Variegated Types

• Several cultivars of Ophiopogon japonicus, including "Aureovariegatus" and "Variegatus," have attractive variegated foliage throughout the growing season. Both cultivars have pale green leaves with white or yellow stripes that run the length of each leaf. The cultivars are very similar to one another in appearance, making it difficult to tell the difference between them at times.
  
  

Propagation

• Like other cultivars of monkey grass, variegated monkey grass grows in dense clumps. You can dig up the clumps of variegated monkey grass in spring, break the clumps apart with a hand shovel and replant the divisions in your landscape. Water the new plantings thoroughly after planting and maintain a regular watering regime for several weeks to maintain soil moisture. The small divisions will quickly establish new growth and develop the characteristic dense clump of grass through the growing season.
  
  

Uses

• Monkey grass makes an attractive evergreen ground cover in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 7 though 10. The plants grow in a wide range of soil and environmental conditions. The plants grow well in full sunlight and tolerate partial shade. They are commonly used to line walkways and fill space under trees with thick roots that can be difficult to cultivate turf grass and mow.
  
  

Culture

• Monkey grass requires very little attention once established in your property and will self-propagate and spread if left alone. The plants are generally disease- and pest-free in home landscapes, but snails and slugs sometimes feed on the foliage. Water plants planted in full sunlight during the summer to maintain the attractive variegated colors in the foliage. Monkey grass produces small lavender flowers in late spring, but they are often hidden from view by the foliage.