How to Plant & Maintain a Monkey Grass Lawn

Monkey grass, or mondo grass, makes an effective ground cover because it grows in a variety of climates. This low-maintenance flowering perennial can grow up to 16 inches high with little or no fertilizing. Its long leaves not only provide a thick green carpet for your yard, they can also be used to cover up imperfections such as tree stumps. In the fall, this plant contributes white flowers and blue berries to your landscape.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tiller
• Fertilizer
• Fungicide
• Garden hose

1. Choose a spot in your yard that is well-drained and receives filtered sun or shade. Monkey grass leaves can burn in full sunlight. Likewise, you can either pick large areas or plant monkey grass in between stepping stones, along flowerbeds or bordering rock gardens.

2. Remove any rocks or debris from the area. Use a tiller to break up the soil. Avoid going back over the rows of tilled soil because you can compact the soil.

3. Divide the monkey grass into clumps. Be sure to include enough roots and at least 8 to 10 leaves per clump. Make small holes and pack soil around monkey grass.

4. Fertilize your monkey grass to jump-start its growing and help establish roots. Attach the fertilizer bottle to a garden hose and spray evenly over the area. If you are spraying a large area, walk down imaginary lines to distribute the fertilizer.

5. Monitor your monkey grass for crown rot or other fungi. Look for yellow leaves at the base of the plant. Crown rot that goes unchecked will cause the entire plant to turn yellow from the bottom up and die. Apply a fungicide from a nursery.

6. Prune back monkey plants if they impede other plants or flower beds. Use shears to cut back the old leaves or manage your monkey grass.

7. Keep monkey grass moist, especially in the winter months. Refrain from over watering by giving just a light spray. Moist monkey grass will remain alive in colder climates.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant monkey grass in low-traffic areas to ensure its success.
• Keep monkey grass from growing over their designated areas by planting them in their containers or next to a brick.

References

• Monkey Grass
• Growing Monkey Grass