly identical distinctive morphological characteristics make them difficult to distinguish. Let’s look at difference between mondo grass vs liriope grass in this article.

Comparison Between Mondo Grass vs Liriope

Features	Mondo	Liriope
Color	Green, Black Varigated	Green, Varigated
Size	6″-10″ HIgh, Dwarf Var. 1″-4″	10′-18″,
Plant Hardiness Zone	7-11	6 to 10
Flower, Berry	a variety of hues within the blades. blueberry	Blackberries are located atop colored blades.
Behavior	drooping, extremely thin blades	broad and upright blades compared to Mondo grass
Uses	slopes, ground cover, erosion control, and weed management	slopes, ground cover, erosion control, and weed management
Soil	accepts a variety of soils well-drained	accepts a variety of soils well-drained
Sun / Shade	part sun/shade	Sun/part sun/shade
Water	Give newly planted plants plenty of water. When the soil seems dry for one or two minutes, water.	Regular watering, but not daily, is advised for newly planted plants. tolerant of drought once developed
pH	slightly acidic, 6.1–6.5	6.0–7.0, slightly acid–neutral
Feed	Apply balanced fertilizer before planting. 16-4-8, early spring, early fall, and 10-10-10	Light feeder, 10-10-10 in the early spring.
Trimming	Before spring growth, shorten branches in cooler places.	Before spring growth, shorten branches in cooler places.
Pests and diseases	Avoid standing water, resists scaling, and leaf crown rot.	Avoid standing water, resists scaling, and leaf crown rot.

What is Liriope Grass?

One of the best evergreen ground covers is Liriope, which belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It also goes by the name of creeping lilyturf. Many people in eastern and southern Asia think the grass was given that name because it was formerly a Phoenician River God’s daughter. And this decorative grass, which has been proven effective in South Carolina, was immediately embraced by Europeans as a way to liven up their yards.

What is Mondo Grass?

Mondo grass is an attractive plant of the genus Ophiopogon; it is a gorgeous evergreen perennial sod that adorns your yard in the summer with lovely lavender or white blooms appearing amid the leaves. This lush groundcover plant is indigenous to China, Japan, and Korea, although it has recently gained popularity in western countries and among gardeners.

Mondo exhibits favorable characteristics, leading some to hypothesize that it is not even a true grass but rather a close relative of the lily.

Monkey Grass vs Liriope The Differences

Mondo vs Liriope Grass Ornament Value

Mondo grass is a bending, flowing, low groundcover typically has a dark green appearance. Its low maintenance requirements are especially valuable to homeowners. This implies that it is the perfect weed defense and covering for awkward and difficult-to-reach areas. Mondo grass is minimal care but requires more water than Liriope.

It will thrive in the shade trees provide, particularly in the spaces between their roots, rocks, or other obstacles. Mondo grass can be arranged in patterns, especially the dwarf form. Use it next to surrounding patios or stepping stones to give your hardscape a more natural appearance.

Liriope is a ground cover with thick, grass-like blades that is dense and evergreen. They may be very dark green or have different colors. Flowers and berries later appear on conical stalks above the foliage in the summer. Lavender, blue, pink, and white is all possible flower colors. The blue hues can stand out brilliantly against the lush, dark vegetation. There is a striking pearl-like quality to the white blossoms.

Mondo vs Liriope Grass Growing Needs

Like Liriope, mondo grass can grow in various soil types and lighting situations. It also needs good drainage, just like Liriope. Plant miniature mondo grass 2-4′′ apart and mondo grass 4–12′′ apart.

The liriope plant is quite tolerant and can grow in various soil types, from clay to sand. From sun-grown to shade-grown, it. The plant can withstand heat, drought, and salt spray as well. It resists illness. Remember that draining is Liriope’s only unwavering prerequisite.

Be aware that drainage is the only prerequisite for Liriope. It won’t put up with persistent moisture or drenched roots. If that’s a concern, add organic matter like compost or manure to the soil. Plant liriope one foot apart, being cautious not to plant it too deeply and making sure that the crown of the plant does not go below the soil’s surface.

Mondo vs Liriope Grass Size

Mondo grass comes in sizes that range from 2-3″ to roughly 12″ tall. The plant can go up to 15 inches broad.

From 10 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, Liriope will be. The size and color of different types can vary.

Mondo vs Liriope Grass Maintenance

Mondo grass is a low-maintenance plant, similar to Liriope. Trim your plant to 3′′ for a tidy, new start if it becomes ragged over the winter, for that purpose you can use trimmer or string blades rather than lawn mower. Then, during the drought season, get rid of weeds and water established plants. In the sun, mondo grass will be a lighter shade of green, while in the shadow, it will be a darker shade.

In the southernmost regions of its hardiness zones, Liriope is evergreen. The plant will die in winter in the zone’s cooler range. Therefore it should be protected with mulch. If the liriope plant starts to look ragged, you can trim it in the early spring. It can be trimmed to a height of as little as 3″ using either manual or electric shears or a sharp lawnmower blade.

Mondo vs Liriope Grass Fertilizers Needs

According to the weather, mondo grass is often thoroughly watered when the top 1-2 inches are dry. 10 to 14 days should pass during this. The soil should always be moist but not saturated.

Winter irrigation should be stopped when the plant goes dormant, depending on the climate. Winter is a dry season in South Florida, so we need irrigation during that time. Mondo grass should be fertilized three months apart throughout the growing season. Regarding fertilizer use, abide by local regulations.

Throughout the first year, Liriope has to be consistently moist. They can withstand drought after becoming established. The herb liriope is regarded as a light feeder. A time-release fertilizer will help the plants in the spring, though. During droughts, give all of your mature plants a weekly watering.

Pests and Diseases Affecting Mondo and Liriope Grass

Both the Mondo and the Liriope are susceptible to anthracnose, a fungal disease brought on by too much wetness, which manifests in the same way as reddish or brown spots on the leaves of the affected plants.

The Mondo and the Liriope will both be destroyed by slugs, but the Liriope is more attractive to spider mites, tiny red-sucking pests that harm the foliage. They can withstand attacks from rabbits and deer, which is good news.

I know you have your preference, but it’s still a toss-up between McDonald’s and Burger King, just like Mondo and Liriope. Both are low maintenance and provide the same bright impact.

Looking closely, you may see the difference between Mondo and Liriope, two cousins shown kissing. Physically, you’ll see that the Liriope is bigger than the Mondo, but to choose between the two effectively, you’ll need all the information you can gather.

Conclusion

The liriope and mondo grass are both eye-catching mainstays of the southern garden. They are both low-maintenance issue solvers. Both can be used as ground cover to prevent erosion, cover difficult-to-mow slopes, and encircle trees in locations where grass won’t grow. They can also create a chic edge for a planting bed because they are attractive, and some are taller than other ground covers.

Both feature tall, grass-like blades that are glossy, green, and variegated. In warm weather, both produce blooms, which are followed by berries. Both liriope and mondo grass resemble grass and can be planted in broad swathes and riverlike flows, yet they are perpetual evergreens.