
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
Black Mondo Grass or Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigra provides a lovely textural element ornamental grasses are known for, but this plant stands out from most other grasses because of its striking color. The glossy, strap-like foliage is a deep, dark black-like hue that introduces a very unexpected pop of color. New growth is green and slowly settles into a dark purplish-black. Light pink, bell-shaped flowers bloom on tall racemes during the midsummer. Dark, fleshy seed pods replace the flowers and will last throughout the winter.
This low-maintenance ornamental grass steals the show thanks to its uniquely colored foliage. Plant near the front of a bed so the arching foliage will be on full display. Create a memorable border or mass planting, or include it in a bed with plants in contrasting or coordinating colors. Feature this cultivar in a container for more flexible placement options. Black Mondo Grass grows as a perennial in USDA zones 6 through 8.
Black Mondo Grass Care
This grass can live in full sun to partial shade but select a spot with morning light and afternoon shade in warm areas. This plant prefers consistently damp soil, so water weekly or when the top couple of inches of soil dries out. Soil should be rich, moist, and well-drained. Feed this plant using balanced fertilizer each spring.
As a slow-spreading, clump-forming plant, this grass can be propagated through division every few years. Remove dead or damaged growth as needed.
Black Mondo Grass Spacing
Black Mondo Grass has an upright growth habit and will reach 8 to 12 inches tall and wide. Space tufts 6 to 10 inches apart to create a full mass of continuous foliage.
Black Mondo Grass Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 - 8 |
Plant Type: |
Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 8 - 12 Inches |
Mature Spread: 8 - 12 Inches |
Spacing: 8 - 12 Inches |
Habit: Clumping |
Flower Color(s): Pink |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: Mid-Summer |
Foliage Type: Evergreen |
Foliage Color(s): Black |
Foliage Description: Almost Black |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer, Rabbit |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Birds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Edging, Groundcovers, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
Brand: |
Common Name: Black Mondo Grass |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: OPHIOPOGON PLANISCAPUS `NIGRA` |
- SKU:
- 1231000775-pc
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.