Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Mondo Grass, is a small evergreen perennial herb native to woodland areas and forest margins in Japan. It typically grows to 20 cm (8 in) tall by 30 cm (12 in) wide. This plant forms dense tufts of grass-like leaves from short rhizomes and produces racemes of purple or white flowers on short stems above the foliage during the summer months. The flowers are subtle, but they are followed by more noticeable black berries. Mondo Grass spreads by underground stolons with thick fleshy roots, creating sizeable colonies that can be divided in spring for propagation.

Mondo Grass is valued for its lush foliage and is often used as ground cover or underplanting for larger shrubs. The cultivar ’Kokuryu’, or black mondo, is particularly popular for its striking dark purple to black leaves, which provide a strong contrast in the garden. It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its ornamental qualities. Mondo Grass thrives in a range of light conditions, from full sun to part shade, and prefers soil with medium moisture and drainage. It is relatively low-maintenance, but can suffer from crown rot in overly wet conditions and may require protection from slugs and snails.CC BY-SA 4.0