How to Grow and Care for Liriope

The Liriope genus includes grass-like flowering perennial plants native to parts of Asia. Two common species in the United States, L. muscari (also called lilyturf) and L. spicata (also called creeping liriope or monkey grass), are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant ground covers planted to prevent erosion, edge beds, and control weeds.

Liriope spicata is named for the spiky form of its flowers, and Liriope muscari is named afterMuscari botryoides (grape hyacinth), which has a similar flower formation. Flower spikes are lavender or white, blooming from August to September. Liriope can be planted from spring to fall generally from nursery plants or divisions. Some types grow larger and spread quicker than others but watering and fertilizer affect growth rates.

Liriope Care

Both species are tough plants that can grow in sandy or clay soil with an acidic to neutral pH and located in full sun or part shade. The only "must-have" is that liriope grows in well-draining soil.

Plant each liriope about 1 foot apart, keeping in mind that L. spicata will spread since it's a creeping plant. It's unnecessary to divide the plants though you can do so every three to four years.

Fertilizer will boost liriope's growth rate and may encourage spread. Liriope is evergreen in warmer climates and will die back in the winter in colder climates.

Warning

L. spicata is listed as invasive in Virginia, Georgia, and North Carolina. It's also naturalized and problematic in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Light

Liriope plants do best in a part shade location, though they also tolerate full sun well and will survive in almost full shade. In warmer climates, these plants appreciate afternoon shade. However, deep shade causes leggy foliage and slows the spreading.

Soil

Liriope tolerates a wide range of soils and soil conditions, but it doesn't like constantly wet or boggy soil.

Water

During the first growing season, water liriope regularly—but not daily, as that can cause soggy soil conditions. Liriope needs about 1 inch of water per week. Once established, liriope plants are relatively drought-tolerant and can go a little longer between watering days.

Water Early

With all plants, including liriope, it is best to water early in the morning. Watering in the middle of the day can cause the water to evaporate before the plant has had time to drink.

Temperature and Humidity

Liriope plants prefer moderately warm daytime temperatures, ranging between 68°F to 75°F. In the coldest USDA zones, some winter protection may be necessary.

Fertilizer

Liriope can benefit from feeding once in the early spring with a 10-10-10 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) slow-release shrub-and-tree fertilizer or organic plant food. It shouldn't need more than 1/4 cup per plant.

Types of Liriope

L. muscari grows in clumps and is well-suited for edging; leaves are 3/8 and 1/2 inches wide with larger flowers. L. spicata has narrower leaves and smaller, lighter-hued flowers. Here are some popular cultivars of both types:

• Liriope muscari 'Majestic':This plant has large lilac flowers and dark foliage.
• Liriope muscari 'Christmas Tree': This plant blooms with light lavender flower spikes.
• Liriope muscari 'Evergreen Giant':White flower spikes emerge from stiff-textured leaf blades.
• Liriope muscari 'Monroe's White': White flower spikes grow from this plant's dark green foliage with 1/2-inch wide blades.
• Liriopemuscari 'John Burch': This type has lavender flower spikes and variegated 1/2-inch wide blades with green with yellowish-white margins.
• Liriope spicata 'Silver Dragon': Lavender flower spikes grow from slender, variegated green and white leaves.
• Liriope spicata 'Franklin Mint': This type also has lavender flower spikes but with slightly wider leaves than 'Silver Dragon'.

Pruning

Liriopes spread via rhizomes, and sometimes aggressively. Keep liriope looking nice and neat by mowing or shearing the foliage back to the ground during the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dying flower stems and withered foliage.

Pruning Tip

Looking for the best pruners for your liriope? We tested over 10top-rated pruning shearsin our Lab to make sure your plants stay happy and healthy.

