Black Mondo Grass
Best low maintenance plant for adding dramatic garden color.
This perennial groundcover offers a striking, near-black foliage that provides dramatic contrast in any garden setting. Its compact, clumping habit makes it ideal for edging and borders, while its evergreen nature ensures year-round visual appeal. Though it produces subtle lavender flowers and berries in summer, its primary draw is its unique, dark coloration. It forms dense clumps that gradually widen, perfect for softening stonework or contrasting with brighter plants.
$18.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
3078
/ 4602
#3078 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-35%
Below average
Uses
Groundcover, border edging, contrast planting, mass plantings, containers, patio pots
/ Groundcover, border edging, contrast planting, mass plantings, containers, patio pots
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking bold, sophisticated visual impact in their landscape designs.
- Busy individuals or new gardeners desiring beautiful, easy-to-manage groundcover.
- Creative landscapers and home gardeners exploring unique plant applications.
Who should skip it
- Impatient gardeners needing rapid coverage for expansive garden beds.
- Gardeners with predominantly full-sun or deep-shade planting locations.
- Budget-conscious consumers looking for inexpensive, widespread planting solutions.
Performance breakdown
Visual Contrast
The deep, near-black foliage creates an unmatched dramatic garden focal point.
Maintenance Ease
Slow growth and evergreen nature minimize the need for constant pruning.
Versatility
Adapts seamlessly to containers, borders, or as a dense groundcover.
Hardiness Range
Reliable performance across a broad spectrum of USDA climate zones.
Drought Tolerance
Requires consistent moisture to maintain its lush, dark appearance.
Growth Speed
Slow expansion requires patience for filling in large landscape areas.
Key Specs
Uses
Groundcover, border edging, contrast planting, mass plantings, containers, patio pots
Benefits
Deep near-black evergreen foliage, compact clumping habit, strong contrast against lighter plants, dependable performance in a range of light conditions
USDA Hardiness Zones
5–10
Sun Exposure
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle
Hardy Perennial
Growth Habit
Clumping, Groundcover — dense tufts that slowly expand
Bloom Color
Pale Lavender
Foliage Color
Deep Purple to Black
Know before you buy
This plant has a slow growth rate. It forms dense, compact clumps that expand gradually over time, making it a reliable choice for edging where you want to avoid aggressive spreading.
Yes, it thrives in both full sun and partial shade. While it is versatile, ensure the soil remains consistently moist, as it is not highly drought-tolerant.
The foliage is a deep, dark purple that appears near-black to the eye. It provides the best contrast when planted next to lighter-colored stones, gravel, or bright green foliage.
Yes, Black Mondo Grass is an evergreen perennial. It will maintain its dark color and structure throughout the year in USDA zones 5 through 10.
Black Mondo Grass is not considered deer-resistant. If you live in an area with high deer activity, you may need to use protective measures to keep them from grazing on the foliage.
It performs best in well-drained soil. Ensure the planting site does not stay waterlogged, as this can lead to root issues despite the plant's need for medium moisture levels.
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$19