Mondo grasses are some of the most versatile and hardy plants you can add to your landscape. At The Plant Hub, we supply three of the most popular varieties: Mini Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’), Regular Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), and Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’).
Although they share the name “mondo grass,” each has unique growth habits, sizes and landscape applications. This guide will help you understand the differences so you can choose the right plant for your garden design.
What Is Mondo Grass?
Mondo grass belongs to the Ophiopogon genus and is often mistaken for a true grass. In fact, it’s part of the lily family and is grown mainly as a ground cover or border plant. Gardeners love mondo grasses for their:
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Evergreen foliage that stays attractive year-round
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Low maintenance care requirements
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Ability to thrive in shade and difficult spots
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Versatility in borders, pots, mass plantings, and even between paving
Mini Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’)
Size & Habit: Stays very compact at around 5–10 cm high. Forms dense, tufted clumps of fine, dark green leaves.
Best Uses:
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Perfect for borders along paths or garden beds
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Filler between pavers and stepping stones
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Popular in Japanese-style gardens for creating a neat, moss-like carpet
Care Requirements:
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Thrives in part shade to full shade
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Requires consistent moisture but dislikes waterlogging
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Slow growing but once established, forms a very tidy ground cover
Why Choose Mini Mondo Grass?
Mini mondo grass is ideal for small gardens, detailed edging, and low-maintenance areas where you want neat greenery without the upkeep of a lawn.
Regular Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Size & Habit: Grows taller than the dwarf variety, reaching 15–25 cm. Growth is upright with glossy, dark green foliage.
Best Uses:
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Traditional edging along paths and driveways
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Mass planting under trees where lawn struggles
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Excellent ground cover for shady or sloping areas
Care Requirements:
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Extremely hardy and adaptable
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Tolerates full sun through to deep shade
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Drought-tolerant once established
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Minimal maintenance — simply trim back old foliage annually if needed
Why Choose Regular Mondo Grass?
This is the most versatile variety and the best choice if you want a low-maintenance edging plant or a reliable ground cover that thrives in tough garden conditions.
Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’)
Size & Habit: Grows to about 20 cm high. Its standout feature is the striking jet-black foliage that makes a bold statement in any landscape.
Best Uses:
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Modern gardens and designer landscapes
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Striking contrast with silver, lime green, or white flowering plants
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Pot plant displays and feature edging
Care Requirements:
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Prefers full sun to part shade
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Requires well-drained soil and slightly more attention than the green varieties
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Slow growing, but the colour impact is unmatched
Why Choose Black Mondo Grass?
Black mondo grass is chosen for visual impact. Its unique foliage colour adds drama and contrast, making it a favourite with landscape designers.
Choosing the Right Mondo Grass
To recap:
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Mini Mondo Grass → small spaces, neat borders, paving gaps
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Regular Mondo Grass → versatile, tough, reliable ground cover or edging
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Black Mondo Grass → striking, decorative contrast for feature plantings
All three varieties are evergreen, low-maintenance, and drought-tolerant once established, making them some of the best ground cover plants for Australian gardens.