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types of mondo grass

Looking to explore the different types of mondo grass for your garden? Mondo grass, or Ophiopogon, is a highly versatile and low-maintenance groundcover loved by gardeners across New Zealand. Its hardy nature, shade tolerance, and evergreen foliage make it perfect for borders, mass plantings, and even as a lawn alternative. Read on to discover the most popular types of mondo grass, their unique characteristics, and tips for choosing the right variety for your landscaping needs.

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.

From $6.95

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

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Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, commonly known as Black Mondo Grass, is a clump-forming plant with fine, near black foliage. The foliage is complemented with flower spikes in summer, which bear tiny, pale pink flowers as it grows to 20 cm tall and the same width.

From $9.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 20 cm
Spread: 20 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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$6.95
Lomandra 'Seascape' grass with elegant, blue-green foliage growing beside a pond.
Lomandra confertifolia Seascape

Lomandra confertifolia 'Seascape' is a hardy, evergreen ornamental grass featuring slender, blue-grey foliage with a graceful, weeping habit. Forming...

From$19.25
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$9.95
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$18.63
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$11.50
Lomandra Little Con plants with fine, green foliage.
Lomandra Little Con

Lomandra Little Con is a compact, evergreen ornamental grass known for its delicate, lush green foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to...

From$17.87
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$16.95
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$19.25
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$19.95
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$10.97
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

From$19.25
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$19.95
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$19.25
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$18.63
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Lomandra Lime Tuff in a garden showing elegant foliage.
Lomandra Lime Tuff

Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass valued for its vibrant lime green foliage and compact tidy growth habit. This versatile...

From$8.21
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.
Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to...

From$11.50
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$17.87
isolepsis-cernua-1
Isolepis cernua (Scirpus cernua)

Isolepis cernua (Fiber Optic Grass) is a distinctive ornamental grass prized for its fine green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that resemble...

From$16.49
Carex comans Bronze plant in a garden with dense bronze foliage.
Carex comans Bronze

Carex comans Bronze features slender, hair-like, bronze-brown foliage. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and the same width. Carex comans Bronze is...

From$8.50
Imperata 'Red Baron' with colourful, red foliage
Imperata Red Baron

Imperata 'Red Baron', commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass, features leaves that are green at the base and become red further up the blade. Through...

From$20.63
Libertia paniculata plant with white flowers.
Libertia paniculata (Grass Flag)

Libertia paniculata is an elegant evergreen perennial admired for its fine, upright foliage and delicate white flowers that appear in airy clusters...

From$16.50
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.
Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

From$11.50
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grasses as a mass planting and featuring elegant, cream-coloured flower heads as plumes.
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...

From$19.95
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$17.25
Carex 'Feather Falls' plants with variegated foliage in a garden.
Carex 'Feather Falls'

Carex 'Feather Falls' is a popular ornamental grass characterised by its cream and green variegated leaves. It typically grows to 30 cm tall and the...

From$19.95
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
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
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$22.01
A large planting of Stipa gigantea (Golden Oat Grass) as a feature garden.
Stipa gigantea

Stipa gigantea, commonly known as the Golden Oat Grass, is a large, ornamental grass. It grows as a clump and produces narrow, dark green leaves. The...

From$15.11
Red Tussock (chionochloa rubra) growing in their natural environment.
Chionochloa rubra

Chionochloa rubra, commonly known as Red Tussock, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its tall, arching foliage in shades of bronze...

From$18.50
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Anemanthele, Carex, and Lomandra, or related Categories - Grasses, and Mondo Grass.

Search types of mondo grass

What is Mondo Grass?

Mondo grass (Ophiopogon spp.) is a tufted, clumping perennial, not a true grass, but closely related to lilies. Its strappy, arching leaves and tiny, delicate flowers make it a favourite in both formal and informal garden designs. Some varieties are renowned for their glossy, deep green leaves, while others offer distinctive silver or black foliage that brings contrast and drama to your garden beds.

Popular Types of Mondo Grass in New Zealand

With several distinct types of mondo grass available, it's easy to find one that suits your garden's style and conditions. Here are some of the top choices:

Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass)

If you're after a variety with a striking, silvery sheen, Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass) is an excellent option. Known for its fine, pale silvery-green foliage, Silver Mist creates a soft, shimmering effect, ideal for brightening shady areas or weaving into mixed plantings for texture contrast. It's drought tolerant and thrives in both full shade and part sun.

Ophiopogon japonicus

The classic mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicus, features lush, dark green leaves that form dense clumps, providing year-round ground cover. It’s exceptionally resilient and commonly used to define garden paths or as a living mulch beneath trees and shrubs.

Ophiopogon Kyoto

Looking for an elegant, low-growing border plant? Ophiopogon Kyoto has beautiful, finer-textured green leaves that create neat, compact mounds. This variety is a popular pick for Japanese-style gardens and narrow edging along paths or garden beds.

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens

For gardeners wanting bolder foliage, Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens offers striking, jet-black leaves. Sometimes called 'black mondo grass,' this cultivar is a real standout in both pots and gardens, creating contrast with lighter coloured perennials or gravel mulches.

Ophiopogon Black Dragon

Another dark-leafed option, Ophiopogon Black Dragon, features very deep purple-black foliage, giving an exotic look to shady corners or contemporary planting schemes. Its colour intensifies in cooler weather, making it a great choice for year-round interest.

Choosing the Best Mondo Grass for Your Garden

When selecting from the various types of mondo grass, consider your preferred foliage colour, mature plant height, and the light conditions in your garden. Most types of mondo grass thrive in well-drained soil and are tolerant of dry spells once established, making them exceptionally easy-care. Whether you want to create a subtle carpet of green or add a dramatic accent plant, there’s a type of mondo grass to suit every space.

Ready to enhance your landscape? Browse our range of Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass), Ophiopogon japonicus, Ophiopogon Kyoto, Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, and Ophiopogon Black Dragon to find the perfect groundcover for your garden.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
The spotlight often lands on Corokia 'Bronze King' and Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant), but Dracaena 'Warneckii', Eucalyptus Baby Blue (Silver Gum), and Pseudowintera Red Glow' deserve a standing ovation too.
–The Plant Company

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