Splitting Liriope Roots - Learn How To Divide A Liriope Plant

Dividing liriope plants is fairly straightforward. When splitting liriope, growers will first need to dig up the plant and remove the root ball from the garden. Once the plant has been removed, carefully cut through the root ball using a sharp serrated knife or shovel for larger clumps.

How do you split monkey grass?

Plant the separated clumps of monkey grass right away. Space the divided monkey grass with at least 12 inches between the holes. Dig holes deep and wide enough to easily accommodate the roots. Place the separated clumps in the holes at the same depth as the initial clump and cover with dirt.

Should Liriope be cut back each year?

It is not necessary, but homeowners and landscapers often trim liriope just prior to spring to remove old-looking and tattered foliage. Time the pruning before new growth has started to emerge in the spring. The trimmed foliage is usually a good candidate for your compost.

How do you dig up Liriope?

Digging the monkey grass will get the roots and will keep the spreading nature under control. Use a spade or shovel to dig down around the liriope. Till the area around the removed plants and over the ground with plastic or newspaper to help choke out further growth.

How far apart do you plant Liriope?

Variegated Liriope Spacing

For a grassy ground cover, space plants 18 inches apart on-center. For an accent plant, space at least 24 inches apart.

When can I divide and transplant Liriope?

Ideally, the process of dividing liriope should be done in early spring before new growth has resumed. Due to the hardy nature of this plant, however, it is possible to successfully divide this plant later in the season.

How do you maintain Liriope?

To keep the liriope looking nice and neat, mow or shear the foliage back to the ground during the late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

How do you winterize Liriope?

Late winter and early spring are also good times to dig and divide lilyturf plants. To do so, simply dig the plant and divide using a sharp pair of garden shears or a shovel. Plant the divided clumps in the desired location by digging a hole at least twice as wide and deep as the plant's root ball.

What is the best fertilizer for Liriope?

Liriope doesn't need a lot of fertilizer. A light application of 10-10-10 – around ¼ cup per plant – applied in the spring is sufficient, especially if you have fertile soil. In fact, too much fertilizer can make this plant more prone to disease and insect problems.

Why are my Liriope not flowering?

Arid sites or poorly drained areas stress liriope plants and inhibit blooming. Moisture needs relate closely to sunlight. Sunnier, bloom-promoting areas require more moisture to keep liriopes performing at peak. Foliage may not suffer in low moisture, but blooming can be delayed or reduced.

Which Liriope Cannot spread?

Liriope muscari is the "clumping" kind that does not spread by runners and basically stays where you put it. It blooms purple, not white like spicata, but it shares all the good qualities of the spreading kind - incredible toughness and adaptability - without the invasive behavior.

Will Liriope grow in shade?

Liriope is remarkably tough. It will grow in deep shade or full sun, sand or clay. It can endure heat, drought and salt spray, but will not take “wet feet”; it requires moist, well-drained soil.

How do you keep weeds out of Liriope?

After planting liriope or mondo grass, apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch to the planting area to help prevent weed growth. Encouraging vegetative growth will help attain a solid cover more quickly. Both liriope and mondo grass will thrive with at least a yearly application of mulch and fertilizer.

Is Liriope poisonous to dogs?

Walter Reeves lists liriope as a plant that can cause stomach upset when large quantities are consumed even though the berries or plant are not specifically listed as poisonous. Avoid consuming any part of the plant and keep pets away from the berries if you suspect a problems with accidental consumption.

Is Big Blue Liriope invasive?

Liriope spicata is a low-growing perennial grass. It's often used as a groundcover or as an edging for walkways and garden beds, but it's aggressive and spreads fast. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't become invasive in your garden. Ornamental grasses are beautiful in the landscape.

Is Liriope fast growing?

Liriope spreads quickly. It can grown as a border plant or as a ground cover. Plant about 12-18″ apart in well tilled soil.

How deep do Liriope roots grow?

This plant spreads quickly by rhizomes and can invade adjacent turf areas or other ground cover beds. Therefore, this liriope may be best suited for planting in a bed surrounded by hardscape or confined with an edging (root barrier) that is 18 inches deep.

Is liriope and monkey grass the same thing?

Species of Liriope are the plants most commonly referred to as "monkey grass," or sometimes "lily turf," and southern gardeners have either of two reactions to it: hate or love.

Can you propagate Liriope?

The best and easiest way to propagate this plant is through simple division. It is the nature of the plant to keep producing more and more new crowns and those crowns can easily be split off and used to start new plants. The ideal time to propagate this plant is in the very late fall, or early spring.

Does Liriope stay green in winter?

Life of Liriope

Even after seed development, liriope can stay green in mild temperatures, though it often browns at the tips by the end of winter. Work with the plant's life cycle by cutting old plants to the ground in late winter before new shoots develop in early spring.

Why are my Liriope turning yellow?

It's caused by a strain of the fungus (Phytopthora) that caused the great Irish potato famine of the mid-1800s and that still is a common threat to rhododendrons. What usually happens is that a leaf or two in a liriope cluster first turns yellow. ... Unfortunately, the fungus can remain in the soil to reinfect new liriope.

How do you prune liriope?

Use garden scissors, hedge shearers, string trimmers or even your lawnmower adjusted to its highest setting (make sure the blades are sharp and push the mower through the planting slowly). Clipping back every two to three years generally is adequate, so if your liriope looks fine this year, you may leave it alone.