Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

Liriope muscari variegata

Liriope muscari variegata is a striking evergreen perennial prized by New Zealand gardeners for its lush foliage and adaptability. Known for its attractive, striped leaves—green with creamy-yellow margins—this low-maintenance plant provides year-round colour and texture to shaded garden beds, borders, and containers. Offering easy care and resilience, liriope muscari variegata is an outstanding option for adding visual interest, suppressing weeds, and providing a foliage feature under trees or along pathways.

Liriope 'variegata'

Liriope 'variegata', commonly known as Variegated Lilyturf, grows as a clump and produces strap-like leaves that are green with a prominent cream edge. Short stems rise amidst the foliage, carrying masses of purple flowers during summer and autumn. It typically grows to 30 cm tall and the same wide, growing best in full sun or partial shade. Liriope muscari 'variegata' is an excellent choice for cottage gardens, adding to a mixed planting, including in borders, or for planting around outdoor living areas.

Liriope muscari 'variegata' plants with colourful foliage and purple flowers.
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Grasses
  • Height:
    30 cm
  • Spread:
    30 cm
  • Flowering time:
    Summer, Autumn
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal, Hardy, Shade
  • Garden uses:
    Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
  • Garden styles:
    Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Liriope muscari growing as a mass planting in a woodand garden.
Most Popular Liriope muscari

Liriope muscari, commonly known as Lilyturf or Monkeygrass, is an herbaceous perennial with flower spikes that rise above the foliage during summer...

From$14.50
Liriope muscari 'Blue Skies' plant with blue flowers and green foliage in a garden.
Most Popular Liriope 'Blue Skies'

Liriope 'Blue Skies' is a blue-flowering Liriope that forms a tidy clump and features strap-like, dark green leaves. Flower spikes rise above the...

From$14.50
Liriope muscari 'Samantha' plants with dark green leaves and pink flowers.
Most Popular Liriope 'Samantha'

Liriope 'Samantha' is a pink-flowering Liriope that produces strap-like, dark green leaves. Short stems carrying masses of tiny, light pink flowers...

From$17.95
Liriope muscari 'Pee Dee Gold Ingot' plants with yellow foliage in a border garden.
Most Popular Liriope 'Pee Dee Gold Ingot'

Liriope 'Pee Dee Gold Ingot', commonly known as Purple Liriope or Lilyturf, grows as a clump and produces strap-like, golden-yellow leaves up to 20...

From$14.50
Liriope muscari 'Gold Banded' plants with colourful, variegated foliage and pink flowers.
Most Popular Liriope 'Gold Banded' (Variegated Liriope)

Liriope 'Gold Banded' produces green leaves edged with gold, and masses of lavender coloured flowers in summer. This herbaceous perennial grows as a...

From$14.50
Baumea articulata (Jointed Twig Rush) with upright, green foliage, growing in water.
Most Popular Baumea articulata

Baumea articulata, commonly known as the Jointed Twig Rush, is an attractive, NZ native grass grown for its aesthetics and ability to handle and...

From$19.25
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
Most Popular Carex comans Green

Carex comans Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$11.50
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Most Popular Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$19.95
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.
Most Popular Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.25
Lomandra 'Misty Green' plants with cascading green foliage growing a bank.
Most Popular Lomandra Misty Green

Lomandra Misty Green is an ornamental grass with delicate, dark green foliage and a tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 40 cm in height and width...

From$19.25
Liriope 'variegata'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Liriope or Grasses.

Search Liriope 'variegata'

Unique Features of Liriope muscari variegata

Liriope muscari variegata stands out with its finely arching foliage, forming neat clumps that brighten darker corners of your garden. In late summer and early autumn, this variety produces charming spikes of small, violet-lavender flowers, which are followed by glossy black berries—adding a seasonal accent. The variegation in its leaves makes liriope muscari variegata ideal for highlighting shaded spaces, providing contrast against plain green shrubs and other groundcovers.

Ideal Uses in New Zealand Gardens

Liriope muscari variegata thrives in a range of conditions, tolerating drought once established and requiring minimal maintenance. It works beautifully as a groundcover, edging plant, or filler for shaded borders and paths. Whether planted alone or grouped, its foliage remains tidy, making it popular for gardens in urban and rural settings alike. This variety is also highly sought after for planting beneath deciduous trees, where it copes well with the seasonal cycle of leaf fall and regrowth.

Growing and Care Tips

Plant liriope muscari variegata in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. It tolerates partial shade to full shade, though it will also withstand a little morning sun in cooler climates. Water regularly during establishment, but once settled it requires little irrigation. Pruning is rarely necessary—simply remove old, weathered leaves in early spring to stimulate new growth. For gardeners wanting similar tough and beautiful plants, the classic Liriope muscari and vivid Liriope 'Royal Purple' are excellent companions.

Companion Plant Suggestions

Create a vibrant, textural display by mixing liriope muscari variegata with other shade-tolerant grasses and perennials. Combine it with Liriope 'Monroe White' for contrasting blooms, or try the unique hues of Liriope 'Blue Skies' and Liriope 'Samantha'. For a coastal or wet garden, consider pairing with Juncus Blue Dart (Blue Rush) and Eleocharis sphacelata (Tall Spike Rush). Other suitable companions include Lomandra Evergreen Baby, Triglochin striata, and Lomandra White Sands, all valued for their foliage and versatility.

Why Choose Liriope muscari variegata?

Selecting liriope muscari variegata for your New Zealand garden means you’re getting an easy-care, adaptable groundcover that looks stunning all year. Its variegated foliage will lighten shady areas and integrate beautifully with other low-growing perennials. Whether you’re designing a low-maintenance landscape or seeking a decorative solution for hard-to-plant spots, liriope muscari variegata will be a reliable and attractive choice.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Think you know our range? Lomandra 'Tanika' and Lomandra Frosty Tops are just the beginning — check out Pentapterygium serpens, Acacia 'Fettuccini', and Cryptomeria japonica.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews