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mondo grass size

If you’re searching for information about mondo grass size, you’re in the right place! Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) is a favourite groundcover choice for New Zealand gardeners due to its lush appearance and versatility. Knowing the mature size of mondo grass is essential whether you're planning borders, pathways, or minimalist gardens. On this page, we’ll delve into the different varieties of mondo grass, how their size varies, and tips for choosing the right type for your landscape. We’ll also provide links to popular selections such as [Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass)](/shop/product/grasses/ophiopogon-silver-mist), [Ophiopogon japonicus](/shop/product/grasses/ophiopogon-japonicus), and more.

Ophiopogon japonicus (Green Mondo Grass) growing as a groundcover in a woodland garden.

Ophiopogon japonicus

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Ophiopogon japonicus, commonly known as green Mondo Grass, is a striking ornamental grass. It grows as a clump and produces a dense tuft of grass-like, dark green leaves to about 25 cm tall and the same width. Ophiopogon japonicus performs best when mass planted and is commonly used in rock gardens, included in borders, planted as a ground cover, or maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 25 cm
Spread: 25 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.

Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically grows to 15 cm tall and the same width. Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is best showcased with a mass planting and is commonly added to rock gardens, used in borders, grown as a groundcover, planted around outdoor living areas, or maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 15 cm
Spread: 15 cm
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (Black Mondo) plants with lush, black foliage.

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, commonly known as Black Mondo Grass, is a clump-forming plant with fine, near black foliage. The foliage is...

From$8.78
Ophiopogon 'Black Dragon' (Black Mondo) grass plant.

Ophiopogon Black Dragon

Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Black Dragon' is a variety of black Mondo Grass that is grown for its fine, near black foliage. The foliage is complemented...

From$8.78
Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.

Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

From$9.38
Ophiopogon 'Kyoto' (Dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.

Ophiopogon Kyoto

Ophiopogon 'Kyoto' is a Dwarf Mondo Grass and grows as a small clump with fine, dark green foliage. Flower spikes appear in summer bearing tiny...

From$6.08
Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.

Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is...

From$6.08
cymbopogon-citratus-4

Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass)

Cymbopogon citratus (aka Andropogon citratus), commonly known as Lemongrass Grass or Citronella Grass, grows as a clump and produces flavoursome and...

From$20.18
Miscanthus Morning Light growing as a clump with variegated leaves.

Miscanthus 'Morning Light'

Miscanthus 'Morning Light' (Maiden Grass) is a refined ornamental grass valued for its fine narrow foliage edged with silvery white. This elegant...

From$18.83
isolepsis-cernua-1

Isolepis cernua (Fiber-Optic Grass)

Isolepsis cernua (aka Scirpus cernua), commonly known as Fiber Optic Grass, grows as a tidy clump to about 25 cm tall and the same wide with green...

From$16.13
Chrysopogon zizanioides grass plants growing alongside a stream.

Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver)

Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly known as Vetiver Grass or Khus Grass, grows as a clump with lush, dark green foliage and can reach 1.5 m tall and 1...

From$20.18
Zebra grass (Miscanthus 'Zebrinus') leaves with cream and green stripes.

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass) is a striking ornamental grass recognised for its bold horizontal yellow banding across arching green leaves...

From$21.53
helicotrichon-sempervirens-3

Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue Oatgrass)

Helictotrichon sempervirens, commonly known as Blue Oatgrass, is a lovely and popular ornamental grass featuring distinct, blue foliage. It grows as...

From$16.88
Poa cita grass plants on a plateau overlooing the sea.

Poa cita

Poa cita, commonly known as Silver Tussock, is a clump-forming NZ native grass with delicate, green foliage that wafts gracefully in the breeze. It...

From$14.51
Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

From$16.13
Hakonechloa albostriata plant with variegated foliage.

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata'

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata', commonly known as Japanese Forest Grass, is a stunning ornamental grass. It features variegated green foliage with...

From$22.88
festuca-banks-peninsula-blue-1

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

From$14.18
Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.

Lomandra 'Tanika'

Lomandra Tanika is a hardy, Australian Native grass that is commonly known as Mat Rush. This grass features fine, deep-green foliage and a graceful...

From$20.18
Lomandra Evergreen Baby growing as a ground cover with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra Evergreen Baby

Lomandra Evergreen Baby is a compact, evergreen ornamental grass known for its delicate, deep-green foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to...

From$17.48
Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.

Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

From$21.53
Anemanthele lessoniana grass with colourful, orange and green foliage growing in a pot.

Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass)

Anemanthele lessoniana, also known as Pheasant's Tail Grass or New Zealand Wind Grass, is a graceful, clump-forming ornamental grass native to New...

From$21.53
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.

Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$21.53
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.

Lomandra Echidna

The Lomandra Echidna grass is a tough and reliable plant with outstanding aesthetics. It features lush, mid-green foliage held upright with a gentle...

From$16.13
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.

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$17.48
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

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$26.33
Lomandra Little Pal plants with lush green foliage.

Lomandra Little Pal

Lomandra Little Pal is a compact ornamental grass grown for its fine, green-yellow foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to approximately 60 cm in...

From$16.13
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.

Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$13.43
juncus-blue-dart-

Juncus Blue Dart (Blue Rush)

Juncus Blue Dart is a popular ornamental grass that features rigid leaves that are a fantastic shade of blue. It typically grows to 30 cm tall and...

From$17.89
Lomandra 'Misty Green' plants with cascading green foliage growing a bank.

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$20.93
Lomandra 'Arctic Frost' plant in a pot with variegated foliage.

Lomandra Arctic Frost

Lomandra Arctic Frost is a hardy ornamental grass featuring variegated blue and cream foliage held upright with a gentle arch. Growing to...

From$17.48
Lomandra Frosty Tops with lush blue foliage in a garden.

Lomandra Frosty Tops

Lomandra Frosty Tops is a hardy, evergreen grass featuring elegant, blue-grey foliage and a soft, weeping form. Growing to around 50 cm tall and...

From$18.83
Lomandra Nyalla grass with blue-green foliage in a border planting.

Lomandra Nyalla

Lomandra Nyalla is a hardy ornamental grass featuring delicate, lush green foliage and a graceful, arching form. Reaching approximately 80 cm in...

From$20.18
Ophiopogon japonicus

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Anemanthele, Carex, Chrysopogon, Cymbopogon, Dactylis, Festuca, Hakonechloa, Helictotrichon, Isolepis, Juncus, Lomandra, Miscanthus, Ophiopogon Poa and Sisyrinchium, or related Categories - Grasses and Mondo Grass.

Search mondo grass size

Mondo Grass Size: Height and Spread

The "mondo grass size" typically depends on the specific variety you choose. Standard Ophiopogon japonicus, often simply referred to as mondo grass, reaches a mature height of around 20-25cm and spreads about 30-40cm per plant. This size makes it ideal for edging garden beds, softening hard landscaping, or filling in shaded patches beneath trees.

For gardeners seeking a more compact option, dwarf mondo grass varieties are a standout choice. Ophiopogon japonicus Nana, known as Dwarf Mondo Grass, only grows 7-10cm tall and forms tight, low mats, perfect for between stepping stones or even as a living groundcover in containers.

Variety Differences: Selecting the Right Size

Not all mondo grass is created equal. Some varieties can be taller or offer unique foliage colours, which affect both visual impact and spacing in your garden. For example, Ophiopogon Black Dragon features striking dark leaves and can reach approximately 20cm in height, adding contrast and drama to garden borders. Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass) is prized for its silvery streaked foliage, and its growth habit usually stays close to standard mondo grass size—making it useful in mixed plantings or as a showy feature.

If you’re interested in unusual colour but still want a manageable plant size, Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens is another excellent option, reaching similar heights as standard varieties but offering unique black foliage.

Using Mondo Grass Based on Size

Understanding mondo grass size is a practical step toward successful garden design. Standard varieties are best for large mass plantings, while dwarf types like Ophiopogon japonicus Nana suit intricate spaces or small lawns. Taller or coloured types such as Ophiopogon Black Dragon and Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass) excel as eye-catching border plants.

Spacing is also influenced by mondo grass size. For robust coverage, plant standard Ophiopogon japonicus 15-20cm apart, and dwarf varieties closer—about 10cm apart for quick fill-in. This ensures healthy growth and prevents gaps.

Find Your Ideal Mondo Grass

Choosing the right mondo grass size is key to creating the look you want. Explore our range including Ophiopogon japonicus, Ophiopogon Black Dragon, Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass), and Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens to find the perfect fit for your garden.

Whether you need low-maintenance groundcover or striking accents, mondo grass offers a variety of sizes and styles to suit every landscape. If you’re curious about the best choice for your site, browse our selection and transform your garden with reliable, easy-care beauty.


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.

–The Plant Company

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