Monkey grass, also known as mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), is most often used as a ground cover. The clumps of flat, green leaves resemble grass, with small blue flowers that appear in the summer. The grass grows up to a foot tall and is most easily propagated through division, rather than growing the monkey grass from seed. Monkey grass grows well in partial sun or full shade, with the leaf color darker in shaded areas. The grass grows well in Sunset's Climate Zones 5 through 9 and 14 through 24.
Dig up plants in the spring after any frost danger is over but before new growth appears. Dig in a circle around the plant about 1 foot in diameter and 6 inches deep.
Lift the plant from the ground, preserving as much of the root system as possible. Knock the loose dirt from the roots.
Divide the plant into sections. Use your hands to separate the sections, or cut the sections with a knife. The sections can be any size as long as they have part of the root system attached and eight to 10 leaves.
Plant the segments in an area with partial to full shade. Dig a hole just large enough for the root system and place the leaves above the soil line. The plants do not require fertilization or heavy watering, though soil should be kept moist but not saturated.
Divide the monkey grass every three years. Cut damaged blades back to the soil line in the spring before the plant shows any new growth.
Things You Will Need
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