Get ready to meet the stunning beauty of Black Mondo Grass, scientifically known as Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens'! Black mondo grass is called "black" because of the dark, almost black color of its foliage, with "nigrescens" meaning "black" in Latin. The name Ophiopogon is a combination of two Greek words, pogon is a beard, and ophis is a snake. This extraordinary grass plant, also called black lily turf, but previously known as "Black Dragon," "Ebony Knight," or "Arabicus."
Let's talk about those colors! With its narrow, grass-like leaves that come in an amazing blackish-purple hue depending on the light and can grow up to 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide, this mondo grass is sure to turn heads. It's like having a bewitching piece of the night sky right in your garden!
It's no wonder this variety is hailed from Asia as having the darkest foliage among all perennials! As if that wasn't enough to captivate your senses, during the summertime, elegant white flowers resembling tiny bells make their grand entrance. These bell-shaped beauties boast a delightful pink to-lilac tinting that adds an extra touch of charm. The mature mondo grass produces globular, dark purple berries in the autumn.
Mondo grass is a low-maintenance plant that is relatively disease-resistant and can grow to be about 6-12 inches tall. This ornamental plant is often used as a ground cover or border plant, and its dark foliage provides a nice contrast to other plants in the garden. It is generally considered safe for both humans and pets.
Watering Needs
The mondo grass is a species that requires minimal watering. As a drought-tolerant plant, this black Ophiopogon has developed an effective mechanism for storing water in its leaves. Oftentimes, people worry about underwatering their plants when they're actually giving them too much water - succulents, in particular, don't thrive well in damp soil which can lead to root problems.
Remember, if this mondo grass is underwater, its leaves will start to turn brown and dry out. If it is overwatered, the roots can start to rot, and the leaves may turn yellow. So, it's important to only water them when the soil has dried out.
Light Requirements
The mondo grass needs a lot of bright sunshine - either full sun or partial shade. If you're starting with a new plant that you recently bought from a nursery, don't expose it to too much sunlight all at once. Gradually increases its exposure so that it doesn't get burned by the intense rays.
If mondo grass is grown in full sun for a long period, the leaves can turn brown and scorched. If it is grown in too much shade, the leaves can become greener and less dark. Ideally, it should be grown in partial shade to maintain its dark color.
Keep an eye on your black grass leaves - if they start looking burnt, consider investing in a sunshade or moving it somewhere shadier. And guess what? You can even grow these beauties indoors! Just make sure to position them near southern and western windows for optimal sunlight exposure. Don't leave them languishing in dim light though - move them outdoors from time to time when natural light is scarce (like during winter).
With proper care and attention paid to their light requirements, purple roses are sure to be statement pieces wherever they grow!
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The mondo grass favors very airy, sandy soil that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and, most likely, root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally, use our specialized potting mix that contains over 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your black mondo grass to thrive.
Natural fertilizers with an equal mixture of NPK (5-10-5) also last longer and keep your soil alive by adding other beneficial compounds and microbes that encourage plant health and nutrient absorption. Additionally, overfertilization can have a negative effect on mondo grass, causing them to grow too quickly and become weak and susceptible to disease. It can also lead to nutrient imbalances in the soil, which can further harm the plant and damage the surrounding ecosystem.
So, skip those harsh chemicals and give your black mondo some love with some awesome natural balanced fertilizer once in the spring!
Hardiness Zones & More
Mondo grass is a versatile perennial plant that is highly valued for its dark foliage. It is typically grown outdoors year-round in hardiness zones 5 - 10, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. However, it is important to note that black grass may require some extra protection in colder zones to ensure its survival during harsh winters. It can tolerate mild frost but if the frost is too severe, the leaves become damaged and turn brown.
Remember, it can also withstand a range of humidity levels, but it prefers moderate to high humidity. If the air is too dry, the leaves can become brown and crispy. To maintain the plant's health, it's important to keep the soil consistently moist and to mist the leaves with water regularly.
Be sure to add Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens - black mondo grass to your home or garden and enjoy its low maintenance care, while admiring its impressive display year after year.
| Bloom Season | Summer |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ophiopogon Nigrescens |
| Common Name | Mondo Grass, Black Mondo Grass, black lily turf |
| Flower Color | Light pink, white |
| Genus | Ophiopogon |
| Growth Habit | Clumping |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Hardiness Zone | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Mature Size | 8 in. tall, 12 in. wide |
| Native Area | Asia |
| Plant Type | Perennial grass |
| Propagation | By divisions |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant, mild frost tolerant, deer resistant, pest resistant |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | specialized potting mix |
| Special Features | Showy flowers |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans, friendly to cats, friendly to dogs |
| Watering Needs | Low |
- Description
- Features
Get ready to meet the stunning beauty of Black Mondo Grass, scientifically known as Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens'! Black mondo grass is called "black" because of the dark, almost black color of its foliage, with "nigrescens" meaning "black" in Latin. The name Ophiopogon is a combination of two Greek words, pogon is a beard, and ophis is a snake. This extraordinary grass plant, also called black lily turf, but previously known as "Black Dragon," "Ebony Knight," or "Arabicus."
