Liriope spicata aka Creeping Liriope
Taxonomy
Liriope spicata, also known as creeping lilyturf, creeping liriope, lilyturf, and monkey grass, is a low, herbaceous flowering plant native to East Asia. This evergreen perennial is commonly used as groundcover in temperate climates and is highly popular in the southeastern United States and similar regions. It forms dense clumps of grass-like leaves, which are green with white stripes, and grows up to 25cm tall. In late summer, it produces slender spikes of tiny purple flowers. The flowers are followed by single-seeded berries on a spike in the fall. Lilyturf is a useful plant for dry shade, and its leaves can reach up to 18 inches in length, turning from dark green to bronze-green in winter. The spike-like clusters of flowers appear in mid to late summer and range in color from pale violet to white. The plant belongs to the Asparagaceae family, also known as the asparagus family, and its fruit is a blue-black berry.
Common names
Creeping Liriope, Creeping LilyturfHow to care for Creeping Liriope
Difficulty
Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Creeping Liriope due to its easy-going nature.
Water
Creeping Liriope should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Creeping Liriope loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Creeping Liriope prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Toxicity
Creeping Liriope is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
Fertilizer
The growth of Creeping Liriope is gradual and it doesn't necessitate any additional fertilizers. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should suffice to provide the plant with sufficient nutrition. It's important to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun's rays, not fertilizers.
Growth-pattern
The Creeping Liriope is a clumping species, with new growth arising from the soil surrounding the parent plant.
Region of origin
Creeping Liriope’s native range is E. Asia - China.
More info:
Wikipedia
