Photo of Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kioto' foliage by Forest & Kim Starr

Photo by Forest & Kim Starr

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Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kioto'

Also Known As

  • Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kyoto Dwarf'
  • Kyoto Dwarf Mondo Grass

Plant type

perennial, groundcover, grass / grass like

size

  • H: 2"-3"
  • W: 4"-12"

planting zones

  • 6b-9b

More Options

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kioto' plant details

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kioto' is an evergreen perennial groundcover grass (or grassy in appearance) with green foliage. In summer white flowers emerge followed by blue fruit. Features grassy texture. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kioto'

Plant type: perennial groundcover grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: asparagaceae, liliaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 4 IN - 12 IN - wide, 2 IN - 3 IN - tall
Flowers: white blooms in summer
Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, edging plant, larger quantity available, lawn alternative, pathway

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kioto'

USDA Zones: 6b - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

VERY dwarf and VERY choice, the tiny black-green tufts of leathery leaf fans make this gem a delightful underplanting for bonsai. S-PSh/M
Prized for it’s short stature and tufts of dramatic dark green leaves. Paired with small white blooms in the summer, this grass-like plant is perfect for a fairy garden or as an evergreen groundcover.

Gardening facts about Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kioto' plant

How to Grow Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kioto'

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • regular - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Fruit

    • blue
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • grassy

See other plant types of Ophiopogon for your garden

aka Ophiopogon 'Black Dragon', Ophiopogon nigrescens, Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Arabicus', Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Ebknizam', Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Ebony Knight', Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Niger', Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens', Ophiopogon planiscapus Ebony Knight®, Arabicus Black Mondo Grass, Arabicus Black Mondo Grass, Black Dragon Mondo Grass, Black Mondo Grass, Black Mondo Grass, Ebony Knight Black Mondo Grass

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

6a-10b

Size

Height: 6"-8"

Width: 12"-36"

  • sun - shade
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
Photo of Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Kokuryu' flower, foliage by Little Prince of Oregon
View Plant

aka Ophiopogon japonica 'Nana', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanum', Dwarf Mondo Grass, Dwarf Mondo Grass ~ Green

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

7a-10a

Size

Height: 2"-8"

Width: 6"-20"

  • sun - shade
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
Photo of Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus' foliage by plant lust
View Plant

aka Mondo Grass

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

7a-10b

Size

Height: 12"

Width: 12"

  • mostly sun - shade
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
Photo of Ophiopogon japonicus fruit by Kenpei
View Plant

More Options

aka Ophiopogon japonicus 'Albo-striatus', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Aritake', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Aritaki', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Silver Mist', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Variegata', Silver Mondo Grass, Variegata Silver Mist Mondo Grass

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

6a-10b

Size

Height: 12"-15"

Width: 15"-36"

  • sun - shade
  • occasional - drought tolerant
Photo of Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kigimafukiduma' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon
View Plant

More Options

aka Ophiopogon japonicus 'Gyoku-ryu', Dwarf Mondo Grass

Plant Type

Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

5a-10b

Size

Height: 2"-3"

Width: 8"-12"

  • mostly sun - shade
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
Photo of Ophiopogon japonicus 'Gyoku Ryu' foliage by Karl Gercens III
View Plant

More Options

+38 more Ophiopogon
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