Liriope, also known as lilyturf or monkey grass, is one of the best perennial plants for your summer garden. Seasoned gardeners use it as ground cover and sometimes to add colors to their color bed.
Liriope is a fast-growing non-toxic plant in two different varieties, Liriope Muscari and Liriope spicata.
They both are hardy, require minimal maintenance and care for their growth, and have little differences.
If you have planted a Liriope plant in your garden, you must wonder what good plants can be planted along it.
Do not worry; we have got you covered. Read this article, and you will get to know seven good companion plants of Liriope, which will help each other thrive.
It’s time to dive right into it. Let’s begin the article with the basics of why Liriope needs companion plants.
Why Does Liriope Need Companion Plants?
Liriope is an evergreen plant, which helps many other plants thrive, but why Liriope needs companion plants is the question.
Liriope needs companion planting as it has drought-tolerant properties and can withstand hot weather conditions. But after some time, it requires water and moisture in the soil.
Planting near a plant containing water and a bit of moisture can help Lirope sustain humid conditions with ease.
Liriope is also a summer plant that has trouble growing in winter conditions; winter plants will help Liriope and your garden by covering the off-season plants in winter.
They will complement each other in their different blooming conditions providing cover for any deficiency caused by unfavorable conditions.
Best Liriope Companion Plants
Many plants are on this list. Liriope mostly goes with any good healthy plant and helps other companions to thrive as well.
1. Geraniums
Geraniums belong to the Geraniaceae family. They are beautiful and very low-maintenance plants. Similar to Liriope, this plant loves to be in the sun and can get along in partial shade alongside Liriope.
Moreover, Geraniums are slow-growing plants with not many issues of pets or diseases whatsoever. They do even attract butterflies which act as pollinators in the garden.
Another benefit is it can be planted as both annuals and perennials. They bloom in spring and until fall. Geraniums add a vibrant visual to your garden when planted next to Liriope.
2. Blue Fescue
This beautiful bluish plant is adorable and looks stunning around green liriope plants.
Blue Fescue is an ornamental grass that blooms in June. Their coinciding blooming times make them the best neighbors.
It is similar to Liriope, likes to thrive in full sunlight, and has the ability to survive in partial shade. It is also drought-tolerant.
Even when it stops growing blue flowers, it has silvery blue foliage that keeps adding to the texture.
3. Hostas
A slow grower, Hostas are very beautiful plants and are often complimented for their buttery yellow and white foliage. Some consider Hostas toxic to pets, but its beauty and vibrancy make it hard for gardeners to resist.
Hostas have very similar growing requirements as Liriope. They like full sun to come onto them and prefer similar soil requirements as they both like to grow in well-moist soil.
Hostas and Lirope are planted together as they complement each other visually and through their growing needs.
4. Sedge
Another ornamental plant makes it to the list. A family member of Carex, Sedge, is mostly similar to Liriope Muscari.
There are many varieties of Sedge, but you would want to plant a Japanese Sedge next to your Liriope.
Another benefit of this plant is that it is deer resistant, and if you reside in a deer-affected area, this one is the perfect choice for your garden bed.
Sedge is an evergreen plant that does not compete with Liriope for growth; they can grow on dry soil, making them drought tolerant and viable for companion planting.
5. Ferns
Hard Ferns are every gardener’s favorite plant for planting next to Liriope plants. They are a very low-maintenance plant with almost no issues of pets and diseases.
Hard Ferns like Blechnum Spicant are the top choices for neighboring Liriope plants. They can do well in full sun and ideally require partial shade for growth.
In summer, Liriope planted next to Blechnum Spicant will look astonishing, making the garden stand out.
6. Spotted Deadnettle
Lamium maculatum, or Spotted Dead Nettle, is one of the prettiest plants you will encounter. The purple, pink, or white flowers it produces off the green leaves look breathtaking.
