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How to Get Rid of Monkey Grass
How to Get Rid of Monkey Grass
The following question came in to our Ask the Expert blog, where lawn care authority and Spring-Green franchisee trainer Harold Enger fields a variety of questions. This particular individual wanted to know one thing: how to get rid of monkey grass.
“I have a lot of monkey grass in my yard; do you recommend mowing to cut it back or do you recommend a trimmer? Thanks”
"Mr. Morris,
Thank you for submitting your question. I am not sure if you are looking to control and remove your Liriope (monkey grass) or just want to keep it in check. There are two varieties of Liriope that look very similar. One variety usually stays in small clumps, but the other variety spreads by underground roots called rhizomes. This is the type that will spread out and often invades lawns.
If you want to get rid of monkey grass, the only way to control it is to use a product that contains glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-Up. Be careful spraying Round-Up in your lawn as it is a non-selective herbicide and will kill both the Liriope and your desired grass. The Liriope has to be actively growing in order to control it and it may require two to three applications before you are able to get rid of your monkey grass. If you have a Bermuda grass lawn, you may be able to spray Round-Up to control the Liriope before the Bermuda breaks dormancy without damaging it. Mowing it does not usually affect the growth of the plant, and it will come back."
Do you have a lawn care question you’ve been dying to get answered? Ask our Lawn Care Expert, Harold! 