The cultivar, 'Nigerescens' is commonly known as Black Mondo Grass or Black Lily-Turf. The genus name, Ophiopogon , is derived from two Greek words. Ophis means snake, and pogon means beard. Black Mondo Grass prefers rich, slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained soil. It grows well in full sun to partial shade. In warmer climates, it is best to provide it with some afternoon shade. It is adaptable to a wide range of conditions including salt and drought. It thrives in evenly moist soils. Seasons of Interest: Bloom: Summer Foliage: Spring, Summer, and Fall Fruits: Fall Quick ID Hints: herbaceous perennial groundcover from 8 to 12 inches tall and equally as wide in arching clumps stemless black to purple, narrow, linear, leathery, grass-like leaves tiny white, bell-shaped flowers that are tinged with pink and lilac round, dark purple berries that mature in the fall Insec ts, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Black Mondo Grass has no serious disease or insect problems. Monitor for possible slugs in moist climates.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Black; Purple/Lavender
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are leathery, narrow, linear, grass-like, and black to purple. They measure 3/16 inches wide and 8 to 12 inches in height.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers are white with pink and lilac tinges, bell-shaped, measure 1/4 inch long, that appear in racemes. They bloom during the summer from July to August.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruits are round, dark, purple berries that mature in the fall.
Stem detail
Stemless.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Play value
Defines Paths
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Walkways
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden