Monkey grass, known botanically as Liriope or Ophiopogon, is a popular, low-maintenance choice for ground cover and landscape edging, particularly in warmer climates. This resilient plant, which is actually a member of the lily family rather than a true grass, is valued for its deep green, grass-like foliage and ability to thrive in various light and soil conditions. While monkey grass is tough, annual trimming is necessary to maintain its neat appearance and promote a dense, vibrant canopy for the coming season. This process removes the old, worn leaves, setting the stage for a burst of fresh growth in the spring.
The Purpose of Trimming
Trimming serves the primary purpose of removing the previous year’s foliage, which often becomes tattered, brown, or spotted by late winter. These older leaves can accumulate and create a matted look, diminishing the plant’s aesthetic appeal. Clearing away this debris also helps to prevent the buildup of moisture and dead matter that can harbor fungal diseases or pests, contributing to overall plant health. Cutting back forces the plant to channel its energy into producing new, bright green shoots, encouraging a denser, more vigorous ground cover.
The fresh growth that emerges after trimming is uniformly colored and has a clean, upright habit, which is the desired look for manicured borders and beds. If left untrimmed for several years, monkey grass can become a dense tangle of old and new foliage, making it appear ragged and unkempt. A yearly cut ensures a consistently healthy and attractive display.
Optimal Timing for Cutting
The most effective time to cut back monkey grass is during its dormant period, specifically in late winter or very early spring, typically from January through March. This timing is critical because it occurs before the plant begins its new seasonal growth, maintaining the foliage’s natural, pointed tips. Cutting too late, once new green shoots have emerged, will shear off the tips of the fresh leaves, leaving them with an unsightly blunt or brown-edged appearance for the entire growing season.
Inspecting the plant crown for new growth is a more accurate gauge than relying solely on a calendar date. If small, bright green tips are emerging from the base of the plant, you are nearing the end of the ideal trimming window. Performing the cut while the plant is still dormant allows the new leaves to grow unimpeded, ensuring the foliage has its characteristic, aesthetically pleasing shape.
Choosing the Right Tools and Setup
The selection of a cutting tool depends entirely on the size of the area being maintained. For small, contained patches or narrow border edges, sharp manual or powered hedge shears offer the most precise control over the cutting height and angle. For medium-sized areas, a powerful string trimmer or weed eater can quickly shear back the foliage. The line on the trimmer should be held horizontally to the ground to achieve an even cut across the entire patch.
For large, flat expanses of monkey grass, a standard walk-behind lawnmower provides the fastest and most uniform result. Regardless of the tool chosen, the blades or cutting line must be sharp to ensure a clean cut, which minimizes stress on the plant and prevents tearing. Dull tools leave ragged edges that turn brown, detracting from the fresh look.
Step-by-Step Cutting Techniques
The goal of the cut is to remove the old foliage while avoiding damage to the plant’s crown (the base where the roots meet the leaves). The ideal cutting height is typically between one and three inches above the ground. Cutting lower than one inch risks damaging the crown, while cutting higher may leave too much old, brown material.
When using a lawnmower, set the deck to its highest possible height and push the mower slowly across the patch to avoid cutting into the crown. If using a string trimmer, employ a steady, sweeping motion across the top of the foliage, maintaining the target height consistently. For hedge shears, simply use a clean, shearing motion to cut the entire patch down to the desired height. After cutting, rake up or blow away all clippings to clear the soil surface, which allows for better air circulation and prevents disease.