Creeping Liriope

(Liriope spicata)

Creeping Liriope (Liriope spicata)

Bruce Kirchoff

CC BY 2.0

Image By: Bruce Kirchoff

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: Bruce Kirchoff | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Bruce Kirchoff | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Liriope spicata, commonly known as Creeping Liriope, is a semi-deciduous perennial herb originating from forest margins, open woodlands, and grassy slopes in East and Southeast Asia. It typically grows to a height of 0.8-2 feet and a width of 1-2 feet. The plant features dense, grass-like foliage and spikes of small, white to lavender flowers in late summer, followed by blackish berries in the fall. The flowers are modest in appearance but add a subtle charm to the garden when in bloom.

Creeping Liriope is valued for its adaptability, serving as an excellent groundcover that can form extensive mats over time. It is particularly useful for erosion control on slopes and is also planted in urban areas, borders, and under trees where grass might struggle to grow. While it thrives in moist, fertile soils with partial shade, it is remarkably tolerant of a range of light and soil conditions, including full sun and drought. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 10. However, it can become invasive, spreading by rhizomes to form colonies that may outcompete native vegetation. To maintain its appearance, old foliage can be cut back in late winter before new growth starts in spring.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb, Grass
Height: 0.8-1.5 feet
Width: 1-2 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: Purple, White
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fire Resistant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Originating from forest margins, open woodlands, and grassy slopes in East and Southeast Asia, with spikes of small, white to lavender flowers in late summer

Other Names

Common Names: Creeping Lilyturf , Monkey Grass , Blek Druvlilja , 개맥문동

Scientific Names: Liriope spicata , Liriope tawadae , Ophiopogon spicatus , Liriope koreana , Liriope spicata var. prolifera , Liriope spicata f. koreana , Liriope graminifolia subsp. koreana , Liriope graminifolia var. koreana , Liriope spicata subsp. humilis , Liriope spicata subsp. koreana

GBIF Accepted Name: Liriope spicata Lour.