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Glam Journal

When should you plant lily turf

Author

Elijah King

Updated on May 01, 2026

Liriope can survive through winter in temperate climates, meaning it is possible to plant any time between early spring and late summer. In warmer climates, it is also possible to plant in the fall, but planting in spring and summer will give your liriope the best chance of thriving.

When can I plant lily turf?

The best time to plant lily turf is in October. Planting in October allows the roots to get well established in the soil during the cool, wet season. If October slips by before the plants are in the ground, you can plant in November or early December if the weather is mild.

How do you plant Lilyturf?

Rake out the area to be planted and add a good topsoil layer of at least 3 inches (7.6 cm.). Liriope divides easily for more plants or you can get flats of plugs from many nurseries. Cut apart larger plants, making sure to include some roots on each section. Most of the species get 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm).

How long does it take lily turf to grow?

Sow Lily Turf seeds indoors in late fall or winter. Maintain a temperature within the growing medium of 65°-70° during germination, which takes 30 days.

Is Lilyturf easy to grow?

Potting and Repotting Lilyturf These are fairly slow-growing plants that will take three years or so to fill the pot, and they do fairly well when slightly rootbound. Repot them every three or four years.

Do liriope come back every year?

In warmer climates with mild winters, it grow as an evergreen. However, in climates with cooler winters, liriope dies off in the fall. In either case, cutting back the foliage in the fall helps to improve next year’s growth cycle.

Can you plant liriope in spring?

Liriope can survive through winter in temperate climates, meaning it is possible to plant any time between early spring and late summer. In warmer climates, it is also possible to plant in the fall, but planting in spring and summer will give your liriope the best chance of thriving.

Does liriope need sun or shade?

Grow all types of liriope in full sun to partial shade, and in moist, well-drained soil. Established plants can grow in high heat, excessive humidity and drought-prone areas.

How far apart should I plant liriope?

The only “must-have” is that it is a well-draining soil. Plant each liriope about 1 foot apart, keeping in mind that L. spicata will spread, as it’s a creeping plant. It’s not necessary to divide the plants, though you can every three to four years.

Should lily turf be cut back?

The best time to trim lilyturf’s damaged old foliage is anytime before its healthy new foliage emerges in spring. Otherwise, you’ll shave the top of the fresh growth as well as the old growth. Fall trimming of anthracnose-blemished plants — in warm-winter climates, at least — keeps them looking good until spring.

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Is Lilyturf annual or perennial?

Liriope muscari, commonly called lilyturf or blue lily turf, is a tufted, tuberous-rooted, grass-like perennial which typically grows 12-18″ tall and features clumps of strap-like, arching, glossy, dark green leaves (to 1″ wide).

How far apart do you plant lily turf?

For a grassy ground cover, space plants 18 inches apart on-center. For an accent plant, space at least 24 inches apart.

Is Lilyturf the same as Liriope?

Big blue lilyturf (Liriope muscari), also commonly known as liriope. Liriope, sometimes called lilyturf, is among our best evergreen ground covers. It multiplies rapidly and requires very little care.

What goes well with liriope?

  • Geranium, Perennial. Low growing and colorful, Cranesbill Geranium makes a good companion for Liriope.
  • Blue Fescue. Mixing Blue Fescue and Liriope together on a sunny hillside is an attractive option.
  • Lamium.

What grows well with lily turf?

Botanical Pronunciationlir-EYE-oh-pee mus-KAR-eeWater NeedsModerateWatering NeedsWater regularly – weekly, or more often in extreme heat or containers.Companion PlantsStar Jasmine (Trachelospermum); Bergenia (Bergenia); Daylily (Hemerocallis); Hosta (Hosta); Coneflower (Echinacea)

Is Liriope a houseplant?

Liriope spicata is a species of low, herbaceous flowering plants from East Asia. Common names in English include creeping lilyturf, lilyturf and monkey grass. … Lily turf also makes as interesting and unusual indoor houseplant. Producing white or mauve flowers in summer.

How much Liriope do I need?

If you plant at 8 inch spacing, you will need 2.25 plants per square foot. If you plant at 10 inch spacing, you will need 1.45 plants per square foot. If you plant at 12 inch spacing, you will need 1 plant per square foot. If you plant at 15 inch spacing, you will need .

How long does it take for Liriope to grow?

Liriope is rarely propagated from seed. Even new commercially propagated plants are produced by division. University of Kentucky research found that liriope seeds need to spend six to eight weeks in moist soil at 86 degrees Fahrenheit to break dormancy and germinate, making seed propagation impractical in most cases.

How do you get Liriope to flower?

Where traditional turf fails, liriopes can flourish. Foliage does well under shaded conditions, but blooms and fruit are diminished without sufficient sun. To get blooms from shade-planted liriopes, open up the shade to let in fuller sun, or move your liriopes to a sunny area.

Is Liriope cold hardy?

Liriope grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10. Although it can withstand some parts of USDA zone 5, it is not able to live through colder winters in northern parts of this zone.

How do you plant Liriope as ground cover?

Liriope spreads quickly. It can grown as a border plant or as a ground cover. Plant about 12-18″ apart in well tilled soil. Add organic matter to each hole.

What is the difference between monkey grass and liriope?

Monkey grass is a groundcover that looks very similar to turf grass. It is the common name for liriope (Liriope muscari), but it is also referred to as border grass. … Dwarf mondo grass has thinner leaves and a finer texture than liriope. As a group, both are referred to as lilyturf.

Is Liriope considered a grass?

Liriope is a genus of low, grass-like, flowering plants from East Asia and Southeast Asia. Some species are often used in landscaping in temperate latitudes. It may be called lilyturf in North America, although it is neither a true grass (family Poaceae) nor a lily (genus Lilium).

How do you keep Liriope from spreading?

Spray the cut creeping lily turf immediately with a 3 percent solution of glyphosate herbicide. Use a garden sprayer to cover a wider area quickly. Hold up a piece of cardboard as a backdrop while spraying to avoid spraying the herbicide onto neighboring plants.

How do you take care of liriope?

Liriope tolerates shady to sunny conditions, but flowers best in sun. First-summer Liriope requires regular watering, or it may wilt and droop. Once it has had a chance to establish, the plant will become quite tolerant of drought conditions. After several seasons, Liriope may become ragged-looking.

Do rabbits eat liriope?

A: Rabbits occasionally nibble young liriope, but once it’s had a year to grow and thicken, they usually let it alone. … You can try protecting it with a short fence or spraying a rabbit repellent on it the first season to give it a chance to grow.

Is monkey grass invasive?

Also known as creeping liriope, this grass has a mixed reputation with gardeners. It’s similar to liriope muscari except it aggressively spreads using underground rhizomes. … But creeping liriope also can be invasive, hard to control, and challenging to eradicate.

How do you keep monkey grass from spreading?

If you are cultivating monkey grass in a border and simply want to avoid its spread, dig down 12 to 18 inches and insert a barrier; the type of bamboo barrier made of heavy plastic sheeting works well. Cover the area with plastic or landscape fabric to suffocate any roots or rhizomes underground.

Why is my monkey grass dying?

Monkey grass crown rot, like any crown rot disease, is caused by a fungus that thrives in moist and warm conditions. Normally, this problem is found in warmer, more humid states, but it can occur in cooler areas as well.

What is the largest Liriope?

Liriope ‘Gigantea’ at San Marcos Growers. Liriope ‘Gigantea’ (Giant Lily Turf) – This is an evergreen perennial that forms clumps of dark green long grasslike leaves. The clump reaches 3 feet tall and wide.

Can Liriope be divided?

Ideally, the process of dividing liriope should be done in early spring before new growth has resumed. Due to the hardy nature of this plant, however, it is possible to successfully divide this plant later in the season. … Water the newly planted liriope weekly until the plants have become established.