Propagating Liriope

Propagate liriope by division in the very late fall or early spring. Divide liriope after the third growing season for best results. Though division is not necessary for the health or longevity of the plant, it helps control spread. Here's how to divide liriope:

1. Find a healthy clump or section of recently watered foliage. Use a sterilized knife to cut through the root ball and divide it into pieces, each with some roots intact.
2. Transplant divisions to a different part of the garden or a pot. Leave the root's crown uncovered by soil so it can breathe and avoid rotting when watered. Only put soil around the plant and the root.
3. If transplanting to a pot, make sure the container is larger than the plant with several inches on the sides and bottom to allow the plant to grow.
   

How to Grow Liriope From Seed

Growing liriope from seed is more involved than division. Harvest seeds from the plant's dark purple fruits in the fall. Dry out the fruits and prepare and plant seeds about eight weeks before the last frost date by taking these steps:

1. Soak liriope berries in warm water for 24 hours. Remove any remaining pulp from the seed using your fingers.
2. Soak the seeds again for 10 minutes in a mixture of 1 part household bleach and 9 parts water though this step is optional. The bleach can remove the phenolic acid on the seed casing to aid germination.
3. Plant the seeds 1/4 inch deep in a clean seed starter pot or the ground. Keep it evenly moist until germination, which should occur in 1 to 2 weeks. The best germination temperature is roughly 65°F to 70°F for at least 30 days.
4. Transplant the seedling outdoors or in a larger pot once it reaches 1 inch in height.

Potting and Repotting Liriope

Liriope is usually used as ground cover but can be grown in pots.

Grow the plant in a moist, well-drained, quality general-purpose potting mix. The container should have several drainage holes at the bottom and be at least 3 inches longer and deeper than the plant.

These plants do well when slightly rootbound, but if the roots grow through the drainage holes, it's time to repot. This usually occurs ever 2-3 years. Go up one pot size (1-2 inches) and fill it with fresh potting soil.

Overwintering

Liriope is an evergreen plant hardy to USDA zone 4, but it goes dormant in the winter and stops growing. Trim off dead, browned leaves that might encourage disease or pest activity. During intense cold snaps, protect the plant by covering it with a layer of leaves to prevent stress or plant death.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Indoor liriope is vulnerable tomealybugsandaphids that are best treated with horticultural oil.

Outdoors, watch for slugs and snails feeding on the plants. Keep the ground free of debris and spread diatomaceous earth to repel them.

Anthracnose appears during frequent rainfall or overhead irrigation and causes reddish-brown spots along the leaf margins and leaf tips. Mow or trim away last year's leaves to a height of about three inches and remove as much of the debris as possible to stop the spread.

Leaf and crown rot disease results in yellowing foliage followed by browning leaf sections. Dispose of plants showing leaf and crown rot to avoid spreading the disease caused by Phytophthora palmivora, a fungus-like pathogen.

How to Get Liriope to Bloom

Bloom Months

Liriope blooms in the late summer and into the fall.

What Do Lirioipe Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Liriope flowers grow on spikes that can reach 6 to 8 inches tall. The blooms can be lavender, purple, pink, white, or lilac-purple. Sometimes the flowers can have a sharp, sweet scent.

How to Encourage More Blooms

If your plant is not blooming, it could be stressed from temperature extremes, underwatering, lack of sunlight, high nitrogen in the soil, or poorly draining soil. Adjust growing conditions to help spur blooming. Encourage blooms by mowing down liriope in late winter but keep the mower high to avoid damaging the plant's crown.

Common Problems With Liriope

Liriope is a relatively low-maintenance plant. However, here are some typical issues that you may find with liriope:

Browning Leaf Tips

Browning leaf tips or margins usually affect indoor plants more than outdoor liriope. It is often caused by insufficient water or not enough moisture in the air. Water the plant adequately and add a humidifier to increase humidity around the plant.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves accompanied by brown or black patches at the base of the leaves indicate root rot. Apply fungicide or cut out the rotted part if caught early but dispose of the plant if the entire crown is brown or black. However, liriope leaves can yellow if it's sitting in poorly drained soil or bleach to a yellow-tan if they're exposed to too much sunlight.

Leaf Scarring

Slugs and snails like to chew through the liriope's leaves. Try homemade solutions to rid yourself of these pests without harming your plants or the environment.

From: thespruce