Debunking Dwarf Mondo Grass Myths

As one of the most misunderstood species of the plant world, mondo grass has a reputation for doing well in shady areas as a ground cover – but is that true?

Depending on where you live in Australia, your lawn may have received more than it bargained for during recent months. The grass may have been scorched bone-dry, received a lack of sunlight thanks to cloudy conditions, been underwater with recent flooding, or a combination of all three. 

If your plants are the artwork of any garden, then many consider their lawn to be the frame. If it’s not in tip top shape, then the whole area just doesn’t quite look as it should. While many people simply seek a lawn that isn’t going to drop in condition in line with the seasons, a more troublesome conundrum is dealing with a lack of sunlight – which is when many homeowners turn to mondo grass as a solution. 

An Introduction To Dwarf Mondo Grass

Regardless of whether you’re looking to patch up a spot in your backyard or opt for a grass to cover a full lawn, choosing a groundcover to go under trees can be tricky, as one side of the tree will be shady and the other side can be hot and sunny.

Originally native to Japan, mondo grass is beloved in Australia thanks to its tolerance of a wide variety of conditions and climates. This hardy little plant species features shiny dark green leaves that will tolerate very dry conditions, thrives in most soil types and is frost tolerant. Mondo grass is extremely popular not just as a variety that can be grown in full sun, but the fact that it’s also perfectly fine when positioned in full shade. 

However, what most people don’t know is that mondo grass isn’t actually a type of grass at all. Although its grass-like foliage forms dense tufts that slowly spread over time and require no mowing, mondo grass actually belongs to the lily family. 

Mondo grass grows by spreading stolons, or horizontal stems that are just below the soil surface. Much like traditional grass varieties, mondo grass also has tuberous roots that allows it to store water and nutrients, but also sports patches of small white and lilac flowers. 

In residential settings, most people opt for dwarf mondo grass as a ground cover. The tall version of mondo grass is usually a fast spreader once it is established, whereas dwarf mondo grass spreads slightly slower than its full-sized relative. The upside to this is that dwarf mondo is not as invasive as mondo grass, and therefore much more suitable for lawns and gardens. 

As mondo varieties require very little maintenance, this characteristic makes them ideal for growing in hard-to-reach areas of the yard, such as slopes. In addition, all mondo grass really needs to thrive is the occasional drop of water and for gardeners to keep an eye on the occasional weeds that may appear in between developing plants. 

When introducing mondo varieties to your garden, aim to plant the grass in well-drained soils that receive full to partial sun and are free of weeds.  You don’t want your grass growing together with weeds, as these can be extremely hard to remove.  

If you share your home with pets and kids, introducing chemical based weed killers to eradicate unwelcome invaders isn’t the best idea. Thankfully, there’s now an organic solution that gets the job done without inflicting any harm.

Introducing A Safer Way To Spray

Bioweed is an organic, non selective weed killer that works fast on contact with the weed, in order to rapidly desiccate and burn even the most stubborn of plants. It can be used anywhere around the house including garden beds, veggie patches, paths and driveways, and is safe to use around children, animals and even native wildlife. 

The best part? Bioweed is the brainchild of well established agricultural leaders Greenpro, and is backed by over twenty years of research and development. Owned and manufactured in Australia, the primary ingredient of Bioweed is actually sustainably sourced pine oil, and is even approved by NASAA, ACO and APVMA for use around organic farms and food production. 

If you’re on the hunt for a pet friendly weed killer, or simply want to know more about eliminating weeds safely – check out other tips and tricks in our online advice forum, or contact us for any further queries.