Lomandra confertifolia
clumped matrush
Overview
Lomandra confertifolia is a tufted, grass-like perennial in the family Asparagaceae, forming dense clumps 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) tall and 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) wide. The slender, wiry leaves are flat to channelled, 1-3 mm wide and up to 16 inches (40 cm) long, ranging from green to blue-green depending on subspecies. Plants are dioecious, with separate male and female individuals. Small cream to pale yellow flowers are clustered along short, branched spikes held among or just below the foliage in spring; male flowers release a light scent. Female plants form hard, rounded capsules containing several seeds. The species grows naturally in eastern Australia on sandy and rocky soils in open forest, woodland, and heath, often on exposed slopes. It withstands drought, frost, and poor soils once established, and regenerates from a fibrous, clumping rootstock. The narrow foliage forms a low, arching mound that holds its colour through dry periods. Several subspecies and selected forms vary in leaf width, height, and foliage colour. In cultivation it requires free-draining soil and tolerates both full sun and part shade, though clumps remain denser in brighter positions. Prolonged waterlogging causes root decline.
Native Range
Lomandra confertifolia occurs in eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria. It grows on sandy and rocky soils in open eucalypt forest, woodland, and heath, often on slopes and ridgelines.Suggested Uses
Planted in mass groundcover, border edging, rockeries, and erosion control on slopes. Suited to low-water and native gardens, coastal sites, and container plantings. Combines with other tufting perennials in mixed plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'8"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring, from September to November in its native range. Small cream to pale yellow flowers are clustered on short, branched spikes held among the leaves, and male plants release a light scent. The display is modest against the foliage.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to pale yellowFoliage Description
green to blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Lomandra confertifolia in full sun to part shade in free-draining sandy, loamy, or rocky soil. Water through the first season to establish the clump, after which the plant withstands extended dry periods. It tolerates frost, heat, coastal exposure, and low-fertility soils. Trim old foliage in late winter to refresh the clump. Prolonged waterlogging and heavy, poorly drained soils cause root rot. Division of established clumps in cool months propagates named forms.Pruning
Cut back or comb out old leaves in late winter to remove spent foliage and tidy the clump. Lomandra confertifolia resprouts from the base, so clumps can be cut to 4 inches (10 cm) to renew growth. Routine pruning is otherwise minimal.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons