How to Prevent and Control the Spread of Liriope

While Liriope, also known as lilyturf or monkey grass, is considered one of the best shade-loving ground cover plantsit tends to spread if left unchecked. In fact, some species are quite aggressive and you’ll find that they might even be considered invasive in some states like Virginia, Georgia, and South Carolina. But if these hardy plants are growing in your garden, you can limit their growth and even stop them from overgrowing by using physical barriers or digging up and dividing clumps when they get too big.

Before deciding how best to contain your Liriope, you will need to identify which one you have as there are two common species that have different growing habits. One species, Liriope spicata, is a spreading form and the most aggressive. It spreads rapidly through underground rhizomes. The other type is Liriope muscari, which is a clumping form. Although Liriope muscari also grows by growing offshoots around the perimeter of each clump, it is a little more well-behaved and easier to remember, especially when you know the techniques for dividing perennial plants like Liriope with success.

The best way to control the spread of Liriope spicata is to install a physical barrier consisting of a metal edging that you bury along the edges of the plants, making sure to embed it in the soil at least 18 inches deep . This type of border will prevent underground rhizomes from continuing to spread beyond the rigid barrier. Another impressive benefit for know how to use metal edging is that it can also prevent your lawn from spreading into your flower beds. If you don’t want to install a barrier, you can also dig around the edges of the Liriope and pull out sections of roots that threaten to take over the rest of your garden. Use a sharp shovel to separate the runners from the main plant, then dig and remove any rhizomes you find in the surrounding soil. Container growing is also a suitable option for fast-spreading Liriope spicata.

Liriope muscari, the clumping variety, can also be controlled with a strong metal edge, or by digging around clumps to remove small offshoots if they are likely to invade areas where you don’t want them. Of course, the other thing you can do to limit the growth of clumps is to provide a hard surface, such as a gravel path or even a surrounding border made of rocks or bricks. If you haven’t planted Liriope yet, be sure to look for the clumping type. Liriope muscari is particularly useful as a border plant along paths or driveways where its spread can easily be stopped by simple landscaping.