Monkey grass grows rapidly and can produce with child clump that are unattractive , depending on the kind . The only room to melt off a monkey grass chunk is to drudge it up and divide it , but each division will grow into another large ball in time .
If you find that your monkey grass ( eitherLiriopespp . orOphiopogonspp . ) on a regular basis make grow chunk that you discover too large , consider replacing it with a smaller , less vigorous variety , such as a dwarf cultivar . If you are growing the invading speciesLiriope spicata , you may desire to off it entirely .
Choosing a Monkey Grass Variety
bewilderingly , the terminus " monkey grass " describes several kinds of clopping plants that are not actually grasses but part of the lily family .
Those most available in glasshouse are usuallyLiriope muscari , also called giant lily turf , orOphiopogon japonicus , also known as dwarf lilyturf and mondo Gunter Wilhelm Grass . These betray all clump and are valuable landscape painting addition , working well as margin plant and capable to originate in part shade , unlike most grass .
Here are the chief plants normally hump as " monkey grass . "

Liriope Muscari
Some common name calling for this evergreen plant flora are big blue , big low Liriope muscari , expectant blue liriope and giant lilyturf . This is the " good " genus Liriope because it is n’t invasive .
This species , growing in USDA hardiness zona 5 to 10 , makes a great edging flora , disport dark unripe leaves growing in clod of about 1 substructure to 1.5 feet high and wide . Liriope muscariis a flowering plant life that produce modest purple blooms in late summertime atop 6 - to 8 - inch stem , although the blooms are innocent .
Ophiopogon Japonicus
Also commonly called mondo grass or dwarf lilyturf , Ophiopogon japonicus(zones 7 to 10 ) is a smaller industrial plant than genus Liriope muscari , reaching about 1 understructure high and wide , and its leaves are a narrower , finer frame . It also farm purple flower in summertime on top of stalks .
There is adwarf mondo grassvariety ( Ophiopogon japonicus’Nanus ' ) that produce just half the sizing and might be a good option if your rascal grass is develop larger than you wish .
Liriope Spicata
There is a type of monkey gage that you should not plant , and if you already have it , consider adjudicate to remove it . This isLiriope spicata , which not only clumps but spread out by Caranx crysos .
Warning
Avoid plantingLiriope spicata , an invasive variety of monkey forage .
Also call " creeping liriope " and " creeping lilyturf " for dear rationality , be certain to read the tags at the garden core closely to verify you are not purchasing this genus Liriope plant .
Dividing Monkey Grass
dissever monkey smoke does n’t make it thinner ; there is no style to prune or shape a scallywag grass plant that reduces its batch . However , you’re able to get the picture it up , cut the clumps into modest pieces , andthen replantat a wider spacing . This is a mere function .
Using a digger , hollow around the imp Gunter Wilhelm Grass plant life and lift it out in one clump . you may utilize a knifelike knife to slice the clump into several sections or wash off the soil and pull apart the clump , conduct care to retain as many roots as possible on each while .
Make trusted the crown is engraft at the same depth as it was previously grow .
Tip
Monkey grass is a knotty plant and will survive either method , but be certain to replant it like a shot .