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Liriope spicata
Also called Creeping lilyturf
Creeping lilyturf is a low, grass-like evergreen perennial grown mainly as a groundcover, spreading by rhizomes. It is tough and forgiving, and its main drawback is that it can spread aggressively.
Liriope spicata is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. It is native to Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. It is sometimes referred to by the common names creeping lilyturf, creeping liriope, lilyturf, and monkey grass. This low-growing, herbaceous perennial has grass-like evergreen foliage and is commonly used in landscaping in temperate climates as groundcover. Creeping lilyturf has white to lavender flowers which produce single-seeded berries on a spike in the fall. It is one of the most popular groundcovers in the southeastern United States and areas with a similar climate.
Creeping lilyturf is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Moist, fertile soils with partial shade are ideal, but it also tolerates wide range of light and soil conditions. Creeping lilyturf also tolerates heat, humidity, and drought. The evergreen foliage often turns brown in late winter; old foliage can be cut back or mowed at a high setting before new shoots appear early spring. Creeping lilyturf is suitable for USDA zones 4 to 10.
Creeping lilyturf is a native understory plant in China and Vietnam found in forests and grassy slopes at elevations of sea level to 5,900 feet (1,800 meters).
Creeping lilyturf is mainly used in mass plantings as a groundcover. Its tendency of aggressive spreading makes it generally unsuitable as a border plant. The species has been observed to establish rhizomes beneath concrete borders. Creeping lilyturf is an excellent plant to establish on steep slopes where erosion control is needed. Minimal maintenance is required.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Liriope spicata by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
