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Liriope spicata (Creeping Lilyturf)
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© MP Zhou, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Perennials

Liriope spicata

Creeping Lilyturf

AsparagaceaeChina, Japan, Vietnam

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 inches (20-30 cm)
Width24-36 inches (60-90 cm)
Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 10
Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9Zone 10
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsDeer ResistantDrought Tolerant
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Liriope spicata is creeping lilyturf — the aggressive spreading species, growing 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) tall and spreading indefinitely by stolons. The critical distinction from L. muscari: this species spreads aggressively by underground stolons, colonizing large areas rapidly. This is both its greatest asset (covers difficult shade areas quickly) and its greatest liability (can become invasive in garden beds). Shorter and more ground-hugging than the clumping L. muscari. Pale lavender to near-white flowers in small spikes are partially hidden in the foliage — less showy than L. muscari. The toughest ground cover for impossible conditions: deep shade, dry shade, tree root competition, slopes, poor soil, drought, and neglect. Hardy to zone 4 — hardier than L. muscari. Use only where aggressive spread is desired — never in mixed perennial beds. Shear in late winter. Mildly toxic. Deer avoid the foliage.

Native Range

Liriope spicata is native to China, Japan, and Vietnam.

Suggested Uses

Used as a large-scale aggressive ground cover for difficult shade, slopes, erosion control, and areas where nothing else will grow. NOT for mixed beds — the aggressive spread will overtake companions. The nuclear option for bare, impossible ground.

How to Identify

Identified by dark green grass-like evergreen foliage spreading aggressively by stolons (not clumping like L. muscari). Shorter (8–12 inches / 20–30 cm vs. 12–18 inches) with less showy pale lavender flowers. The stoloniferous spreading habit is the key species distinction.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'
Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

lavender
white

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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SummerFall
Flowering in August and September, approximately 3 weeks. Pale lavender, partially hidden. The evergreen ground cover is the primary function.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pale lavender to near-white, in small spikes partially hidden in the foliage

Foliage Description

Dark green, narrow, grass-like

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial ShadeFull ShadeFull Sun
Requires 1-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in any light condition (deep shade to full sun). Any soil. Shear to 3 inches in late winter. Use only where aggressive spread is desired. Hardy to zone 4. Mildly toxic.

Pruning

Shear all foliage to 3 inches in late February–March. Contain spread with edging or barriers if needed.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans