Black Mondo Grass

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6-18 Inches

Mature Spread

6-18 Inches

Growing Zones

6 to 8

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.