If you are searching for “Can you grow Black Mondo grass indoors?”, here you will find all the things you must know about growing and caring for this plant indoors from its indoor size and appearance to pro tips for keeping it elegant.
Black Mondo grass, scientifically known as Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens,’ is a popular ornamental plant often grown indoors and outdoors for its unique appearance. One of the things that I love about this plant is its dark leaves which add a dramatic and elegant contrast to my indoor décor and arrangements.
In addition, there are a lot of stories about this striking plant in Feng shui that increase its popularity among indoor gardeners. If you are a fan of Black Mondo grass indoors, join this article.
➡ You can listen to this article too.
Black Mondo Grass Indoors: Its Appearance
Lets to start our journey with what Black Mondo Grass looks like when grown indoors.
Black Mondo Grass Indoors: Foliage
- This ornamental plant is renowned for its dark, almost black foliage. It will cause a most distinctive feature.
- The leaves are slender and strap-like, typically growing in clumps.
- The leaves can grow up to 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) in height.
- They have a glossy, shiny surface.
Black Mondo Grass Indoors: Flowers
If you love flowering indoor plants, unfortunately, black mondo grass may occasionally bloom in indoor conditions. But if you are lucky, you may spot its small, insignificant pink or white flowers. They are on short stalks. However, don’t worry, the small flowers of black mondo grass are not the primary attraction of this plant.
The Size of Black Mondo Grass Indoors
As mentioned above Black mondo grass is a relatively compact and low-growing indoor plant. It makes it perfect for indoor cultivation and smaller spaces.
Black mondo grass typically can grow to a height of about 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters). It can fit well on windowsills, tabletops, or in small decorative containers.
As you found out, this plant forms clumps of foliage that gradually spread. Over time, a mature clump may have a spread of 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) or more. However, its growth rate is relatively slow, so it remains a compact plant for a long time.
Growth Habit of Black Mondo Grass Indoors
This plant is perfect for container gardening and indoor cultivation due to its clumping and low-growing habit. Although it spread slowly, it forms dense mounds of foliage, creating a visually appealing and compact display.
Let to speak more about its spreading habit. Black mondo grass spreads slowly via underground Rhizomes. These Rhizomes allow the plant to gradually increase in size and form larger clumps over time.
lets watch a video about growing and caring for Black Mondo grass:
How to Grow Black Mondo Grass Indoors?
Lets to have a rewarding experience with relatively low-maintenance indoor plants. Here you will find a step-by-step guideline to successfully cultivate Black Mondo grass indoors.
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Choose your Container:
Please note that you should use a well-draining pot or container with a drainage hole at the bottom. It is critical to prevent waterlogging and root rot. If you are interested in taking advantage of planting in a cachepot, I showed you how to plant in pots without holes in my previous article, please read it.
When growing black mondo grass indoors, a container with a diameter of 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimetres) is generally sufficient to accommodate its size. You can choose a larger pot if you want to allow room for it to spread, but it is not necessary for the plant’s health.
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Add a Potting Mix:
Please add a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. I recommend using a mix formulated for succulents or cacti, it is often suitable.
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Best practice for Planting:
Black mondo grass propagates by dividing the mature plant. Hence you must plant your yang black mondo grass at the same depth its parent was in its previous container or nursery pot. It is important to ensure the crown of the plant (where the leaves meet the roots) is at or slightly above the soil surface.
Now, let to find pro tips for caring for your Black Mondo Grass indoors.
Black Mondo Grass Indoors Care
to ensure the health and aesthetic appeal of black mondo grass, you must consider some specific considerations about Caring for it. Here, you will find some pro tips for successfully caring for this ornamental indoor plant.
Light Requirements of Black Mondo Grass Indoors
You must provide bright, indirect light for your black mondo grass. It thrives in well-lit areas, but you must avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch its dark leaves. If natural light is insufficient, consider using a grow light designed for indoor plants.
Watering Requirements of Black Mondo Grass Indoors
To water this plant, you must keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. To do it you should water thoroughly when the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry to the touch. A pro tip is using a well-draining potting mix and ensuring the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogged roots.
Humidity Requirements of Black Mondo Grass Indoors
The good news is that black mondo grass can adapt to average indoor humidity levels. However, I recommend occasional misting or placing a tray of water and pebbles nearby to increase humidity, especially in dry indoor environments.
Temperature Requirements of Black Mondo Grass Indoors
It will be ideal if you maintain indoor temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C) during the day and slightly cooler at night. Avoid exposing it to drafts or extreme temperature fluctuations.
Fertilization of Black Mondo Grass Indoors
Like most of the houseplants, you should fertilize it with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season (spring and summer) every 4-6 weeks. As you know, you must reduce or stop fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows down.
Repotting of Black Mondo Grass Indoors
Similar to other indoor plants you must repot your black mondo grass every few years. It is necessary to refresh the soil and provide more room for growth. The best time for repotting black mondo grass is typically Spring.
Pest and Disease Management of Black Mondo Grass Indoors
Keep your eyes on the common tiny bugs on your house plant like spider mites or mealybugs. If you notice any issues, you must get rid of them promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Avoid Overcrowding
Due to the striking appearance of Black monda grass, most people like to plant it in mixed containers or arrangements with other indoor plants. Before doing it, please ensure there’s enough space for it to grow without becoming overcrowded. This allows it to maintain its distinctive appearance.
Best Soil pH for Black Mondo Grass Indoors
Black mondo grass prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil conditions. Check the pH of your potting mix, and adjust, if necessary, by using an appropriate soil amendment.
Rotate the Plant
A pro tip for Black mondo grass and almost all indoor plants is you should periodically rotate their containers to ensure even light exposure on all sides of the plant. It will prevent it from leaning or growing unevenly.
Put It in Outdoor Sometimes
If possible, your black mondo grass loves occasionally to be in outdoor exposure during the warmer months. It allows your plant to benefit from natural rainwater and exposure to fresh air.
Conclusion
Now you have all the things that you need to grow your Black Mondo Grass indoors. I provided you with a step-by-step guideline for growing it in a container and gave you pro tips for caring for this elegant indoor plant.
Do you have a black Mondo grass pot or want to buy one of them? do you know about the tips for buying an indoor plant? Why do you like to add this plant to your houseplant collection? Please share your ideas and experiences with our readers below this page.
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.