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Black Mondo Grass offers a dramatic splash of deep, glossy purple-black foliage unlike any other plant you've seen! Forming neat, arching clumps, it adds bold contrast and texture to bright or pastel plantings. During the summer, it produces delicate lavender-white blooms followed by small black berries; subtle yet striking against its dark leaves. Perfect for edging, groundcovers, or containers seeking a touch of flair.
Black Mondo Grass Care Guide & Presentation
Prefers bright indirect light or morning sun with afternoon shade. Too much sun in hot climates may fade or burn the foliage, while too little light can reduce the deep black coloration.
Keep soil evenly moist. Once mature, allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Avoid soggy conditions to prevent root rot.
Thrives in typical indoor or outdoor humidity levels. Avoid extremely dry air indoors by misting occasionally or using a humidity tray.
Tolerates frost and mild freezes. In cold regions, provide mulch for winter protection. In hot climates, partial shade helps prevent leaf scorch.
Evergreen in mild climates. May need protection in colder areas. Performs best in well-draining soil and partial shade. Suitable for outdoor planting in its hardiness zones year-round. In cooler climates, can be grown in containers and overwintered indoors.
Once annually (spring) for outdoor plants; every 2–3 weeks at half strength for container plants during growing season. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or organic compost in spring. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can reduce the intensity of foliage color.
Every 2–3 years or when rootbound. Use a slightly larger pot with well-draining soil. Repot in early spring before active growth resumes.
In early spring, trim away old or damaged leaves before new growth emerges. Lightly clean or prune throughout the year to maintain appearance.
Divide mature clumps in early spring. Separate sections with roots attached and replant at the same soil depth. Water thoroughly after replanting.
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Black Mondo Grass: Overview
The Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’) is a delightfully dramatic groundcover plant with feathery, purple-black foliage. This striking black ornamental grass grows in neat tufts, forming lilac-white flower clusters and producing black berries in the fall. Is Black Mondo Grass invasive? No, it’s a slow grower, which makes this plant incredibly suitable for outdoor landscaping, both as a border plant and as a potted plant for patios or porches. Black Mondo can also be grown indoors in the right conditions.
The Mondo Black Grass belongs to the Asparagaceae family and originates from the woodlands of Japan, China, and Korea. Because Black Mondo Grass is native to a mild climate zone, it grows best in hardiness zones 5–10 and requires overwintering indoors in colder climates. This black grass is easy-care, as it doesn’t require a lot of watering or pruning. The Black Mondo Grass stays compact, reaching 15 inches in height. The Black Mondo Grass is a pet-friendly choice for your garden, as its foliage is non-toxic for cats and dogs.
The Black Mondo Grass symbolizes resilience and unity. With its dramatic black color, it’s the perfect plant to add interest and allure to your garden.
Black Mondo Grass: Benefits
- Wonderful air-purifier
- Cold-tolerant and adaptable
- Easy to care for
- Perfect as a porch plant
- Ideal landscaping plant for edges and borders
Ophiopogon Planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’: Common Names
- Black Mondo
- Mondo Grass
- Monkey Grass
- Black Lily-Turf
- Snake’s Beard
Black Mondo Grass: Care Guide
Taking care of Black Mondo Grass is simple; this plant adapts easily to various soil types and growing conditions, thriving in moderately sunny corners.
Watering and Humidity
Keep the soil moist but never soggy. Let the top inches of the soil dry before watering. The Black Mongo Grass grows well in average humidity. Indoors, this plant may need regular misting to cope with dry indoor air.
Light and Temperature
Balance is the key to Black Mondo Grass light requirements; it thrives in medium to bright indirect light but can get scorched by excessive or direct sunlight. Whether the Black Mondo Grass will thrive in sun or partial shade depends on your climate; in cooler zones, it will grow well in sunny places, whereas in warmer climates, this grass will do better in areas with partial shade.
Thriving at temperatures from 45°F to 75°F, Ophiopogon Planiscapus Nigrescens can tolerate frost and temperatures as low as 30°F.
Soil, Feeding, and Repotting
The Mongo Grass prefers well-draining soil rich in humus or compost. But does Black Mondo Grass spread? This grass is a slowly spreading groundcover plant; however, it can be grown in a pot. Repot it once every 2-3 years into a slightly larger pot with drainage holes. Feeding this plant once in the spring is enough for outdoor-grown plants. Overfertilizing can make this grass’s color less intense.
Propagation
You can propagate Black Mondo Grass from seeds or via division. Propagation from seed is more difficult, however. Dividing mature clumps in the spring is the easiest way to grow more of these spectacular plants.
Pruning and Potential Problems
No matter whether you grow your Black Mondo Grass as a border plant or in a pot, this plant hardly requires any pruning at all. Simply remove any wilted or dead leaves in the spring before the new foliage starts growing.
Overwatering and subsequent root rot are the biggest hazards for Black Mondo Grass plants. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves of the Black Mondo Grass and prevent flower development. On the other hand, the Mondo Grass can lose its black color, turning green instead, if grown in insufficient light. Outdoors, this ornamental grass can be susceptible to snail and slug attacks, whereas indoors, too dry air can lead to spider mite infestations.
Black Mondo Grass: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
The gorgeous Black Mondo Grass adds interest to landscaping and potted plant displays, providing a stunning contrast with other plants’ green foliage.
Best Locations & Uses
- Alluring accent plant for borders or containers
- Unusual gift plant for plant lovers
- Perfect patio potted plant
- Great for homes with pets
- Easy-care garden plant for beginners
Black Mondo Grass: Companion Plants
Some amazing Black Mondo Grass companion plants from our porch plant collection include:
- Dark Green Spreader Yew (Taxus × media ‘Dark Green Spreader’): With its coral red, decorative berries and evergreen foliage, the Dark Green Spreader Yew is an attractive porch or garden plant that stays compact and grows well in the shade.
- Blue Star Juniper (Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’): A miniature icy blue evergreen that’s perfect for rock gardens and borders, the Blue Star Juniper is notable for its rounded shape and low-maintenance care requirements.
- Thuja Fire Chief (Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe'): The delightful, small Fire Chief Arborvitae changes colors throughout the year, going from bright green to vivid red, making it an ideal choice for porch gardens.
Shop for Black Mondo Grass for Sale From Lively Root
Add contrast and variety to your porch or garden borders with the magnetic Black Mondo Grass plant from Lively Root!