Let's talk about those colors! With its narrow, grass-like leaves that come in an amazing blackish-purple hue depending on the light and can grow up to 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide, this mondo grass is sure to turn heads. It's like having a bewitching piece of the night sky right in your garden!
It's no wonder this variety is hailed from Asia as having the darkest foliage among all perennials! As if that wasn't enough to captivate your senses, during the summertime, elegant white flowers resembling tiny bells make their grand entrance. These bell-shaped beauties boast a delightful pink to-lilac tinting that adds an extra touch of charm. The mature mondo grass produces globular, dark purple berries in the autumn.
Mondo grass is a low-maintenance plant that is relatively disease-resistant and can grow to be about 6-12 inches tall. This ornamental plant is often used as a ground cover or border plant, and its dark foliage provides a nice contrast to other plants in the garden. It is generally considered safe for both humans and pets.
Watering Needs
The mondo grass is a species that requires minimal watering. As a drought-tolerant plant, this black Ophiopogon has developed an effective mechanism for storing water in its leaves. Oftentimes, people worry about underwatering their plants when they're actually giving them too much water - succulents, in particular, don't thrive well in damp soil which can lead to root problems.
Remember, if this mondo grass is underwater, its leaves will start to turn brown and dry out. If it is overwatered, the roots can start to rot, and the leaves may turn yellow. So, it's important to only water them when the soil has dried out.
Light Requirements
The mondo grass needs a lot of bright sunshine - either full sun or partial shade. If you're starting with a new plant that you recently bought from a nursery, don't expose it to too much sunlight all at once. Gradually increases its exposure so that it doesn't get burned by the intense rays.
If mondo grass is grown in full sun for a long period, the leaves can turn brown and scorched. If it is grown in too much shade, the leaves can become greener and less dark. Ideally, it should be grown in partial shade to maintain its dark color.
Keep an eye on your black grass leaves - if they start looking burnt, consider investing in a sunshade or moving it somewhere shadier. And guess what? You can even grow these beauties indoors! Just make sure to position them near southern and western windows for optimal sunlight exposure. Don't leave them languishing in dim light though - move them outdoors from time to time when natural light is scarce (like during winter).
With proper care and attention paid to their light requirements, purple roses are sure to be statement pieces wherever they grow!
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The mondo grass favors very airy, sandy soil that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and, most likely, root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally, use our specialized potting mix that contains over 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your black mondo grass to thrive.
Natural fertilizers with an equal mixture of NPK (5-10-5) also last longer and keep your soil alive by adding other beneficial compounds and microbes that encourage plant health and nutrient absorption. Additionally, overfertilization can have a negative effect on mondo grass, causing them to grow too quickly and become weak and susceptible to disease. It can also lead to nutrient imbalances in the soil, which can further harm the plant and damage the surrounding ecosystem.
So, skip those harsh chemicals and give your black mondo some love with some awesome natural balanced fertilizer once in the spring!
Hardiness Zones & More
Mondo grass is a versatile perennial plant that is highly valued for its dark foliage. It is typically grown outdoors year-round in hardiness zones 5 - 10, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. However, it is important to note that black grass may require some extra protection in colder zones to ensure its survival during harsh winters. It can tolerate mild frost but if the frost is too severe, the leaves become damaged and turn brown.
Remember, it can also withstand a range of humidity levels, but it prefers moderate to high humidity. If the air is too dry, the leaves can become brown and crispy. To maintain the plant's health, it's important to keep the soil consistently moist and to mist the leaves with water regularly.
Be sure to add Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens - black mondo grass to your home or garden and enjoy its low maintenance care, while admiring its impressive display year after year.
| Bloom Season | Summer |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ophiopogon Nigrescens |
| Common Name | Mondo Grass, Black Mondo Grass, black lily turf |
| Flower Color | Light pink, white |
| Genus | Ophiopogon |
| Growth Habit | Clumping |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Hardiness Zone | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Mature Size | 8 in. tall, 12 in. wide |
| Native Area | Asia |
| Plant Type | Perennial grass |
| Propagation | By divisions |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant, mild frost tolerant, deer resistant, pest resistant |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | specialized potting mix |
| Special Features | Showy flowers |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans, friendly to cats, friendly to dogs |
| Watering Needs | Low |