Native Plant Alternatives to Liriope spicata (Creeping Lily Turf)

Liriope spicata, commonly known as creeping lilyturf or monkey grass, is a perennial, grass-like plant native to East Asia. It’s commonly used in landscaping for ground cover due to its tolerance of a variety of growing conditions and its attractive, evergreen foliage.

Creeping lily turf is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

While not invasive in every region, Liriope spicata is considered invasive in some areas, particularly in the southeastern United States. It spreads by rhizomes, forming dense mats that can outcompete native understory vegetation.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.