It has similar growing conditions as Liriope loves the sun and can adjust well to partial shade. They both like well-drained soil and sandy areas, why not plant them together for a beautiful garden?
7. Snowdrop Anemone
One of the most attractive and desired varieties of the genus, the Snowdrop Anemone looks absolutely stunning with its white flower.
It requires partial shade to full sunlight exposure; they produce lengthy flower stalks that complement each other very well.
They have a moderate growth rate and bloom in spring or early fall, sometimes making your garden extra attractive.
Similar growing needs and contrast make it a well-desired companion plant or Liriope.
Worst Companion Plants For Liriope
Liriope is a rapidly growing, vigorous plant that has the ability to take over your entire garden space in a short time.
It is a very easygoing plant and can go along with almost any plant, but it tends to hamper the growth of other slow-growing plants.
Plants that should be avoided are planted next to Liriope.
1. Anthurium
A genus of around 1000 species of flowering plants, Anthurium is advised not to plant next to Liriope as they are slow growing and will be down under Liriope before it even blooms.
Plants like ZZ plants, snake plants, and succulents are slow-growing plants and should be avoided growing near Liriope.
2. Black-Eyed Susan
Liriope is a drought-tolerant plant that can survive hot weather conditions but requires watering to thrive and bloom.
When drought-tolerant plants like Black-eyed Susan are planted near it, there will be a competition for water, and either Liriope will hamper it, or other plants will have root development issues.
What Are Liriope’s Growing Requirements?
Regardless of which variety of Liriope you are planting, it will be a very low-maintenance plant that has good survival instincts and will survive in almost any conditions.
Let us know the basic growing requirements of Liriope.
1. Soil Requirements
Liriope has the ability to withstand varieties of soil types but does not like wet and boggy soil. The ideal soil requirement of Liriope is well-draining soil, like sandy or clay soil.
2. Light Requirements
Liriope can tolerate full sunlight, performs well in partial shade, and withstand full shade. Liberty to have, isn’t it?
3. Water Requirements
During initial planting days, frequent water is required, but not every day, as you do not want to make the soil dump.
Generally, a Liriope plant needs an inch deep of water every week. And once the plant has been established, it can survive without water for days as it has drought-tolerant ability.
4. Fertilizing Requirements
There are no major fertilizer requirements for Liriope. Liriope can do well without it. However, it can benefit from a slow-release fertilizer in early spring or from organic plant food.
5. Temperature Requirements
Liriope plants prefer daytime temperatures with moderate heat. It can not tolerate winter temperatures and will eventually die when winter is back. It is a well-blooming summer plant for your garden.
Grass Diseases And Pests
Liriope is considered a healthy plant with no significant issues of diseases and pests, but like all plants, Liriope is also prone to some risks.
1. Anthracnose
Liriope is prone to this fungal infection, and it is known to have been affected when you see reddish-brown dots on your plant’s leaves.
This unpleasant sight is generally seen in late autumn and spoils the health and beauty after heavy rainfalls.
2. Scale Insects
Small bumps on the underside of the leaves are their doing; this scale insect not only damages the plant’s visual beauty but also attracts other pests towards it.
Other pets are attracted by honeydew, a sugary substance released by these scale insects after sucking the sap from plants on which they feed.
It can not only slow down your plant’s growth, but it can ultimately kill the plant if not controlled.
3. Root Rot
Many plants do not like water-logged soil, and Liriope is no exception. If Liriope remains in moisture for too long and does not have well-draining soil, it can be affected by root rot.
Add some sand or clay soil if your Liriope is in damp soil and the soil is not draining well.
Conclusion
Liriope is a trending garden choice and is even preferred to grow indoors. It not only adds vibrant beauty and contrast to your garden, but it also acts as a perfect landscape ornamental plant.
It can grow well with almost any plant but performs well when planted near the above-mentioned good companions.
I’m sure whichever plant you choose from the above list will look astonishing and help other plants thrive in your garden.