Also known as Mondo Grass · 437 gardener saves
Ophiopogon: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Ophiopogon, the genus most gardeners know as mondo grass. We track 24 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Ophiopogon varieties
Of 24 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedDwarf Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Gyoku Ryu'
#2 most savedTuff Tuft Silver
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Tuff Tuft Silver'
#3 most savedBlack Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Niger'
Black Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'
Black Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon nigrescens
Super Dwarf Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Super Dwarf'
Tuff Tuft Lavender Ophiopogon
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Tuff Tuft Lavender'
Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon japonicus
Dwarf Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Dwarf Mondo Grass'
Dwarf Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nana'
Black Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Black Mondo Grass'
Comet Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Comet'
Browse all 24 Ophiopogon varieties →
How to grow Ophiopogon
What the Ophiopogon varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 24 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Ophiopogon year
- DivideMarch, April and September100% of varieties
Divide clumps every 5+ years to propagate or revitalize the patch.
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March96% of varieties
Rake out dead foliage and debris trapped in the dense clumps.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October63% of varieties
Plant in spring or early fall for best establishment
Do
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Divide every few years to prevent overcrowding
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Don’t expose to full sun in hot climates
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Ophiopogon
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing foliage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled foliage | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and stippling on leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Leaf spot | Brown or black spots on leaves | Remove affected foliage and ensure good air circulation |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Ophiopogon
Division
- Dig up mature clumps in early spring.
- Separate into smaller sections with roots intact.
- Replant immediately at same depth.
- Water thoroughly and mulch.
Seed
- Collect seeds after flowering in late spring.
- Sow seeds in moist soil in early fall.
- Keep soil consistently moist during germination.
- Seedlings appear in 6–8 weeks.
Ophiopogon questions
How many types of Ophiopogon are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 24 distinct Ophiopogon varieties. The most popular — ranked by 437 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Ophiopogon grow in?
Across its varieties, Ophiopogon covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Ophiopogon bloom?
Most Ophiopogon varieties bloom in late summer, early summer, summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Ophiopogon should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Ophiopogon
Ophiopogon shows up in
By hardiness zone
Related genera
Design with Ophiopogon in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
